Which non-Flames UFAs do we target?

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by New Era

Or maybe its just the pre-draft hype building up to give you that impression. This has been considered a mediocre draft for a couple of years and doesn't appear to have improved. The bloggers are doing a great job building up hype over players that a year ago few had heard of. I think the reason you believe there are as many as 5 elite players in this draft is because of the repetition factor. Time will tell how good this draft is, but it is unlikely you get 5 elite talents out of this draft. Hopefully for the Flames, drafting at #4, your projection is right.

My comment that you quoted was referring to next year's draft.

Another poster was suggesting we use next year's pick to get a quality player because we won't get McDavid anyway. I was suggesting that there is far more than just one player in that draft

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

To get anywhere near a spot where Columbus wouldn't match you'd have to be up in the 2015 1st, 2nd, 3rd round pick plus 2106 1st or four straight first round picks.

Its not just going to take the one first rounder to get these guys.

match what, I never said to offer sheet anyone. I would consider trading the pick. If you wouldn't thats fine

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

.....the Flames could improve and finish 7th last next season, and the odds of getting the #1 is 4.7%.

Teams worse than us next year:
- Buffalo
- Edmonton
- Carolina

I think we finish next season right around where we finished this year, 4th. That gives us a 10.7% chance at #1, and finishing bottom 3 would not surprise me at all.

they could finish above 7, they could make the playoffs, all these things factor into the odds. I'm good with my 2% chance number. Remember in my scenario the team is adding a big time player after trading the pick and I am also assuming Burke is going to add some other talent. The Flames aren't the kind of organization that is just gonna concede to sucking for a few years for draft picks they are going to do what they can to improve the team.

all I'm saying is I would see whats out there

[Enoch Root]

what big time player would you suggest?

[JohnnyHockey]

Wouldn't mind seeing a guy like Andrej Meszaros.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by enoch root

what big time player would you suggest?

ror

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

My comment that you quoted was referring to next year's draft.

Another poster was suggesting we use next year's pick to get a quality player because we won't get McDavid anyway. I was suggesting that there is far more than just one player in that draft

That makes more sense then. Carry on!

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

I'm really not sold on Setoguchi. He's really regressed since leaving San Jose, mostly defensively, and has problems with work ethic. He scores goals, but does little else. Reminds me too much of Glencross and we already have one of those at an assumedly better price.

Seoguchi was a Huge disappointment on the Jets. Why would he do better in the Stempniak role (filler on the top 6) on the Flames. He played that role on the Jets.

[ricardodw]

Where is all the love gone for Stempniak?

A lot of folks wanted him when we had him but now that he is gone getting him back is not a good idea?

[really?]

Originally Posted by snipetype

NOBODY! Let the young guys play

Hopefully the way management sees it. People have suggested Matt Greene. That would be a wise move, but bringing in forwards on anything more than a one or two year deal would be detrimental. Guys like Reinhart, Granlund and Baertschi will be ready for full time NHL duty with a good offseason. Gaudreau, Knight, Poirier and maybe even the first round pick may push for big club minutes next year, and within 2-3 years guys like Arnold and Klimchuk may be ready for some roll with the team. This offseason is the wrong time to commit to long term deals up front. Once Glencross and Jones are gone and the organization has a better read on the futures of the current young guys, then they might want to look at a more significant acquisition.

[Caged Great]

The problem with letting the young guys play is that we have to hit the cap floor. Unless we give Westgarth a 1 year 10 million dollar contract, we will have to spend the money somewhere.

Whether that's subbing a higher paid guy in for a guy like Butler, or getting a direct replacement for Cammy with another Cammy priced player, who knows.

we'll have to get someone though. We can't not hit the floor.

[Critter4223]

Originally Posted by Wolfman

I don't know about everybody else, but...I want to be in the playoffs next year. This hoping for McDavid or Eichel is a joke. With last years and this years draft we are in a better position prospect wise. I'm sick of not being in the playoffs.

Not being in the playoffs sucks, but not being realistic and seeing that this team is still miles away from being a cup contender is dangerous. You can sign some mid end talent in ufa's, hope for career years by 6-8 guys again, trade away a couple 1st round picks for players, and make the playoffs for a couple years and be right back where we were 2 yrs ago. Best bet is rebuild right get your high picks hopefully end up with one or two franchise players and develop all you prospects correctly. Then you'll have a team ready to contend for a decade not one that makes the playoffs here and there

[Caged Great]

There is almost no way the Flames will make the playoffs next year.

Gaudreau would have to win the Calder, Sven would have to put everything together, Poirier would have to be the runner up for the Calder, and #4 would have to have a Monahan like season. That's in addition to some signings and free agents. We only have 2 top six forwards next year (Hudler and Monahan). We need to have 5+ to make the playoffs.

We are likely 2 years away from the playoffs at the best scenario, and not a contender for 3 or 4.

[$ven27]

And that's being generous. A lot of things will have to go right to be a contender within 3-4 years.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

We only have 2 top six forwards next year (Hudler and Monahan). We need to have 5+ to make the playoffs.

And that's being very generous regarding Monahan.
I have no doubt he will be a great top six, and there is also no doubt he's got a long way to go to be that right now.

[GreenLantern2814]

A part of me would like to see the Flames take a run at Callahan. We've got the cap space. He adds toughness, leadership and a little offense to the top six. Even at $6M over 5 years, I think we'd see value from that deal.

Not super married to the idea by any stretch, but it'd send a good message to the rest of the league.

[The Fonz]

I'd be okay with giving Callahan 6.5m per year, but would have to be shorter term. 3 years.

I don't think he takes that term though.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by New Era

Or maybe its just the pre-draft hype building up to give you that impression. This has been considered a mediocre draft for a couple of years and doesn't appear to have improved. The bloggers are doing a great job building up hype over players that a year ago few had heard of. I think the reason you believe there are as many as 5 elite players in this draft is because of the repetition factor. Time will tell how good this draft is, but it is unlikely you get 5 elite talents out of this draft. Hopefully for the Flames, drafting at #4, your projection is right.

A mediocre draft doesn't necessarily mean that the top end is crappy. It can mean that the depth drops off rapidly and the players in the 11-30 range are much worse than in deeper years.

The top end looks decent in this draft. No generational talents or superstars but there looks to be 1st line talent for sure.

[The Fonz]

We gotta get that Niskanen.

[TheDebaser]

I'll just add that Gaudreau is a top-6 talent today. I think if he can play as well as he did in his first nhl game, he can only get better next year with more coaching and some time to work on fitness. Just going off of that game in Vancouver, Gaudreau will be a force in our top 6 next year.

Add Glencross (when he shows up) and Backlund too and suddenly we have 5 2nd line players on our team.

Backlund and Ramo seem to think that this team has a shot at the playoffs. I wouldn't put money on it, but you know what? I don't think I'd bet against them either.