Sharangovich, Kuzmenko and Mangiapane:
I see them as players you either re-sign for fair deals on shorter-term contracts, or you trade.
All of them - including Mangiapane who I would argue is underrated now - are strong contributors in their own ways. None are core players. The most critical work that needs to be completed in the next 2-3 years is finding core players through the draft. The more bullets you have, the better chance you have of finding them.
This is not to say that you should sell everything and turn this into a scorched-earth build. I don't think that's a very great way to do things either. I don't see a great path in trying to turn around and compete in the next year or two, and I don't see a great path in taking it down to the studs, bulldozing it, and completely replacing the foundation either.
Just don't make moves to win now. This team is a bottom 5 team. Don't give long-term deals to anyone that isn't a core piece from now until at least you have those core pieces, unless they are very young (Zary/Coronato young) and are at least very strong support pieces. Sharangovich is on that line for me personally. If you can trade him for what amounts to be a great return (whatever that's identified as), then great - trade him. If you can re-sign him for a fair deal that keeps him around for the next 4 years or so, that's good too. If he wants a long-term deal that pays him an uncomfortable amount, you trade him to the highest bidder.
That's what I want the Flames to do. No 'win now' movies because there are really zero core pieces in place right now, and there is no real opportunity to win. Keep rebuilding. This is a rebuild. It is not a scorched-earth rebuild, but it is much bigger than a retool. Retooling is moving a couple of core pieces in and out - I would argue that Gaudreau leaving and the Tkachuk trade/Kadri re-signing was a massive retool. You see it in a season.
This is going to be a multi-season build. Keep building until you think you have enough core pieces and the team is rising in the standings. Not a fluke playoff run when everything came together because of a coach that road his horses to death. Just keep building and keep being patient. The entertainment level and appeal of the Flames will grow as the talent level builds. You can't put lipstick on a pig and expect repeat customers to come and kiss the beauty pageant winner.
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