Friedman: Flames in 'Danger zone'

[sureLoss]

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article...-to-slip-away/

There are two things Conroy has done extremely well since taking the GM job three summers ago. The first is building a prospect base. Those who know this area much better than I do (including Sportsnet’s own Jason Bukala and Sam Cosentino) say impactful players are on the radar around the time the Flames open their new arena in Fall 2027. That’s important for this organization. You want your fans to be excited about what’s on the ice when those doors open.

The second thing he’s done very well is eliminate noise. The 2023-24 season was a painful one. Noah Hanifin was traded during, Jacob Markstrom in the aftermath. Other veterans indicated they wanted to follow, but Conroy held firm — asking them to come to camp ready to go with an open mind, seeing how the season went before making any bold proclamations. Those players fulfilled their side of the bargain, helping push Calgary past what was expected.

There was no drama, a welcome change.

It’s early and I don’t like to panic. But, what I think the Flames know is that this “quiet” may only last as long as everyone feels they are in postseason contention. The best thing Conroy can do is remind everyone the easiest solution is to pull together to climb out of the early-season pit. But, if it doesn’t change…will the agents be calling, asking for trades?

Some fans might say, “I’ll drive them to the airport!” While I understand the emotion, its not entirely practical. The Flames have a tough time attracting free agents (something they hope their new building addresses). A mass exodus creates more holes to plug. Not everyone is as dedicated to Southern Alberta as Mikael Backlund.

The Flames missed the playoffs seven straight seasons at the turn of the century, and five straight seasons last decade. It’s soul-crushing, and those of us on the outside don’t always recognize the internal damage, fear and stress that causes. It leaves scars. You don’t forget.

You worry that one bad season snowballs into three or four, with your veteran players walking out the door. But, even if there is short-term pain, the Flames are not without hope of long-term gain. You get a great deal you can’t say no to, that’s one thing. But to beg for something fleeting is another. Panic and short-term thinking are to be avoided at all costs.

It’s not easy to hear in October. It will bother the veterans who want to contend. But, if the Flames don’t steady themselves and surge back into the race, the right option, as much as it sucks for the players, is to take your best shot at one of those top picks, believing that will energize your franchise and add the type of skill your lineup desperately needs.

[GullFoss]

This was obviously the plan. Build a young supporting cast via draft/trades and then tank for superstars.

WTF is Friedman talking about with regards to the vets though? Outside of Weager, the vets are irrelevant. Huby is unmovable, so what he desires is a moot point. If he really wants out he can ask to mutually dissolve his contract. Kadri can be traded whenever he wants to. Coleman and Rasmus are gone this season either way. Backlund is committed to the city.

And outside of those guys...there's no other vets.

[Ashasx]

The Flames have a tough time attracting free agents (something they hope their new building addresses). A mass exodus creates more holes to plug. Not everyone is as dedicated to Southern Alberta as Mikael Backlund.

I don't get it. Isn't this the point? That the Flames have trouble attracting top talent? How can an organization like the Flames attract and retain the talent if it's not through the draft?

They have to know now that you can't compete - at least consistently to give yourself a big cup window - unless you have multiple stars on the team.

It's not difficult at this point, and I really don't understand why this organization is making it difficult.

You worry that one bad season snowballs into three or four, with your veteran players walking out the door.

We're already at three seasons with no playoffs, and now with the start to this season, almost assuredly at four.

Rebuild or retool, there is always going to be pain. Neither is going to be short term.

Do it right, or you will wish you had sooner.

[ComixZone]

He notes something that either he’s wrong on, or our understanding of his contract is.

He says Kadri’s contract has already transitioned to a 13 team NTC, no longer a full NMC.

Flames just need to embrace this year for what it is: our best opportunity to add top talent through the top of the draft, something this team needs and cannot find any other way.

1. One thing about Nazem Kadri: his contract switched this year from a full no-move to a partial, 13-team no-trade.

[SuperMatt18]

Yeah I don't see what the "Danger" is.

Andersson already has one foot out the door regardless of the start to the season.

Huberdeau can't be moved due to contract.

Farabee, Frost, and Sharangovich aren't in a position to demand anything.

The only names where things might change are Coleman, Kadri, and Weegar.

Coleman is 34 in the next month, Kadri is 35, neither of those guys are long term veterans anyways, so to me whether they get traded now or next year is irrelevant to team culture, they should be getting shopped anyways.

Weegar is probably the only one you wouldn't want to be a malcontent and ask for a trade, just because there are no other veteran dmen and at 31 he has more runway left.

[getbak]

[Toonage]

Yes. Came for the Archer gif. Happy.

[Geeoff]

Originally Posted by GullFoss

This was obviously the plan. Build a young supporting cast via draft/trades and then tank for superstars.

WTF is Friedman talking about with regards to the vets though? Outside of Weager, the vets are irrelevant. Huby is unmovable, so what he desires is a moot point. If he really wants out he can ask to mutually dissolve his contract. Kadri can be traded whenever he wants to. Coleman and Rasmus are gone this season either way. Backlund is committed to the city.

And outside of those guys...there's no other vets.

I think he was talking about UFAs? You can't build a team with UFAs anyway. Mostly, they are past their prime and overpaid.

[traptor]

We're already 3 years out of playoffs, probably loking at 4.


What's always pulled us out was having elite driving forces leading the way like Iginla or Gaudreau.


The quickest path to contention is to lean into this and try to get that elite talent where the odds make it the easiest.

[InternationalVillager]

Trade Kadri, Coleman, Andersson.

Simple stuff really.

[FlamesAddiction]

Some fans might say, “I’ll drive them to the airport!” While I understand the emotion, its not entirely practical. The Flames have a tough time attracting free agents (something they hope their new building addresses). A mass exodus creates more holes to plug. Not everyone is as dedicated to Southern Alberta as Mikael Backlund.

One of the issues attracting free agents is the lack of recent success, the unlikelihood of success on the near horizon, and the lack of star players. There are other factors, but solving the those other factors go a long way to becoming a destination for a better pool of free agents. And the best way to do that is get some high draft picks.

I guess I am kind of confused, is he suggesting that the Flames should keep overpaid and under producing veterans because we can't replace them easily via free agency?

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

He notes something that either he’s wrong on, or our understanding of his contract is.

He says Kadri’s contract has already transitioned to a 13 team NTC, no longer a full NMC.

Flames just need to embrace this year for what it is: our best opportunity to add top talent through the top of the draft, something this team needs and cannot find any other way.

Yeah this was the biggest news
I thought it was next summer

[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I don't get it. Isn't this the point? That the Flames have trouble attracting top talent? How can an organization like the Flames attract and retain the talent if it's not through the draft?

They have to know now that you can't compete - at least consistently to give yourself a big cup window - unless you have multiple stars on the team.

It's not difficult at this point, and I really don't understand why this organization is making it difficult.



We're already at three seasons with no playoffs, and now with the start to this season, almost assuredly at four.

Rebuild or retool, there is always going to be pain. Neither is going to be short term.

Do it right, or you will wish you had sooner.

It is the point. I also don’t think Elliot is right. Some recent (ish) examples of top free agents coming to Calgary with Markstron and Tanev.

The Flames current situation is attracting no one, but get some young talent and continue to build a culture, free agents will come back when the time is right.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

He notes something that either he’s wrong on, or our understanding of his contract is.

He says Kadri’s contract has already transitioned to a 13 team NTC, no longer a full NMC.

That's incorrect. The 13-team NTC is for the last three years of the contract (2026–2029). It's still a full NMC this season, according to both Capwages and Puckpedia.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Geeoff

I think he was talking about UFAs? You can't build a team with UFAs anyway. Mostly, they are past their prime and overpaid.

You can't even trade for vets, thanks to the gobs of NTCs around the league, unless you can sell them on playing for your team and in your city. That's a big issue, unless you just so happen to draft exactly the right blend of players that you need.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

That's incorrect. The 13-team NTC is for the last three years of the contract (2026–2029). It's still a full NMC this season, according to both Capwages and Puckpedia.

They also aren’t always correct - and do occasionally have conditions wrong.

I would imagine Friedge did his homework before posting it. If he doesn’t make a correction to it, I’d take his word over those sites.

[SuperMatt18]

Strong young players solves that problem.

Nobody wanted to play in Chicago before Kane and Toews, Pittsburgh before Crosby, Edmonton before McDavid etc etc

If you have top end young talent then the veterans will want to come.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Strong young players solves that problem.

Nobody wanted to play in Chicago before Kane and Toews, Pittsburgh before Crosby, Edmonton before McDavid etc etc

If you have top end young talent then the veterans will want to come.

Exactly this. Players want to play with talent and where they think they’ll have a chance to win.

Young stars are the piece that drive those sorts of positive transactions.

[topfiverecords]

Not yet, but we’re on the highway to the danger zone.

[Badgers Nose]

Who does Elliot and Conroy think they are fooling with all this playoff talk? This is some kind of ploy to bring fans around to a rebuild? 'We tried so hard, but it didn't work. I guess we'll just have to rebuild now. Ah shucks!'

The fanbase is way ahead of them. No need for the theatrics.