Quote:
Originally Posted by CliffFletcher
Yep. The Flames aren't just dealing with a weak prospect base - they're dealing with a gaping chest-wound where the 21-28 year old talent should be. Brodie and Backlund aren't Price, Subban, and Pacioretty. And they aren't Richards and Carter. You re-tool when you have a couple young pieces of a core already in place, to build around or trade for other assets. The Flames don't. We have to build a new core almost from scratch, and it will take years.
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I understand that this is a glass half empty time for the Flames.... BUT
Glencross and Cammalleri and Hudler are top six forwards on basically any nhl team. If any one of them would have been traded the other team would be looking at them to fill a top 6 role. Backlund seems to be ready to move into a top 6 role.
Brodie Gio and Wideman likewise are top 4 d-men. They need some tougher guys than Smith and Butler to do the dirty work required to win in the NHL. If Carson hits anyone and everyone that he comes close to over the next 15 games he will get a look next year.
Add in Baertshi and the #1 pick 2013 and 2 UFA signings...out of Clarkson, Iginla or Horton and there is a solid core.
The signed (guys the Flames are stuck with for another year) support players Stajan, Stempniak and Jackman are not that bad as 3rd/4th liners.....and would be picked up by an NHL team if the Flames bought them out.
I think the Flames will buy out Sarich and Tanguay.
The Flames have to realize that everyone that they bring in has to be first and foremost tough..and willing to play the body and good team players.
Feaster went away from the Flames grinders and went too far to small skilled soft players....... .
I have been pointing this out since before they started playing the games for real in 2013. The experiment was a total failure.
there is ABSOLUTELY NO ROOM on this team for UFA Mason Raymond
Bouma and Alui have a better chance and need to make this team than Byron and I am sad to say Horak. Rienhardt might be able to make the grade and have enough jam as a checking centre.....
On the goalie front..... the Flames had nobody solid in that position when Kipper showed up. Every year there seems to be someone who totally unexpected gets their chance and plays better than the average NHL goalie.