[BACKCHECK!!!]

What I expect we'll probably see in about 4 years:

Baertschi - Backlund - UFA
UFA/Trade - 1st rnd '13 - Re-tread Iginla
Glencross - Jankowski - 1st rnd '14
Arnold - - Bouma - Scrub

Giordano - UFA
Wideman - Brodie
Breen - Butler

Shooter tutor
Gillies/Ortio

This team will be about as bad as the Oilers are now.

As you can see, I think it will take many years to find a franchise goalie to replace Kipper, and in the meantime we will see the same stunning success we've seen in net, outside of Kipper, since Vernon left.

I think Gaudreau is too small to make it in the show. If he does, he will likely follow a trajectory like Marty St Louis, who didn't break 40 pts until he was 27 years old.

Jankowski was the most 'raw' prospect (and youngest, IIRC), and came from the lowest league, of anyone taken in the 1st round. Which means if he's ever going to be a top-6 NHLer (a Big 'if') he has a very, very long journey. I expect another 6 years or so, something like 2 college, 2 AHL, and 2 sheltered NHL (but he'll still only be 24).

But this team will probably suck in four years because:
1) Defencemen usually take until at least 25 years old before they get good
2) The only solid Flames prospect who will hit that stride in the next 4 years is Breen
3) Other than Baertschi, the only prospects with projected top-6 ceilings are all off-the-board picks who have huge obstacles to overcome.
4) Michael Backlund may be the best centre on this team. I figure he'll be comparable to Kesler (minus the diving), but not a "True Number 1 Centre".
5) Elite centres are very hard to get. And even if the Flames draft one in 2013, 4 years from now he will still only be 21-ish.

BACKCHECK!!!'s Key to Victory:
Do whatever it takes to acquire a new franchise goalie ASAP.