Calgary Flames - Path to Contention

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

Not every prospect has to be a superstar, but we have 2 potential ones already.

After that we just need to fill out the roster with good players who can score. We probably have 1 right now.

Nah, they need a real #1C

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by Bonded

Nah, they need a real #1C

Yeah I know.

I mean 2 potential stars in Parekh and Wolf.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

Yeah I know.

I mean 2 potential stars in Parekh and Wolf.

I know but they need a prospect with star center potential before they can focus on good players who can score.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by Bonded

I know but they need a prospect with star center potential before they can focus on good players who can score.

Yeah I know, I am agreeing with you.

I have been saying that forever. We need a star #1C. That will make the rebuild a lot easier, and its the only way to win in this league.

[Flamesfan05]

Can’t even see a path to contention until they drafted at least 2 star level forwards

[Funkhouser]

Originally Posted by dino7c

I still think the Vegas pick could be massive...just have a feeling about it

For the first off season since their inception, Vegas is weaker going into next season. I fully expect them to be mediocre this year, then reload to dominate in 2026.

Place Stone on LTIR
Get Drai as a UFA

No chance our Vegas pick is better than the late teens IMO

[Enoch Root]

LAK, VAN, EDM
COL, DAL, WPG

that leaves 2 spots to be fought over between:

NSH, MIN, SEA, STL, and VGS. And maybe even Utah

Very real chance VGS doesn't make the playoffs this year. Then it would be very interesting to see how they move forward - sign every FA they can, or throw in the towel? Considering they don't have their 1st in 26 , I doubt they throw in the towel. But just because you don't want to suck, doesn't mean you won't.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

If you are assuming that all players straight line decline after the age of 30 and there is 0 chance that he has a better season, sure he will not be traded.

Kadri's value in his time as a Flame has been buyout/trade a 1st to get rid of him to don't trade him unless you get a 1st. This has actually happened twice in 2 years. Could not be more up and down with him.

Has a player who makes over 10 million dollars ever been traded in the NHL outside of possible LTIR candidates? Comparing the trade value of a guy making two thirds of what someone else makes is not really and apples to apples comparison.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Funkhouser

For the first off season since their inception, Vegas is weaker going into next season. I fully expect them to be mediocre this year, then reload to dominate in 2026.

Place Stone on LTIR
Get Drai as a UFA

Yup, it's that simple. Because there's no way any other team will try to sign Draisaitl.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

LAK, VAN, EDM
COL, DAL, WPG

that leaves 2 spots to be fought over between:

NSH, MIN, SEA, STL, and VGS. And maybe even Utah

Very real chance VGS doesn't make the playoffs this year. Then it would be very interesting to see how they move forward - sign every FA they can, or throw in the towel? Considering they don't have their 1st in 26 , I doubt they throw in the towel. But just because you don't want to suck, doesn't mean you won't.

I’d say 5 spots are set. Don’t think LA just permanently have one. Either way, your point still stands. Vegas also has players with injury concerns:

Eichel
Stone
Hertl
Hill (maybe)
Pietrangelo likely could with age

And also Theodore likely walking because of Hanifin’s extension.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

I’d say 5 spots are set. Don’t think LA just permanently have one. Either way, your point still stands. Vegas also has players with injury concerns:

Eichel
Stone
Hertl
Hill (maybe)
Pietrangelo likely could with age

And also Theodore likely walking because of Hanifin’s extension.

I prefer they squeak in next year and then implode in 26 lol

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

I decided to do a look back at the 2001-2020 drafts (left out recent drafts...too soon) and did a comparison 1st OV vs the 100+ guys taken after them and who is the best player in their draft. Works out to be 50/50. Most elite players, other than a Panarin or Giordano are drafted players and some years there could be a debate who is better, and each person's opinion is different. I feel I was pretty fair with my evaluation and in some cases the 1OV player is not the best player but it's close.

2001 - Kovalchuk 1OV
2002- Nash 1OV
2003 - Staal/Bergeron/Getzlaf not 1OV
2004 - Ovechkin 1OV (there is only 1OV)
2005 - Crosby 1OV
2006 - Toews not 1OV
2007 - Kane 1OV
2008 - Stamkos 1OV
2009 - Hedman not 1OV
2010 - Seguin/Stone not 1OV
2011 - Miller/JG/Huberdeau/Landeskog not 1OV
2012 - Forsberg not 1OV
2013 - MacKinnon 1OV
2014 - Draisaitl not 1OV
2015 - McDavid 1OV
2016 - Matthews 1OV
2017 - Makar not 1OV
2018 - Q Hughes not 1OV
2019 - J Hughes 1OV
2020 - Stutzle not 1OV

Did not include goalies as you can get franchise goalies later in the draft as they rarely are picked early. It's pretty clear that 1st overall pick isn't a must, but it really is by far the best way to get a true elite superstar. 100's of players vs 1 every year and it's even IMO. We don't need to win the lottery, but it is a game changer if you do.

Interesting. As you note, there are a few instances where you can make arguments for others, Doughty/Stamkos for example.

Goes without saying but there can be a huge difference in years as to who is 1OA and that calibre of player relative to other years. In certain years, it truly is a toss up when you’re dealing with 18 year olds. These last two drafts, there was no question. Next year? I haven’t read too much about it yet but it sounds like Hagens is the early favourite. Frondell, Misa, Martone, and Ryabkin also seem to be getting early attention. I can’t say how close these guys really are or if it’s Hagens, then everyone else.

I don’t think the Flames will be the worst team in the league, nor the second. But I could see them in the bottom 5, especially after the TDL when, I bet, Kuzmenko and Mantha will almost certainly be traded. I think it will also be interesting to see if Coleman or Kadri are moved. I bet teams will be calling on those two. Post deadline, we could see a sharp turn towards the bottom.

The Flames seem to have built some depth on D and it could be a strong suit in 3-5 years time. They need that legitimate 1C and some 1st line scoring talent to accompany. Next two drafts, I think they can prioritize these profiles. Top on the list, 1C. Could Frondell be that? Dunno. McQueen?

One thing I am excited about, though, is it seems like the Flames could have their highest ever pick this year or next. I think I read that, un to 2020, the Flames and the Rangers were the only two teams to have never drafted 1OA (might have that wrong). This excluded Vegas at the time and obviously Seattle was not in the picture at that point. Laf also took the Rangers off that list the same year.

[Jason14h]

Flames have never even had a top 3 pick

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

Has a player who makes over 10 million dollars ever been traded in the NHL outside of possible LTIR candidates? Comparing the trade value of a guy making two thirds of what someone else makes is not really and apples to apples comparison.

But some are saying Kadri is worth a 1st which is more pretty good trade value. Huberdeau makes $10.5 mil and now and in the past that’s top 10 to 20 highest contract. In 3 years that might not be top 50

I never said Huberdeau would have trade value either…we just need to trade him in the next 3 years

[442scotty]

I think the Flames have some pretty good players right now. If they gel then anything can happen.

[flambers]

Continue to draft with high amount of picks per year, invest in player development....

Take advantage of the cap space, be willing to grab a crap contract with other pieces

[Reggie Dunlop]

1. Draft good players.
2. Trade bad players for good players.
3. ??????
4. Success!

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

Flames have never even had a top 3 pick

That’s about to change.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

That’s about to change.

Now watch them finish 31st overall, get leapfrogged by both lottery winners, and draft 4th.

Not saying it's going to happen that way, but drafting top-3 in a particular year is hard to arrange.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

Now watch them finish 31st overall, get leapfrogged by both lottery winners, and draft 4th.

Not saying it's going to happen that way, but drafting top-3 in a particular year is hard to arrange.

They say to speak things into the universe for it to happen.

Top 3 pick and Sydney Sweeney.