Quote:
Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe
If there are no moves made this off-season (which is unlikely, granted), does this team take a step forward or a step back? Do the aging vets + what went right normalizing outweigh the improving youth and what went wrong normalizing? I guess this is what Conroy is being paid to decide. I do agree with you in that there are two plausible outcomes. I am leaning more to the Flames regressing than surging, all things being equal, and if moves are made on that side of the equation, then I think ti is a top 5 pick next draft. However, a few moves can be made to get this team into the playoffs next season too.
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If no moves are made, I still see the team progressing rather than regressing.
Players that will regress:
Backlund
Coleman (I hope they trade him and give the spot to a graduating Wrangler)
Players that should perform the same:
Weegar
Kadri
Hubderdeau (still possible to see an improvement)
Lomberg
Pospisil
Players that should improve:
Coronato
Zary
Wolf
Bahl
Klapka
Wildcards, hopefully they improve:
Sharangovich
Frost
Farabee
New Players (with who they're replacing)
Parekh (Andersson) - i think there is a legitimate chance this is an upgrade. Andersson had a bad year, and Parekh should bring more offebse especially on the PP
Brzustewicz (Miromanov) - I can't imagine this is a downgrade, maybe lateral but a chance for improvement
Kerins (Rooney) - I see this is a potential upgrade
Then add in some more youth that are ready or nearly there:
Stromgren
Suniev
Honzek
Solovyov
Kuznetsov
Grushnikov
Poirier
The Flames really are just missing a couple pieces. It's unfortunate that those pieces are 1-2 PPG+ forwards. So the big game hunting does make sense IMO and that would really help push the team forward.