What's next for the Flames?

[MelBridgeman]

Originally Posted by hockey.modern

Would you guys consider us as a rebuilding team? Or start the transition to a playoff team

They are already a playoff team with a round win under their belt. We are now transitioning to a perennial playoff team and soon a cup contender

[Da_Chief]

Playoff team. If we're not in the playoffs next year it will be a huge disappointment.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

Playoff team. If we're not in the playoffs next year it will be a huge disappointment.

Agreed.

I didn't have as high of expectations a week ago, but adding a stud like Hamilton and a solid piece like Frolik without subtracting anything have raised them quite a bit.

[mrdonkey]

Flames look poised for another playoff appearance, but nothing is guaranteed in the West. LA, SJ, and ANA are all tough competitors within the Pacific. Even Edmonton won't be an easy 2 points as they have been in the past. I think they'll be in the mix but it could go either way.

In a few years once the young core inches closer to their prime and those borderline guys like Poirier, Gillies, and Ortio come into their own, watch out.

[Hanna Sniper]

Originally Posted by hockey.modern

Would you guys consider us as a rebuilding team? Or start the transition to a playoff team

Rebuild ended once they traded away their top 3 draft picks...

Doesn't mean the team is no longer mindful of the future or win at all cost right now

[Bingo]

Given the moves they've made its certainly more difficult to imagine this team taking a step backwards.

I think Bennett is key next year, and to a lesser extent Backlund. I think Monahan and Gaudreau are pretty good bets for 25 goals and 60 points, but if Backlund can stay healthy and Bennett can provide secondary scoring in his first NHL lap then the Flames with that defense have to be a playoff team.

If not I guess I'd be disappointed, and I really thought this was going to be a step back year.

The Hudler contract seems less likely now unless they can move Raymond and or Wideman. There's basically no space at all next season.

[Money Baer]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Given the moves they've made its certainly more difficult to imagine this team taking a step backwards.

I think Bennett is key next year, and to a lesser extent Backlund. I think Monahan and Gaudreau are pretty good bets for 25 goals and 60 points, but if Backlund can stay healthy and Bennett can provide secondary scoring in his first NHL lap then the Flames with that defense have to be a playoff team.

If not I guess I'd be disappointed, and I really thought this was going to be a step back year.

The Hudler contract seems less likely now unless they can move Raymond and or Wideman. There's basically no space at all next season.

I could see Wideman's 5.25 being moved. Guys like Raymond, Hiller, Jones will come off the books/moved too. (10+ million right there)

But you're right, it will be the biggest offseason with Gio, Money, Johnny, Colborne, and Russell all up for new deals.

[Vulcan]

I'd rather move Smid's $3.5M than Wideman. Raymond ($3.15M) and Bolig ($1.25M) should also be gone, either by trade or buyout. That's $7.9M gone along with Jones' expiring $4M gives us some money to re-sign Monahan and Gaudreau and maybe Hudler. It'd be a shame to give Hudler away. We have $7.1M in cap space this season but with Gio getting maybe a $3M raise, it's going to get tricky to sign everyone, much like the Sutter days.

Maybe not this year but the year after we are a cap team so with that we should be a contender as well.

[Enoch Root]

No longer a 'rebuild' team, but still rebuilding - i.e. decisions are still made with an eye to the future, as opposed to spending the future to support the now.

I agree that Bennett and Backlund are keys, but I would add Ferland to that. The Flames could be really good, but it's hard to imagine so many players taking huge steps in a matter of only two seasons.

Goaltending isn't there yet, but one encouraging factor is that our D is so much better that possession numbers should improve significantly, taking a lot of pressure off the goalies.

If the forwards continue to progress, we could become borderline contenders - not top contenders like Chicago, but comparable to say Nashville last year.

As for the cap, I am not concerned at all. Over the next couple years, Jones, Raymond, Engelland, Bollig, Smid, Stajan, Wideman, and probably Hudler too, are going to be replaced by kids on ELCs or bridge contracts.

The 'cap floor team' days are over. But they are still a long way from being in a cap squeeze.

[CSharp]

Flames need a guy like Justin Williams up front in the RW position. They're still too small on that first line. Can't believe they didn't get Beleski for what the Bruin got for him.

[ComixZone]

I'd caution people about raising expectations.

We're still a very young team. Why ruin it and weigh them down by throwing lofty expectations based solely on results?

You know what I'm hopeful for? That this coming season is as entertaining as last season. This team will continue to get better on the backs of the youth, so I'll just enjoy the ride up and not worry about a misstep here or there.

Originally Posted by CSharp

Flames need a guy like Justin Williams up front in the RW position. They're still too small on that first line. Can't believe they didn't get Beleski for what the Bruin got for him.

Good teams are not built through free agency. We have no need to pay a winger money or commit term like that to someone based on a single season when we already have so many up and coming players.

That first line was the best line in hockey for a good stretch and got us into the playoffs.

Take a breath and realize that our roster will be filled out from within.

[PrettyBoyFlizzy]

What's next? Win the Stanley cup. This is the closest we have been in a very long time.

[jg13]

Originally Posted by CSharp

Flames need a guy like Justin Williams up front in the RW position. They're still too small on that first line. Can't believe they didn't get Beleski for what the Bruin got for him.

Beleskey is not a top line RW.

Also Frolik at 4.3 > Beleskey at 3.8

[theoforever]

The additions we made in Dougie and Frolik, have improved the team to a point where we should make the playoffs. Those were very good moves.
I don't believe we have to add to this lineup, let the kids battle it out.
I do think that Raymond and Hiller will be moved.

[Stay Golden]

Wouldn't mind Raymond getting moved. If he doesn't he needs to refind his game.
Other than that they shouldn't even tinker.
Let the AHL players battle for the bubble roster spots.
Makes for good camp competition.
Treliving has done just what was needed this offseason.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by Hanna Sniper

Rebuild ended once they traded away their top 3 draft picks...

Doesn't mean the team is no longer mindful of the future or win at all cost right now

I don't think trading 3 draft picks for a 22 year old who is pretty close to a "sure thing" signals the end of the rebuild...perhaps just an acceleration. It's a move looking ahead for the next six years that starts paying off now

[sureLoss]

I don't know,

Flames were were reportedly linked in recent days to two players who had 2016 1sts in their respective returns.

Their 2016 1st might be in play.

[Angelino]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

I don't know,

Flames were were reportedly linked in recent days to two players who had 2016 1sts in their respective returns.

Their 2016 1st might be in play.

Which players?

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Angelino

Which players?

Jones and Kessel

[Bunk]

My hope is the Flames are like the 2008-09 Blackhawks, 104 pts, a young core, Conference finalists and clearly ascending to being a perennial contender. Then the next year be like the 2009-10 Blackhawks...