If the Flames get 1st overall, the only trades I would make is to move down to #2 or #3 spot no further. I want to walk away with at least one of the top tier players (Jones, Mackinnon, Drouin). If trading down from 1st to 3rd overall can get you an early second rounder, I am all for it. The Flames need quality (one of the top 3) as well as quantity (1 mid first, 1 end 1st, 1 early 2nd). If there is some way to package 2 of these picks to get someone who is falling (Ristolainen, Nurse, or that Russian guy) package the 18th and early second rounder for the 8th-12th overall pick.
I don't think you make these trades until draft day as you don't know who will be available, but I do hope that the Flames are being proactive and looking into scenarios to get the guys they are targeting.
With this draft the Flames could go from a bottom 5 system to a top 10 system, really quickly. Especially with the progress Sieloff, Wotherspoon, Gillies, and Gaurdreau took this year.
Also next season I would not allow any of my picks to play in the NHL. Give them one more year of seasoning in Junior no point in starting there arbitration clock when the team has no chance of competing.
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