[curves2000]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

If the Flames spend this off season doing things like signing Mason Raymond's and Nik Grossman's, then yes, I would have to agree that they can't develop well. They said from the start they wanted a push from the bottom, but in all fairness to the guys, they need to have legitimate spots open.

There's no question the Flames have had lousy drafting for many years, especially in the top 6 forward position, but they've managed to find some diamonds with Ferland, Gaudreau, Mangiapane, and maybe Jankowski.

Where the Flames have only been good at scouting and developing is with bottom 6 forwards (ie, Bouma, Hathaway, Byron, Chiasson).

They really needed Jankowski, Klimchuck, Poirer, Granlund/Shinkaruk, Baertschi and the Hunter Smith pick to be the top 6 guys. Instead it's possible Mangiapane and Ferland could be closer to those guys at top 6 duty.

Let's not forget about the Douglas Murray's (twice) the Ryan Wilson's and the others. Better off having a kid like Wotherspoon, Kulak (now) and other plays have a chance to earn some spots.