Calgary Flames fans asked for a rebuild. Now comes the hard part

This is a rebuild.

Whether repeating that line to a caller on the post-game show or to myself, those four words comprise the core theme of this Calgary Flames season.

It just so happens a difficult 1-5 start, even after a solid 4-2 win over Anaheim on Tuesday night, has that message being delivered early and often.

But it’s an important refrain.

Hordes of Flames fans have been clamouring for this for years. And this is a long-term plan that includes trading away important core pieces for future assets, building through the draft and temporarily icing a roster that gives up a lot of talent to many opponents.

Rebuilds are hard. They involve more losing than winning. They’re hard on players and coaches. But in a modern-day NHL governed by a salary cap, building from the ground up is the most effective way to compete for championships and long playoff runs.

Calgary is committed to the process. Even after a trying start to this season, it has been reiterated to me multiple times how much belief the organization has in general manager Craig Conroy’s blueprint. That’s a crucial part of the puzzle, because patience is mandatory for this vision to bear the intended fruit.

There’s a fine line between patience and acceptance, of course. The Flames can’t be — and aren’t — OK with many of their early efforts. Losses are easier to swallow when the team is competitive and the work rate is high. They need efforts like the past two against Anaheim to be the norm going forward.

And while Calgary’s hard-working identity noticeably is returning, it’s also fair to assume there will be more tough stretches this season. Sometimes those stretches will be hard to watch as a fan, even one who staunchly believes in the team’s current direction.

That’s when repeating those four words might come in handy: This is a rebuild.

And if the Flames come anywhere close to their end goal, these early stumbles will be more than worth it.

The more I’m around Ryan Strome, the more I’m convinced he’s exactly what the Flames need in their locker room right now.

Acquired from Anaheim at last season’s trade deadline, Strome has instantly become one of Calgary’s trusted voices. Strome gave us another example earlier this week when Postmedia’s Danny Austin asked him about being a leader during a tough stretch.

“I think just work ethic,” Strome said. “I mean, it’s so corny but, I think last week especially, I tried to be the hardest worker on the ice and really grind it out. And I think if guys see a 14 or 15-year guy doing it, everyone does it.

“I think just understanding the situations, understanding what guys are going through at certain times. Right now, obviously, there are some guys feeling good and some guys not feeling good. So, knowing (when) to pick a guy up, knowing (when) to raise your voice.

“I was talking with my wife … sometimes you probably don’t realize the weight of your words as a guy that’s been around so long, right? You have to really help people and try to be a good teammate.”

Closing in on 1,000 NHL games, Strome has been on plenty of teams at different stages. From rebuilding with the Islanders and Ducks to contending teams like the Rangers, Strome is the type of voice needed for a team in the spot Calgary is.

Two things to keep in mind with forward Sam Honzek, who is listed week-to-week with a lower body injury.

It doesn’t sound like a long-term ailment and the team is hopeful it’ll be on the shorter (two or three weeks) end of a week-to-week classification. Honzek hasn’t skated since the loss to Colorado this past Thursday when the injury occurred.

I’m also not ready to label the 2023 first-round pick as “injury prone” too quickly.

Yes, Honzek has dealt with early injuries to start the last three NHL seasons. Last year’s shoulder injury, for instance, required surgery and ended his season prematurely in November.

But Honzek, who has noticeably added size and strength the past two summers, reminds me a lot of his captain. Mikael Backlund battled the same thing early in his career and has since turned into one of the league’s most durable players. Over the past eleven seasons, this year included, Backlund has missed a total of just 14 games.

I still think the Connor Zary story has more chapters to be written.

The Flames have continued to listen on trade conversations since sending him to the American League last week and now Zary controls a lot of what happens next. Continuing to play well with the Wranglers, which he has early on, is Zary’s best ticket to get back to the NHL — either with Calgary or somewhere else.

Danny Austin and I discussed Strome on QR Calgary’s Flames Now this week, and we’re on the same page: There should be legit discussion about signing the pending free agent back, if only on a short-term deal. That’s how important I think he can be as this rebuild progresses.

Pat Steinberg is the host of Calgary Flames Hockey and Flames Now on QR Calgary and has been covering the team full-time since 2009.