from Damien Cox of Sportsnet,

So what other clubs could make a similar declaration as the Rangers and have their fans accept it? And what clubs couldn’t?

Chicago would be an obvious candidate, sitting 10 points out of the playoffs in the west. GM Stan Bowman has achieved a great deal and generated much goodwill. He would be trusted by many fans if he were to announce a rebuild. What many forget, however, is that when the Blackhawks were terrible in the early part of the century, attendance plummeted. From 2003-07, average attendance fell well below 14,000 a game in the cavernous United Centre, which holds almost 22,000.

For 10 seasons, the Hawks have averaged more than 20,000 fans per game. It wouldn’t be easy to go back to the old days. Rocky Wirtz might frown on a reduction in gate receipts.

Anaheim, with veteran forwards Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, could probably sell a letter announcing a rebuild. GM Bob Murray has done well in drafting and developing young players over the years, so he’s got the credentials.

Detroit would be an interesting case. Red Wings fans are terribly spoiled after more than two decades of success and stars. GM Ken Holland has been there for all of it. He’s trying to rebuild on the fly while riding the wave of interest in a new building. So far, so fairly good, except he doesn’t really have the young star power to make Detroit fans forget all the high-end talent that has retired or moved on. If Holland continues down the current path, it’s going to get harder and harder for him to be the one behind it if Detroit decides to go for a more aggressive rebuilding strategy.

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