[ForeverFlameFan]

It seems like the perfect team to mirror, in my opinion, is the Dallas Stars. Focusing on 2017 and beyond (where they landed a top 3 franchise pick in Heiskanen), they have landed contributing players with the first round picks they've used, save it be a couple that didn't pan out or jury is still out for them. They also struck gold on Robertson and Oettinger, who were also part of that 2017 draft class. I'll include Hintz too since he's a couple years off (2015) and is a major contributor to their team (2nd round stud):

R. Hintz (2015 / 49th OA) - 1C

2016/2017 - Finished 24th in the league, won 3rd OA)
M. Heiskanen (2017 / 3rd OA) - Franchise defenseman
J. Oettinger (2017 / 26th OA) - current top starting goalie in the league
J. Robertson (2017 / 39th OA) - Franchise winger

2017/2018 - Finished 19th in the league, missed playoffs
T. Dellandrea (2018 / 13th OA) - energy bottom 6 forward, (can't win them all)

2018/2019 - Finished 15th in the league, made playoffs
T. Harley (2019, 18th OA) - playing middle pairing minutes

2019/2020 - (COVID), Finished 10th OA, got to covid playoffs final against Lightning.
Mavrik Bourque (2020, 30th OA) - currently 32 points in 21 games in the AHL, should be a call up as soon as this year or next.

2020/2021 - (COVID) Finished 17th overall in the league, did not make covid playoffs.
W. Johnston (2021, 23rd OA) - Middle 6 center right now, likely stays behind Hintz as the 2C.

2021/2022 - Finished 15th, made playoffs.
L. Bichsel (2022 18th OA)- jury is still out, not a bad pick so far.

2022-2023 they finished 8th, made it to the conference finals, and traded their 1st away to contend.

Hardly included anyone outside of the 2nd round (there is Stankoven), but aside from 1st and 2nd round, the Stars have some pretty meh drafting. The Flames can do better with the scouts they have.

What we can take from here:

- Flames need to grab a top 10 pick in this draft if they don't win a top 3 spot.
- Grab as many top 64 picks as possible, in whatever year
- Sell players that aren't in the long term plans

As long as we are picking well with the 1st rounders and also land some late pick guys, we are going to be alright. Dallas has the luxury of attracting many free agents, which slightly offsets the poor drafting they have past the 1st round. For the most part, the players they select eventually get a cup a coffee to see if they really stick in the NHL or not.

One thing that stuck out to me the most was Robertson and looking as his career, he stayed in junior for an additional 2 years after drafted, played one season in the AHL where he wans't even PPG, and then once covid got under control he himself figured it out and became a PPG player. To me, that gives me high hopes for Honzek, who could very well be the same build as Robertson if he adds a little bit more weight.

We just have to be patient and continue to draft well.

TLDR: Flames need to sell
No method is linear
More picks = more darts, draft position doesn't matter.
Top 3 pick, if possible, is much needed.

^ Flames can check off a few of these boxes if they continue to lose and sell Hanifin/Linholm for picks/NHL ready prospects/players with term.