The Flames are in a great spot with Brodie-Gio-Hamilton.
3 of their top 4 are set for a long time.
Wideman, Russell, Smid, Engelland will all be gone by the end of next year and I think filling the bottom two with a pairing like Wotherspoon and Nakladal (or Kulak, or another inexpensive depth dman from waivers or the cheap end of the UFA market) would be cheap, and more than adequate for the amount of minutes they would play until some of the prospects are ready to ease into those spots.
As long as they address the one outstanding issue to shelter that bottom pairing, a 3/4 to play with Hamilton, probably has to be a left shot if you don't want to break up Gio and Brodie (and why would you).
For me, Kylington, Anderson, Kulak and Hickey all look great but I don't see them as top 4 ready within 24 months.
I think they should go after a LHD with some upside who looks like they've conquered the AHL but are blocked. Somebody like Esa Lindell would be perfect. Ease them in next year with Wideman still around and groom them for that top 4 in 2017/18 when Smid, Engelland and Wideman are gone.
Dallas would probably part for a dman in a rental deal and I think they are a good fit for the Flames with all their prospects who are doing well in the AHL.
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