This is a very hard thing to determine. I do think the Flames will be a perrienial top 10 team in the league in the next 1-3 years and maintain that run for 5+ years.
When Iggy got traded this was a team that many thought were 5 years away at least from putting a respectable team on the ice. The Flames I feel have had a relatively smooth rebuild that has gone much quicker than anticipated. Things appeared better off starting the first full season of the rebuild. Gio who had been a solid, dependable top 4 D since signing his 5 year extension 2 years earlier was quickly turning into an elite 2 way Dman. Also TJ Brodie went from healthy scratch in game 1 of the shortened 2013 season and looked like a reliable top 4 D. In the 3 years since the rebuild started he has taken massive steps and is now arguably a number 1 Dman on most teams. Johnny Gaudreau was considered boom-bust when the rebuild began. Well as we all know he boomed and is an elite NHL player before he turned 23. The Flames had 3 really challenging seasons since Iggy moved on and received the 6th, 4th, and 6th pick in those years. So far those picks look like home runs. Monahan has 2 seasons where he scored 62 and 63pts before he turns 22. Sam Bennett has shown flashes of being a dominant offensive force. Matt Tkachuk had a monster year and huge playoffs. All 3 players seem to have high character and are mature for their ages. Fleecing the Bruins for Dpugie Hamilton saved the flames drafting and developing a high end D prospect when that appeared to be the missing piece.
The pieces are there for the Flames. Hopefully they come together and succeed. Gulutzan has a big job ahead of him but has a pretty enviable position to be in
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