I'm actually feeling a bit optimistic about next year, if Sutter either leaves or finally gives in and plays the kids.
In goal I'd like to see Wolf/Markstrom. With Wolf hopefully taking over the starting role and Markstrom being bought out in June 2024 or 2025, depending on how Wolf's development is. If you can find a taker for Markstrom's contract, you move him now. But it'll be difficult. Plus Vladar's numbers weren't all that great anyways.
A forward group of Huberdeau, Lindholm, Toffoli, Mangiapane, Kadri, Backlund, etc...with a youth injection of Duehr, Pelletier, Coronato, Ruzicka, etc.. actually looks very solid. They just need a coaching strategy that is more hands off and lets the players play.
That being said....I'm not totally opposed to trading off a bunch of guys. All I know is that we've got "prospects" like Ruzicka who are turning 24. There's no reason they shouldn't be in the lineup. It's at the point where I really do feel bad for any prospect in the Flames organization. The hopes of them ever getting proper development on this t are slim to none. The Wranglers are the best team in the AHL, and we literally have players challenging for AHL MVP who can't find regular playing time.
I get that Phillips is small, but he's 25 now and very unlikely to ever get a fair shake. This fear the organization has of small skilled players is baffling. Not every prospect is going to succeed slowly working their way up from being grinder on the fourth line.
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