Was thinking about the moves that would be the worst outcome for the Flames this summer and got me wondering what other scenarios people would have. You know, the ones that would make you face palm and then keep you up at night. What does that look like for you?
For me the pieces would be:
Draft: Alex Nylander
Trade: MA Fleury
Free Agent: None
Camp: Mason Raymond
The Nightmare: The Flames go to the draft with a bevy of draft picks and possibility. They've been talking about getting bigger and more black and blue. There are plenty of those types in this draft, especially in the 2nd round, so this is set up well for the team to be successful. Here's where the nightmare begins. The Flames see all the big boys up top go to their rivals. Tkachuk goes to Edmonton. Dubois goes to Vancouver. The Flames take "BPA" and select Alex Nylander. Treliving makes his bold move to acquire a goaltender and sends our three 2nd round picks to Pittsburgh for MA Fleury. We come away from the draft with Nylander and Fleury as big pieces.
July hits and the reality starts to sink in. The free agent period is upon us, but the Flames stand pat, because Fleury's salary has added to the budget challenges and there is too much uncertainty to spend any more money until other contracts work themselves out. Prospect camp rolls around and we get to see first hand that Nylander is more perimeter than we thought and we start to experience flashbacks of Jesper Mattson. August roles around and we start to hear the club talk about what great shape Mason Raymond is in and how he's looking like a lock for a position in camp. "Gully" says that May Ray has always been one of his favorite players and he's happy to have a chance to coach him.
Wake up in a cold sweat.
