[InternationalVillager]

Let me preface this thread by saying that I understand that these players are eligible for the 2023 Draft and that is 2 years away. However, the Flames are at a crossroads where they need to set a direction now and build towards that draft in order to have a chance at one of these two prodigies. Either one of these players have the ability to possibly change this franchise for the next 20 years.

Connor Bedard (RHS, C):
WHL: 2020-21: 15 GP/12 G/16 A/28 P/+9
WJC-18: 2021: 5 GP/3 G/6 A/9 P/+7

Matvei Michkov (LHS, RW):
MHL: 2020-21: 56 GP/38 G/18 A/56 P/+26
WJC-18: 2021: 5 GP/10 G/2 A/12 P/+9

Set to be a different version of Ovechkin/Crosby. I think the Flames should be all in for this draft. With the contract status of Gaudreau, Monahan, Tkachuk - I don't think any of them have lived up to expectations to deserve another 6-8 year contract extension. Giordano is retiring soon. Let's not repeat the same failure as 2014-15 when we went on a run at the worst time and missed out on McDavid/Eichel/Marner/Rantanen/Barzal. Here we are 6 years later hoping we can somehow put a package together and hoping Buffalo is stupid enough to accept our trade offer while McDavid is on pace for 150 points over a 82 game season and Greaserville gets to enjoy that on a nightly basis.

I think this fan base deserves that the team take this direction and have a bonafide star again - one we haven't had since Iginla was in his prime. If we nab one of Bedard/Michkov - we have plenty to build around as Hanifin, Andersson, Valimaki would have had plenty of seasoning and we would have graduated Zary/Pelletier.