so much depends on philosophy of management. last summer the Flames were planning on a 1st round series starting in Calgary.
Hamonic, Stone, Smith, Lack moves all said that the time was now.
This coming year it looks to be back to rebuilding mode. We will see if the Flames unload a "good" veteran for a high level prospect or draft pick.
If so Gillies and/or Rittich need to get some time as a #1 goalie. There is little chance that they will be good enough to get the Flames into the playoffs, but then the team would have been a lot more lucky to make the playoffs with Smith (even if he didn't get injured).
The target year for the Flames to be in the Playoffs is 2019-20
Then Foo Dube Valimaki Anderssen, Phillips will be rookies and Gillies will be a mid range NHL level starter. Bouwer, Frolik, Stone, Hamonic will be on the last year of their contract so will play better and/or be a lot more tradeable/moveable.
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