My thoughts ...
1. My biggest fear is the Flames doing something stupid. I have no reason to believe the staff would do something stupid, they have more mgmt depth strength than ever before, but if they skipped one of the top four for a Ritchie and struck out it would eat away at us all for years to come.
2. #1 above gets alleviated somewhat with the Ritchie talk from the Sportsnet guys. Flames aren't an island on this anymore.
3. If this is smoke and mirrors the Sportsnet thing helps the Flames a tonne. May generate that team that wants Ritchie to do something stupid, which is all right by me.
4. Volatility can only help a team like Calgary with Burke and draft trading experience in his hip pocket. If it's a slam dunk top four then you don't get moving pieces, and without moving pieces you don't get the chance to make moves that can really re-shape the draft.
5. I'm not so sure moving down isn't a better and better idea now that it's no longer a top 2, or 3 or possibly 4 draft. Given this draft is weaker than the predecessor and successor it could be a great chance to add draft assets.
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