[Shazam]

Here's what ChatGPT wants to do:

Here’s a **5‑year full rebuild + contention roadmap** (2025–2030), integrating roster development, targeted trades, and draft pick strategy to bring the Flames a Stanley Cup:

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## 🛠️ Years 1–2 (2025–27): Builder Phase

### 👍 Rely on current prospects:

* **D Zayne Parekh** – projected NHL top‑4 puck mover ([showsport.cl][1], [en.wikipedia.org][2])
* **D Hunter Brzustewicz**, **Henry Mews**, **Etienne Morin** – high-upside two-way defenders ([thewincolumn.ca][3])
* **F Matvei Gridin**, **Andrew Basha**, **Jacob Battaglia**, **Aydar Suniev**, **Luke Misa** – forward depth brigade ([thewincolumn.ca][3])

### 🎙️ Draft Picks in 2025 & 2026:

* **2025 Draft Strategy** (own pick goes to Montreal unless top‑10):

* Priority #1: **elite centre** (team need per Times of India) ([reddit.com][4], [en.wikipedia.org][5]).
* Priority #2: Top-tier **LW** (e.g. Michal Svrcek or Bill Zonnon) to increase scoring depth ([timesofindia.indiatimes.com][6]).

* **2026 Draft**: Projected to hold own + NJ Devils pick (no top-10 protection). Again: centre first, forward depth second.

* Also use later-round selections to add quality depth – especially for wing and D.

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## 🔁 Trade Targets (Years 2–4: 2027–29)

### 1. **Top-tier RHD – e.g., Zach Werenski** (Columbus)

* **Send**: Rasmus Andersson (extension talks in limbo) ([yardbarker.com][7], [en.wikipedia.org][8]) + mid-round pick
* **Receive**: Werenski – instant improvement on top pair

### 2. **Dynamic Offensive Forward – e.g., Trevor Zegras**

* **Send**: high-upside prospect (Morgan Frost or 1st‑round pick)
* **Receive**: Zegras – elite playmaker to drive top‑6

### 3. **Impact Two-Way Centre or Power Forward**

* Options: **Brady Tkachuk** (Ottawa), **Elias Lindholm-type**
* **Send**: depth defense/prospect + draft capital
* **Receive**: high-character forward to anchor a scoring line

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## 📊 Projected Roster by 2028–29

### Forwards (Top 9):

* **Zegras – Elite C – Gridin/Basha/Suniev**
* **Returning vets**: Huberdeau, Kadri, Backlund for leadership
* **New addition**: Tkachuk-type or actual Tkachuk

### Defence:

* **PP1**: Werenski – Parekh
* **PP2**: Brzustewicz – Mews
* **Bottom Pair**: Morin – veteran complimentary d‑man (via FA)

### Goaltending:

* **Starter**: Dustin Wolf
* **Backup**: Veteran proven FA

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## 🏆 Core Contention Timeline

| Year | Focus | Key Additions |
| ------- | ----------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------- |
| 2025–26 | Develop prospects, add elite centreforward | 2025 draft picks |
| 2026–27 | Continue prospect rise, target 1st impact trade | Werenski trade |
| 2027–28 | Push for elite forward acquisition | Zegras / Tkachuk |
| 2028–29 | Cup window opens with core set | Completed roster and goaltending |
| 2029–30 | Sustain window; use depth prospects | Free agent adjustments |

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## ✅ Why this works in 5 years

* **Drafting emphasis** on centre + scoring wing builds future lines
* **High-impact trades** fill top-pair defense and scoring voids
* **Prospect pipeline** matures into NHL-ready core
* **Cap management** balanced: trades free space, prospects are cheap
* **Leadership & culture**: veterans and character players establish identity

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Would you like a detailed breakdown of each draft year’s target players (with mock rankings), trade partner possibilities, or cap hit projections?

[1]: https://www.showsport.cl/otros-depor...ce=chatgpt.com "Calgary Flames are No. 13 in 2025 NHL prospect pool rankings | ShowSport"
[2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zayne_...ce=chatgpt.com "Zayne Parekh"
[3]: https://thewincolumn.ca/2025/01/20/2...ce=chatgpt.com "2024–25 Calgary Flames mid-season top 10 prospects - The Win Column"
[4]: https://www.reddit.com/r/CalgaryFlam...ce=chatgpt.com "A friendly reminder we might lose our 2025 first round pick to Montreal…"
[5]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matvei...ce=chatgpt.com "Matvei Gridin"
[6]: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...ce=chatgpt.com "2025 NHL Draft: Can Calgary Flames bring depth on left wing even with emphasis on centre?"
[7]: https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/artic...ce=chatgpt.com "FlamesNation’s 2024 Calgary Flames prospect rankings: the no-votes | Yardbarker"
[8]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_N...ce=chatgpt.com "2025 NHL entry draft"