[GranteedEV]

These have been running through my head:

5) As short-sighted as a lot of his moves seemed, it was Darryl Sutter that first really placed emphasis on establishing a truly effective farm system and he made some serious strides on that front. It was Jay Feaster that made a lot of these draft picks in late rounds. All of our GMs over the years are partially responsible for what's on the ice right now and I never disliked any of these class acts. Yeah, there came times where changes were necessary, but never did any GM truly fail us in terms of long-term thinking. Just an ovation from me to Flames management AND former flames management.

4) I can't decide which new Flames jersey to buy. Too many options. Kinda wanna get a Hudler jersey, since he sort of brought that "Red Wings" mentality of never-quitting, but I worry he might be gone in a year. A lot of more safe bets in guys like Monahan, Brodie, Gaudreau, on the other hand. I want a new Flames jersey or twelve. Just love this entire TEAM.

3) I really want to pair Smid with a skating d-man. I noticed Ian White has had his struggles over the years and is now in the AHL. I'd love to bring him in as a cheap signing... His short stint with us around the time of the Phaneuf trade made me a big fan so I'm biased, but I'd like to think at age 30 he's still an NHL d-man, even if he's not a topline guy.

2) Barring the above, I think there's no doubt we've got a lot of "extra" solid forwards. I wouldn't mind an experiment where one of our forwards plays on the 3rd D-line. I feel good hockey players, especially in this system, transcend their position. Byron-Smid anyone?

1) I hope everyone has gotten their all-star votes in for TJ Brodie and Mark Giordano, among other Flames.