First, this team this year is already a huge improvement on the team we had last year. I assume you mean improve by becoming a perennial playoff team, and then a contender.
For me, it comes down to good asset management and having a good prospect development and succession plan within the organization.
Current Roster Holes:
- 1C
- 1RW
- Stay at home 3-4D
- Puck moving D, PP specialist
- 4C, PK + faceoff specialist
- 4RW
Upcoming/potential Roster Holes(1-2 years)
- 2/3C - Backlund - Father time
- 2/3C - Kadri - Father time
- 2D - Andersson - trade
Possible sources of improvement:
- Younger players already on the team improving and getting a bigger role:
- Wolf becoming a top 5 goalie
- Zary becoming a 2a/1b Centre
- Coronato becoming a defensively responsible 30G scoring winger
- Pelletier having a similar career trajectory to Manigapane with the Flames
- Prospects(including upcoming picks)
- Cap Space
- Improve coaching
- Get a top 10 PP
- Get a top 10 PK
- Get more skills coaches to address individual weaknesses
- Improve chemistry
The organization did a great job at re-stocking the defence. As a result, 1-2 of Parekh, Mews, and Brzustewicz will be playing in our top 4 within 2-3 years. The defensive D are more curious, and I hope that either Kuznetsov or Solovyov manages to get a (bigger) role in the NHL after the deadline this year, or to start next year. That said, I could see the Flames addressing this particular hole via free agency - Ekblad, and Lindgren come to mind.
Coronato also looks like he's on his way to become a 1RW, and Sharangovich could become our 2RW option, which I'm perfectly fine with.
The biggest question mark of this organization for the past 25 years remains at Centre. We should probably draft one, but that's easier said than done. Most likely that Centre is at least 5 years away, unless Zary takes another huge step. Pettersson is definitely a guy I'm intrigued with, because he's elite offensively, and pretty good defensively as well. If this organization attempts to go the re-tool route, then he is probably my top target.
No matter what the organization does, I think they should use their cap space this season. Either to generate futures, or improve the team so that they make the playoffs and remain competitive. The experience of a playoff round would be pretty valuable for all of Zary, Coronato, Wolf, Pelletier, etc.