[Ziggy Lidstrom]

I agree with jiri more so than any other opinion. Yet, I will stress the importance of having young players to contribute substantially while playing on their entry-level deals. This imperative indicates that scouting has become even more important in the 'Salary Cap Era'. These types of players are tough commodities to acquire. Next year will be a big one for the flames if Backlund can come in stronger and produce at a high-clip.

Now if you can't procure the aforementioned commodities, you need to be clever enough to identify ones that could become available. IMO, Nicklas Backstrom would be an ideal candidate to sign to a big RFA deal. 6 million plus costs you 3 first rounders. I will never forget when Sergei federov was an RFA and carolina balked at giving up the first round picks as compensation. The only first rounder to ever amount to anything was Aaron ward.

Button and sutter better pray that Brodie, nemisz, Erixon, Wahl, Howse and pelech turn out to be real contributors since the flames have finally addressed the development system by locking into a deal with abbotsford as long as they have. The only excuse those two can use is draft position and that is getting tired. If this team doesn't win a cup with its current prospects graduating before Iggy, Reggie and Kipp move on, you blow the whole thing up and really stink it up like, pittsburgh stink.