The Flames will not be competing for the playoffs next season.
Even the terrible teams like Chicago, the clock is ticking now to get some pieces and improve. Bedard has 2 years left of his ELC and that 2nd contract will likely be a big one. You need to make some strides this next 2 years, maybe even gun for a playoff appearance after this year. I can't see them trying to bottom out again. They got a franchise changer.
Same goes for San Jose. They have sucked for a long time now, its time to get a bit better. If Macklin is on the roster the clock starts ticking.
You always have some wild cards to suck as well, the Senators and Utah are always in the mix, although I can't see Smith spending 1.3 billion and ice a team that will pick in the lottery.
Some teams will dip, I expect LA to take a big step back, but they are not as bad as the Flames.
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