If the Flames aren't buyers at the deadline (which they shouldn't be)... you can realistically say the earliest they'll be competitive again will be in at least 2 years (probably 3 or 4).
The only guys on the roster currently signed for that season:
Baertschi
Hudler
Tanguay
Glencross
Wideman
Giordano
Reinhart
Ferland
It's reasonable to say the following RFAs will still be here:
Backlund
Byron
Brodie
Ortio
Horak
Bouma
Plus you will have these guys fighting for spots on new ELCs:
Granlund
Gaudreau
Jankowski
Arnold
Sieloff
Wotherspoon
Ramage
and a handful of other prospects who could surprise in that year or the couple years following.
If you're rebuilding, anyone not on this list should be strongly considered to be traded for assets anytime between now & then. If you're realistic in that you won't be competitive again until some of these younger guys have their feet wet, accepting some growing pains is necessary.
Where the problem lies, is since the Flames have been a "cap team" for so long, if the fans/owners/etc see the team not using all their money to try to buy some of the best players in the league, the poop will hit the fan. So that's likely holding them back from doing a full fire sale for picks & prospects.
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