We saw what happened with the Blues last year and it was probably the perfect time to have an off year. They had multiple aging vets on expiring deals and collected picks to restock the shelves and ended up selecting 10th with their own pick. The Flames did not seem interested or did not get the offers they wanted for guys with a year and a half left.
If the Flames have a medicore season again next year and guys are definitely walking then they will be in a similar spot to add a bunch of picks and younger players. Lindholm and Hanifin should get guaranteed 1sts. Backlund, Tanev, Kylington, Zadorov should be able to get at least a 2nd or 2nd++.
The big “problem” if we want to call it that is the fact I think this team is due for a bounce back. The dark cloud of Sutter is gone, the shock of the blockbuster trade, and extensions from Huberdeau and Weegar is gone, Kadri has a full summer to refresh and recharge being settled in Calgary. Markstrom/Lindholm are not dealing with becoming fathers for the first time. Huska and Conroy bring new positive energy to the organization in their new roles and the team looks to inject some youth into the lineup.
After the disappointing year in the bubble many thought it was time to blow the core up but they stuck with it and were rewarded with some epic seasons from the top line yet both players were lost and in Gaudreau’s case for nothing. It is a big risk doing the same with this current group of UFA’s. If this team bounces back to be a Pacific division contender would they still look to sell their current pending UFA’s? The only time they did that was 2015 when they were vastly overachieving and had prospects knocking at the door to take the spots filled by Glencross and Baerstchi (who requested a trade).
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