Conroy has built a surprisingly deep prospect pool in relative short order. No doubt there will be NHLers from this group and likely some very good ones.
The problem is we do not have any can’t miss elite pieces. The easiest way to acquire these guys is with top 5 picks. When posters are talking about going scorched earth that’s what that means. Give yourself a shot at those picks.
Moving forward the Flames will likely never be in a better position to sell off a couple guys and truly bottom out. I think if you move on from Kadri and Andersson the Flames are likely in that conversation this season. And let’s be honest- the Flames as currently constructed are not set up to win anything anytime soon. They are set up to be a middle pack team.
Look at Florida and Edmonton, the cup finalists the last two seasons:
Florida:
1st overall
2nd overall
2nd overall
4th overall
4th overall
6th overall
Edmonton:
1st overall
1st overall
3rd overall
7th overall
10th overall
I realize Florida traded for a few of those guys, but Calgary is not Florida and it’s a much tougher sell to buy low on those guys at the right time and get them here long term via trade or FA.
Flames need to draft and develop these guys.
In the last 45 years the Flames have never drafted higher than 4th overall and have only drafted in the top 10 nine times and in the top 5 once.
The clearest way to long term success is through top draft picks. It’s admirable the Flames try to remain competitive, but the odds are stacked against them. It’s hasn’t led to meaningful success in the past and it likely won’t in the future.
|