For those old enough (and so inclined), \u201cThe Process\u201d is an indelible watershed moment\u2014either as an act of managerial bravery or as a case of autocratic incompetence, depending on your team-building philosophy. Sam Hinkie, the former general manager of the Philadelphia 76ers (2013\u20132016), ushered in \u201cThe Process\u201d era under the rubric of advanced analytics. His philosophy was that, to achieve greatness, you must put yourself in the best position to acquire elite assets. How do you do that? Tanking.<\/p>\n
Objectively, his plan was a failure, but I contend that his premise was not. He executed it poorly, had some bad luck, and presented himself as an unlikable protagonist. But at its core, the idea is a good one. We\u2019ll get back to this.<\/p>\n
The Winnipeg Jets are frequently cited as the smallest market in the NHL. Columbus, Ottawa, Buffalo, and Florida all compete for this undesired distinction, but according to an anonymous player poll in The Athletic, the Jets sit atop most NHL players\u2019 no-trade lists<\/a>. This means Winnipeg is the least-favourite destination for NHL free agents.<\/p>\n This makes Kevin Cheveldayoff\u2019s job difficult, but not impossible.<\/p>\n Consider the following: The Edmonton Oilers picked Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl first and third overall, respectively, in back-to-back drafts in 2014 and 2015. Between 2013 and 2017, the Avalanche drafted Nathan MacKinnon (first overall), Cale Makar (third overall), and Mikko Rantanen (tenth overall), all in the top 10. Sidney Crosby (first overall) and Evgeni Malkin (second overall) were drafted consecutively in 2004 and 2005. Victor Hedman (second overall) and Steven Stamkos (first overall) went back-to-back in 2008 and 2009.<\/p>\n What Does Tanking Do?<\/p>\n The point here is not subtle. The common thread is absolute futility for two to three years, with the reward being the acquisition of generational star players\u2014not good players, but elite ones.<\/p>\n To be clear, a great deal more goes into team-building than acquiring elite talent. Building out a roster is a fragile tapestry. I also don\u2019t want to conflate correlation with causation. The Oilers, Avalanche, Penguins, and Lightning have all had extended periods of greatness with the stars above, but by no means am I suggesting that landing talent of this nature is a complete solution in a vacuum.<\/p>\n What I am saying, however, is that it really, really helps. Who are the exciting, up-and-coming teams in the NHL right now? I would argue that the San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks fit that bill. Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, Leo Carlsson, and Beckett Sennecke were all drafted in the top five of the NHL Draft in successive seasons.<\/p>\n NHL Teams Tanking in the Past<\/p>\n The examples above highlight the importance of acquiring high draft picks, but tanking in the NHL is neither as flagrant nor as accepted as it is in the NBA. That said, there is precedent. For example:<\/p>\n i) The 1983\u201384 Pittsburgh Penguins: Often cited as the most overt example,<\/a> the Penguins actively dismantled their team to secure the top pick for Mario Lemieux, including trading star defenseman Randy Carlyle and demoting their strong-performing goaltender, Roberto Romano, to the AHL in favour of the demonstrably worse Vincent Tremblay.<\/p>\n ii) The 2014\u201315 Buffalo Sabres: Sabres management dismantled the roster<\/a> to maximize their odds of drafting Connor McDavid. Despite finishing last, they did not win the lottery, losing out on McDavid but drafting Jack Eichel\u2014not a terrible consolation prize.<\/p>\n