The Flames are missing the following:
1) Elite level talent. How many scorers do the Flames have in the top 25 in the NHL? 0, Jarome is about 3 years removed from being an elite level talent and no one has stepped up to replace him.
2) Size, theay are small and soft. Need some grit, just look at the games in LA, pushed around all night. Hudler, Tanguay, Backlund, Cammy, Cervenka, Brodie, Butler, Wideman got pushed around all game
3) Centermen Backlund can be a number 2... Just have to protect him against big 1st line Centers, he can play effectively against the, Briere's, Kadri's Bozaks, Backstroms, Plekanekec, Ribiero's etc. just not the Crosby's, Malkins, Kopitars, Getzlafs, Benns of the world.
4) Youth- Old team with a barren system, only one prospect that may have an influence in next season is Baertschi. Gaudreau, Jankowski, Reinhart, Sieloff, Gillies are 2-4 years away.
Basically the Flames should be building towards a roster ready to compete in 3 years. All decisions from now on should be made with that in mind.
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