Making the playoffs or keeping our top-10 first round pick 2025?
This is the dilemma I have with the Flames with their current standings on Christmas break. One point out of a playoff spot, but also at risk of handing Montreal our 1st round pick 2025.
The only way we keep it is if we fall down to bottom 10 of standings (but in return giving up our other 1st round pick from Florida). Florida's pick will most likely be a late 1st which is easier to stomach than our own which will most likely be a mid-1st rounder (11-16, if we miss the playoffs and don't finish bottom 10 overall).
As much as I appreciated the Flames efforts in being competitive (ie. Huby actually being decent for once, the young guys of Coronato, Wolf, Pelletier and Pospisil continuing to develop into important contributors to the team), I think it is against the Flames' best interest to try (and most likely fail) to make the playoffs when another top 10 pick for this year's draft would help get us another blue chip prospect for the future.
TLDR I would rather give Florida's 1st round pick to Montreal than our own. We should be focusing on our own rebuild, not expedite Montreal's rebuild if you know what I mean (thanks a lot Treliving ) What you guys think?
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If any team decides to not try to make the playoffs, they should be suspended from the league and lose the ability to draft in the first round for 10 years.
I think its great that the flames are developing a culture around hard work and learning the systems, and stretching towards the playoffs.
Teams like Edmonton that sewered for multiple number 1 picks should have been sent to the ECHL permanently.
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I understand what you are saying would love to have a top ten pick this draft too. Its going to be pretty hard to fall that far down from where the Flames are now I think too many terrible teams.
It does sound like there won't be too much difference between a 12-15 pick and a 25-30 pick in this draft. Not all drafts are this way but this year The Flames can make the playoffs or come 9-10 in conference and you can draft the same kind of player probably the exact player with their pick.
Last edited by Svartsengi; 12-24-2024 at 03:49 PM.
Reason: Can't type well
They are focused on their own rebuild. You can't expect them to just throw games.
Huska isn't going to tell them to stop trying. He could be replaced by the time this year's draft pick makes the NHL if they do. The players themselves aren't going to quit and many of them are playing just to stay in the NHL.
Sometimes heart can make up for lack of skill.
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Bottom 10 looks nearly impossible; too many bad teams to drop below.
Playoffs also look improbable; would need to push Vancouver/LA or one of the strong Central teams like Dallas out.
Can't fault the team's efforts or expect them to tank but it's trending towards worst case scenario. That's life as a Flames fan I guess.
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This season is going exactly as a Flames season would during a rebuild. Not really a playoff team, but not a bottom ten either. The added bonus this year due to Brad Treliving's brilliance is that we don't even get the mediocre 1st round pick for finishing outside the playoffs. Life as a Flames fan, once you just accept it things are easier.
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Making the playoffs does nothing for this team and they likely miss anyways.
We need elite talent and the draft is the best chance for us to get those guys. That’s also the danger of making trades. This team isn’t ready for that. You get guys that are good enough to keep you in the hunt you just keep circling.
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The only relevant question to ask at the end of the season is "what did the Flames do to improve in the future"
They have done a reasonable job in providing a development environment for Zary, Coronoto, Wolf, etc. Though some of that was a result of injury rather than planning. But draft wise, the Flames are doing what they normally do. They are working hard to be mediocre this season so they can be mediocre in the future.
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No generational talents in the draft, no big deal they don't get a top 10, they have already started to acquire extra draft pics. Next year I think the flames start to fall further behind, going to see teams like San Jose get better, they need to get some lottery luck, they are sooooooooooo over due for a top 3 pick
I'm not about to suggest we tank, because that would create a bad culture, and I'm glad we're playing a fairly entertaining brand of hockey. That said, we need to finish bottom-10 this year and next to grab some elite talent at the only position we are lacking in- center.
We can keep on going with the objective of squeaking into the playoffs year after year, so Edwards can collect on his 2-3 games worth of playoff revenue. Maybe we get lucky, and make it to the second round just to watch the team get destroyed. I would prefer to suffer for a few years in order to have a shot at a contender. Especially with the new arena coming, and Cale Makar coming home soon (joke-kinda).
Last edited by Sandman; 12-24-2024 at 09:08 PM.
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Making the playoffs or keeping our top-10 first round pick 2025?
) What you guys think?
