I wrote a blog in an attempt to balance some of the enthusiasm regarding our prospects. I really like what the Flames have done with the system over a short period of time. But I think people need to be cautious in expecting a top 6 of Baertschi-Monahan-Gaudreau / Klimchuk-Jankowski-Poirier (as an example) in the near future (or really ever).
I remember Edmonton fan's anointing players like Cogliano, Gagner, and Paajarvi as the future of their franchise. Lets not be Edmonton fans.
In my opinion the Flames have a number of options developing at a number of positions (including players with RFA status):
Gaudreau---NONE---NONE
Baertschi, Klimchuk---Monahan, Jankowski, Granlund---Poirier
Agostino---Kinght, Horak, Backlund, Arnold---Galiardi
Elson---Reinhart, Bouma---Harrison, Elson
NONE
Brodie, Wotherspoon, Culkin
Ramage, Butler, Russell, Billins, Sieloff, Cundari, Breen, Roy, Kulak, Kanzig
Gilles, Brossoit
Ortio, Berra
That might be a slightly cautious projection of our prospects. But people should keep in mind that many of our prospects won't meet their draft day potential and many others won't play meaningful games in the NHL. (Gagner was a 6-overall pick and to many Edmonton fans he was ABSOLUTELY going to be a top line player)
The Flames are going to have to hope some players exceed projections, that they get more support in the draft (preferably in the form of top 3 picks), that they have enough prospects gain value that they can be in the conversation next time an elite player becomes available, and that they can fill in the gaps via trade and free agency.
But that is going to take time. Perhaps a lot of time. The Flames don't have much of a foundation to build on.
The moral of the post being: Be excited, its is exciting times and the Flames are finally moving in the right direction. But also be patient, there is a long bumpy road ahead and anyone expecting a quick turn around will be disappointed.
Full blog here if anyone wants to read it:
http://fans.flames.nhl.com/community...the-prospects/