The Flames have a team full of players good enough to be on a championship team and some that can be top players on a championship team. This team just does not have the right mix to get it done.
To fix it though they need to look at all veterans and short-term deals and make decisions on who stays and who goes. But they also need to play some young players. Sure, they don't have higher end prospects, but they have 3-5 NHL ready prospect to be excited about. PPG players in the AHL and an elite goalie.
It's time to clear some spots and get these kids in. If Sutter needs to go, he needs to go to get these guys in.
Doing it now also puts us in a position to add one of those higher end prospects we all think this team is missing. The Flames sell now they can sneak into the top 10 of this draft.
I personally would move at least 2 of the following:
Backlund
Toffolli
Tanev
Mangiapane
Markstrom
I'd be ok to wait to talk contract with Hanifin before moving him.
Lindholm is a must keep unless they full rebuild. Almost all others on short term deals should be looked at as someone that can be moved.
But typical Flames, they will not do this now and draft 12th to 14th overall and get no extra picks in this draft and shuffle things up in the summer
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