Where it really comes together for the Flames in this rebuild is they already have their franchise goalie. That was the missing piece in the last run that really killed a couple of seasons.
So if they can still bottom out in the next two years with him and draft their franchise forwards, look out (plus, with the extra late firsts, they can keep their prospect cupboard full which will help with the longevity of the next run).
It's a tricky thing with Wolf. On one hand, I hope continues to develop and truly becomes the franchise goalie...on the other, can he maybe not try too hard over the next year or two?
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For a team to be contenders, they need TWO good Cs - whether Reschny tops out as a 2C, or can be part of a top line, I think there is a good chance that he can be one of the 2 Cs.
Without trying to predict exactly where they top out, I would have the following categories:
Wildcards (if they hit, they could be core):
Potter, Wyttenbach, Stockselius
Roster players (good, but not 'core'):
Zary, Honzek, Brzustewicz, Bahl, Kuznetsov
Longer shots (if any work out, awesome):
Suniev, Basha, Battaglia, Morin, Mews, Stromgren, Kerins, King, Misa
I think out of all that, you've got between 8 and 12 players, 14 or so if all goes perfectly. That is lots to work with, considering we have a few more years to add more pieces.
I actually think that Kuznetsov could turn into a core piece. What he is doing in his first year in the NHL is extremely impressive.
Bad in 12-13 - allowed them to get Monahan (6th overall)
Bad in 13-14 - allowed them to get Bennett (4th overall)
Miracle year in 14-15
Bad in 14-15 - allowed them to get Tkachuk (6th overall)
Also got the world's rarest breakout in Giordano who suddenly become elite at age 30.
We are essentially at the 12-13 season in terms of the rebuild. If you can land two star players in the next two drafts - then you can dream. But have to be willing to suck next year as well.
Yep. Two 'A' level Centre prospects, arguably franchise potential when it came to Bennett.
The best forwards on our next competitive team likely haven't been picked yet. There's a long way to go, and we have a lot more suffering to do before it's all said and done.
So now the guy that was bullied in the past is bullying the guy that we're not allowed to bully!
(Not directed at you Scorp ... and I think the abuse you took a few years ago was jealousy for the effort you put in. Many of the same culprits now take it out on "insiders" for generally the same reasons now)
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He also played the entire WJC and was an impact player there. That excuse doesn't work.
Parekh just needs time to bring his defensive technique up to an acceptable level for the pros, that's all. I don't think it will take him very long, but he is absolutely not ready today.
Absolutely.
I think Bruz is clearly two years ahead of him (in age and development). He has amazing skill, he'll get there, but it's quite possible Whitecloud and his contract won't be a block at all.
It seemed lots of people on here thought Rasmus would get a mid first, top prospect and more. But instead we got a late 1st and a depth vet. Somebody was even saying Boston was trading possibly both their 1sts.
And I don't know who was saying it becaue there are so many messages on here. But I think clearly the value people put on a message board does not always correlate with real life. Because obviously Conroy is going to take the best deal possible.
So maybe you are right but who knows.
The trade happened 24 hours ago and you already can't remember what the details are?
Or are you leaving things out ....
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All I know is that I want a team that legitimately aspires to greatness... no more striving to be perpetually Mid. I want a team that will consider getting bounced in the 2nd round of the playoffs to be a failure not a great success. Give me a Flames team with some gotdamn ambition.
I don't think Whitecloud is blocking Parekh at all. I think we just need to get through this year tbh. This whole can't send Parekh to the AHL has been a big issue that gets alleviated after this year. The kid just needs to play games NOT in the OHL.
I think Kuznetsov and Brz are both on track to be top 4 Dmen for this team, as soon as this year when you compare them to the Weegar and Rasmus trajectories.
That gives Parehk time to work things out, but doesn't leave alot of room for Whitecloud. Feels like a waste to hold onto him for #5 minutes.
I don't think Whitecloud is blocking Parekh at all. I think we just need to get through this year tbh. This whole can't send Parekh to the AHL has been a big issue that gets alleviated after this year. The kid just needs to play games NOT in the OHL.
if he's not blocking Parekh, then he's blocking Kuz and/or Brz.
and if he's not blocking any of them, then he's get 5/6 minutes which feels like a waste to hang onto him for that.
So now the guy that was bullied in the past is bullying the guy that we're not allowed to bully!
(Not directed at you Scorp ... and I think the abuse you took a few years ago was jealousy for the effort you put in. Many of the same culprits now take it out on "insiders" for generally the same reasons now)
I am fine with what Scorpion replied to me and he is a great poster. I haven't even said I was being bullied so I am confused what point you are trying to make.
That gives Parehk time to work things out, but doesn't leave alot of room for Whitecloud. Feels like a waste to hold onto him for #5 minutes.
9 games to the deadline, would be curious what kind of increase to market you can build in that timeframe if you played him way more. Love the idea of playing the hell out of him and then shipping him off, such an easy guy to move with his skillset/cap/experience/apparently likability.
It also wouldn't shock me if they just kept him around as a "culture" guy and moved him next year or the year after, hope not though.
Keeping him around the problem becomes a little easier long term if you're open to moving Weegar to the Left.
if he's not blocking Parekh, then he's blocking Kuz and/or Brz.
and if he's not blocking any of them, then he's get 5/6 minutes which feels like a waste to hang onto him for that.
He's a RD. Until Parekh comes back he's not blocking him. When he does, I expect Parekh will be given offensive starts and PP, Whitecloud will be the opposite.
There is no way Brz should be playing more than 3rd pairing minutes now. He's 21 and only has 15 games under his belt. I expect him to continue his pattern of a few games in and then a few games observing. And was averaging 13+ minutes per game with Andersson in the lineup getting 24+. I have no idea why Whitecloud in the lineup would get him down to 5-6 minutes. Until Parekh returns Brz is going to get powerplay minutes as well.
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I like those pairings. You can insulate Parekh from defensive zone starts and shelter him on the road as well by starting Weegar with Bahl (and Weegar jumps off once the Flames have possession).
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9 games to the deadline, would be curious what kind of increase to market you can build in that timeframe if you played him way more. Love the idea of playing the hell out of him and then shipping him off, such an easy guy to move with his skillset/cap/experience/apparently likability.
It also wouldn't shock me if they just kept him around as a "culture" guy and moved him next year or the year after, hope not though.
Keeping him around the problem becomes a little easier long term if you're open to moving Weegar to the Left.
Yeah you can make the minutes work, but that was kind of my point. What's the point of having him play 4/5 minutes everynight.
We have older D that can play up and down Weegar, Bahl, Hanley and Parekh. We have tweeners if we need like Miro and Cicek. We have kids that are pushing in Brz, Kuz and Parekh.
It just feels like a waste. His most attractive feature is the term on his contract, flip him at high value. I'm not saying right this second, but by the deadline forsure.
Last edited by traptor; 01-19-2026 at 03:09 PM.
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He's a RD. Until Parekh comes back he's not blocking him. When he does, I expect Parekh will be given offensive starts and PP, Whitecloud will be the opposite.
There is no way Brz should be playing more than 3rd pairing minutes now. He's 21 and only has 15 games under his belt. I expect him to continue his pattern of a few games in and then a few games observing. And was averaging 13+ minutes per game with Andersson in the lineup getting 24+. I have no idea why Whitecloud in the lineup would get him down to 5-6 minutes. Until Parekh returns Brz is going to get powerplay minutes as well.
Rasmus at the same point in his career as Brz was average 16:02.
The season after (Brz next year), Rasmus was average 19:56.
