Making the playoffs or keeping our top-10 first round pick 2025?

[Robbob]

Okay, I will say he contributed. Just saying with the con smythe going to Kucherov and Vailesvsky and Kucherov and Point being 1 and 2 each year, that being drafted 2nd had less to do with Tampa winning it.

[Macho0978]

I don't care about the top 10 pick, really, it's a top 5 pick that we needed to go for.

Conroy seems to be killing it as a GM, maybe we need to make a run at a top 5 pick as some point but it isn't going to be this year.

Playoffs is the answer now, gets Wolf some experience and get all our young guys a taste...and if Parekh gets eliminated early let's get him in there for the playoffs as well

[Goriders]

I think the trade yesterday answered the question. They are going for the playoffs and they are continuing to build the foundation for the future using trades and not trying to drop into the top 5.

I don’t think you could get there anyway with Wolf as your goalie.

My only question is whether they use any cap space in free agency in the offseason. I’m betting there’s another trade or two coming to get a short term D partner for Weegar. Maybe a backup goalie if they aren’t bring Cooley up.

[drewtastic]

Originally Posted by Goriders

I think the trade yesterday answered the question. They are going for the playoffs and they are continuing to build the foundation for the future using trades and not trying to drop into the top 5.

I don’t think you could get there anyway with Wolf as your goalie.

My only question is whether they use any cap space in free agency in the offseason. I’m betting there’s another trade or two coming to get a short term D partner for Weegar. Maybe a backup goalie if they aren’t bring Cooley up.

Yep, this is where I'm at too. Making playoffs is far better than finishing 9th or 10th. Just get in, give the kids the experience and take the extra revenue to use down the road.

[Enoch Root]

I was just looking at the tiebreakers between the Flames and Nucks...

1) RW - currently tied
2) ROW - currently tied
3) W - Flames up by 2
4) Head to Head - Flames have won 2 of the 1st 3, one more home game in April
5) Goal differential - Flames up by 3
6) Goals - VAN up by 6

[1991 Canadian]

I'm still holding out delusional hope for the taco girl "why not both?" scenario. Playoff games/potential cup run and a high pick from the non-Flames picks.

The Flames - Panthers - Montreal tieup. Unless something drastic changes, it looks like the Habs will getting the Flames 2025 pick. Likely in the 13 to 20 range at this point.

The New Jersey 2025 1st round pick. Markstrom is out for weeks. Hischier is out for weeks. Haula is day to day. With the Blue Jackets and Islanders on a hot streak, it is unlikely but not out of the realm of possibility that NJ falls out of the playoff race.

The Las Vegas 2026 1st round pick. No conditions. Vegas is a cup contender this year. They've already won, I already hate them, I'd be fine with them going on a long grueling cup run this year. Their core is getting old. Their goaltending is not great. They don't have much for young prospects/players.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by Wolven

Now the schedule is even split between home and road games and we are about to have a pile of home games (7 of the next 8 games are at home). The team needs to capitalize on these home stands, even with the tough competition. In this string of home games, I expect we'll see a lot of Wolf but I doubt he gets all 7 games. It'll be interesting to see how the goalies are deployed.

Update to my schedule prediction heading into the trade deadline:

Expected Wins: Ducks (H), Sharks (H)
Likely Wins: Red Wings (H), Kraken (H)
Likely Losses: Kraken (A), Flyers (A)
Expected Losses: Capitals (H), Leafs (H), Avalanche (H), Capitals (A), Lightning (A), Panthers (A), Hurricane (A), Stars (A)

Confirmed Wins: Sabres (H), Wild (A)*,
Confirmed Losses: Jets (A),

*Defied expectation

January is over and I'd say the Flames played better than expected in the second half of the month.

Update to my schedule prediction heading into the trade deadline:

Expected Wins: Sharks (H)
Likely Wins: Red Wings (H), Kraken (H)
Likely Losses: Kraken (A), Flyers (A)
Expected Losses: Leafs (H), Avalanche (H), Capitals (A), Lightning (A), Panthers (A), Hurricane (A), Stars (A)

Confirmed Wins: Sabres (H), Wild (A)*, Ducks (H),
Confirmed Losses: Jets (A), Capitals (H),
*Defied expectation

-----------

With January done the Flames now have the 17th hardest remaining schedule. Vancouver has 14th, Blues have 21st, Kings have 16th. This is good for the playoffs push as the Canucks now show a harder remaining schedule and we are on equal footing with the Kings while all three teams are within 2 points in the standings.

February has a tough challenge:

• Wolf needs to stand tall against a surging Red Wings team
• Vladar needs to survive a back-to-back game in Seattle with a tired team in front of him
• Back home to play the Leafs, Avs, and another Kraken game (do all of these games go to Wolf knowing the break is coming up???)
• ---2 week break
• Home game against the Sharks
• Start of the difficult 6 game road trip with 5 playoff contenders.

From a top10 pick perspective, the wave of East teams climbing over the Flames has slowed down a bit but there is still only a 5 point gap between the Flames and drafting in the top 10.

With the trade last night, I doubt we see much more action going into the trade deadline. Even if we get pummeled in the road trip, I doubt we switch into seller mode. In my mind, the only decision up in the air would be around going out to find another D or not.

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by Wolven

January is over and I'd say the Flames played better than expected in the second half of the month.

Update to my schedule prediction heading into the trade deadline:

Expected Wins: Sharks (H)
Likely Wins: Red Wings (H), Kraken (H)
Likely Losses: Kraken (A), Flyers (A)
Expected Losses: Leafs (H), Avalanche (H), Capitals (A), Lightning (A), Panthers (A), Hurricane (A), Stars (A)

Confirmed Wins: Sabres (H), Wild (A)*, Ducks (H),
Confirmed Losses: Jets (A), Capitals (H),
*Defied expectation

-----------

With January done the Flames now have the 17th hardest remaining schedule. Vancouver has 14th, Blues have 21st, Kings have 16th. This is good for the playoffs push as the Canucks now show a harder remaining schedule and we are on equal footing with the Kings while all three teams are within 2 points in the standings.

February has a tough challenge:

• Wolf needs to stand tall against a surging Red Wings team
• Vladar needs to survive a back-to-back game in Seattle with a tired team in front of him
• Back home to play the Leafs, Avs, and another Kraken game (do all of these games go to Wolf knowing the break is coming up???)
• ---2 week break
• Home game against the Sharks
• Start of the difficult 6 game road trip with 5 playoff contenders.

From a top10 pick perspective, the wave of East teams climbing over the Flames has slowed down a bit but there is still only a 5 point gap between the Flames and drafting in the top 10.

With the trade last night, I doubt we see much more action going into the trade deadline. Even if we get pummeled in the road trip, I doubt we switch into seller mode. In my mind, the only decision up in the air would be around going out to find another D or not.

I think a puck moving mid pair defender is definitely a want question is is can you do another fleece job for cash like this trade?

[Vinny01]

If you look at the team Conroy inherited he has already completed one of the biggest retools around the league. He became GM after a 93 point 9th place finish and quickly has a very different looking team in a similar spot.

It is crazy to think he has traded Toffoli, Zadorov, Lindholm, Tanev, Hanifin, Markstrom, Mangiapane all of who were key parts of the Gaudreau/Tkachuk team. Once the Flames moved on from Sutter and promised to get younger players in the lineup the retool was on. None of the free agents wanted to stay so they were moved for futures. Conroy knew this team had some prospects and opened up spots for Wolf, Zary, Coronato, Pospisil, and acquired younger players like Bahl, Sharangovich, Frost, and Farabee.

In the meantime the team does have a top half prospect pool in the league and 2x 1st round picks this upcoming draft and next. I have such a high level of confidence in Conroy right now so I am not worried we are not tanking

[jaikorven]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

If you look at the team Conroy inherited he has already completed one of the biggest retools around the league. He became GM after a 93 point 9th place finish and quickly has a very different looking team in a similar spot....

Out of thanks - He has done such a great job, no denying that IMO.

[Goriders]

We’re not getting a top 10 pick. Lets win the cup instead

[AustinL_NHL]

As someone who was hoping/begging/praying for a top 10 pick as much as any pro-Flames-tanking fan through the first 40+ games into the season, I am very much of the mindset at this point that because of Dustin Wolf alone, all the Flames need is for Parekh to pan out as the godly offensive-producing defenseman he's projecting like, and a top star up front for Wolf for such a trio (with Wolf at the top) being able to drag the Flames to a Cup or two as long as they have decent depth (which they should have no problem between their scouting and cap space).

Add an instant impact-Dman in Parekh next season/the season after, and throw in a supertstar UFA signing with all your cap space (obviously much easier said than done, and likely not worth it long-term), and you have all the offense you need in front of Wolf who can do the rest.

Plus with the current pipeline adding a few impact players aside from Parekh, the Flames are already looking pretty sexy. Not to mention their 4 firsts the next two drafts.

Dustin Wolf is just next-level and a talent that doesn't come around all that often.

[Bingo]

Last night's win pretty much puts an end to any thoughts of finishing bottom ten, which is nice because now it's all on board to rise as high as they can.

23rd place team is on pace for 80.5 points, the Flames would need to go 10-19-1 to get to that same point total.

Can't see them going 9 games under .500 the rest of the way.

Florida winning again so that gap is greater as well.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Last night's win pretty much puts an end to any thoughts of finishing bottom ten, which is nice because now it's all on board to rise as high as they can.

23rd place team is on pace for 80.5 points, the Flames would need to go 10-19-1 to get to that same point total.

Can't see them going 9 games under .500 the rest of the way.

Florida winning again so that gap is greater as well.

They are 26-19 so far.

Expecting them to go 10-19, with Wolf playing most of (almost all) of the games, is absolutely not happening.

At this point, it's playoffs or bust!

[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Last night's win pretty much puts an end to any thoughts of finishing bottom ten, which is nice because now it's all on board to rise as high as they can.

23rd place team is on pace for 80.5 points, the Flames would need to go 10-19-1 to get to that same point total.

Can't see them going 9 games under .500 the rest of the way.

Florida winning again so that gap is greater as well.

I am somewhat relieved at a definitive direction at least for this year. The middle ground was frustrating, didn't know which way to cheer, etc.

Pick exchange is happening and better off finishing as high as possible, so might as well cheer for them to make it/go on a run of sorts.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

I am somewhat relieved at a definitive direction at least for this year. The middle ground was frustrating, didn't know which way to cheer, etc.

Pick exchange is happening and better off finishing as high as possible, so might as well cheer for them to make it/go on a run of sorts.

Totally agree.

We get to 100% know what we are cheering for now.

They won't be in the bottom ten. The more games they win the better going forward.

Less impact on the trade swap.
Playoff birth to develop young players.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

I am somewhat relieved at a definitive direction at least for this year. The middle ground was frustrating, didn't know which way to cheer, etc.

Pick exchange is happening and better off finishing as high as possible, so might as well cheer for them to make it/go on a run of sorts.

The top ten pick has sailed. That means any more losses just make handing over the pick to Montreal more painful. The only thing to cheer for is a win.

[Knut]

The 2025 Draft is also seemingly weaker than the 2026 Draft. It is a good year for this. 2026 could go off the rails. Also, I do not think any of the Centers in this draft are going to be sure-fire #1 guys.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Knut

The 2025 Draft is also seemingly weaker than the 2026 Draft. It is a good year for this. 2026 could go off the rails. Also, I do not think any of the Centers in this draft are going to be sure-fire #1 guys.

If the Flames have to hand over a #15 pick to Montreal and draft #22 and #28ish with the two other picks, it's really not that bad of a year for that. The draft seems weak and what you do manage ot pull out of it will depend a lot on scouting ability.

Obviously hoping that doesn't happen, but if it does, it won't be nearly as painful as it would have been in other years.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I would still much rather draft 15th, 22nd and 28th. Sigh.. never a fan of that move. I don't look at the value of that pick as a difference of picks between Calgary and Florida. I think it is just optics to do that, personally.


The real value of that move is what value Calgary gets out of Kadri - does he do enough playoff heroics to make it worth it? Maybe the Flames will trade him at some point, and if so, then the difference between the pick we hand Montreal and that pick would be the real value there for me.


However, while having only two picks rather than three in the first round this year isn't as exciting, it is still much better than just having one pick. Just focus on the positives. I bet Flames find 2 really good propsects to draft with those picks that we will talk about ad nauseam. I can't wait!