[1991 Canadian]

I'm a bit surprised that 2024 is significantly ahead of 2013.

With the benefit of hindsight, 2013 had a decent core to build on. It clearly never worked out, but all 3 of these players played well above their contracts/draft position for their entire Flames careers.

#1 LW in Gaudreau.
#1 D in Giordano
#2 D in Brodie

In 2024. We have 2.5/5 of the top line players in place. And they are collectively older than the 2013 core pieces. In the case of Markstrom, he may be gone as soon as this summer.

#2 D in Weegar
#2 D in Andersson
#1G in Markstrom. Hopefully Wolf for the future.

I really like a lot of the Flames young players and prospects, but I see most topping out as 2nd and 3rd line players.

What really sets the 2024 rebuild back is the albatross contracts. I'm worried that when the Flames finally turn a corner, they will be hamstrung with a lot of dead money. Huberdeau is arguably the only present day bad value contract, but the rest are coming.

Lets turn forward to 2026-27.

Huberdeau will be 34, making $11.5 million, and have 5 years left
Kadri will be 36, making $7 million, and have 2 years left
Weegar will be 33, making $6.25 million, and have 5 years left
Coleman will be 35, making $4.9 million, and be a UFA at the end of season

If even one of those players is still earning their cap hit, I'd consider that a win. I'm already prepping myself to be frustrated that we have some good young players pushing the organization forward, but the team doesn't have cap space to surround them with better players.