The Bright Side

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

-The Flames dealt all of their UFAs for not insignificant returns. This already is a huge win and change of philosophy for this franchise. If Vegas wins a round they'll have 5 picks in the first two rounds of this draft. The cupboards one way or another should be teeming with new talents to follow to supplement a healthy pool that already exists.

-Hunter Brzusteiwicz is going strong with 73 assists and 85 points in his OHL season, neck and neck with Zayne Parehk who is a d-man that could go top 10 in this draft - this shows just how much Hunter has raised his stock.

-Since November 4, the team is 28-18-5, that's a playoff points percentage.

-There's a not insignificant chance they can re-sign Tanev in the summer and recoup half of their most important defense pairing.

-There is a defense-first d-man on the way in Gruschnikov who has looked good for the Wranglers who the team is very bullish on and is likely to make the transition in relatively short order.

-Poirier is also nearing his NHL audition, a forgotten top prospect who started the season putting up over a PPG in the AHL. This blue line could be very offensively gifted next season!

-We kept Markstrom which disgruntles some but if he can retain the form of 2 of his last 3 seasons, anything can happen with this guy backstopping the team.

-Wolf could pan out. If he does, we're set for a decade or more in net. Even with a shaky start, this remains a distinct possibility.

-The PP can only get better if they move on from Savard and add a powerplay QB in the off-season. This team with even an average powerplay is fun to consider.

-The last two contests aside, Huberdeau is finding his old form. He is back to making unreal passes and playing much more assertive, something we weren't sure we would treated to here.

-The Flames are tracking to draft about 12th overall (maybe better). That's Tij Iginla territory!

-Sharangovich is for real. A slam dunk trade by Conroy and he should just continue to improve.

What else can we add to this list?

[Slanter]

Kadri has been pretty darn good, and has shown he can mentor youg players.

Backlund's leadership has been exceptional. Somehow he's kept these guys motivated to the point where today's game is pretty much the first poor effort of the season. And it was an understandable one given the full context of the trip.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

-There is a new arena on the way that will make Roger's place seem decrepit by comparison because it will be a decade old at that point. We can look forward to nhl events and being the newest envy of the league in terms of facilities.

[albertGQ]

Wouldn’t the Vegas 2nd rounder be in 2025 and not in 2024?

[Backstop]

Sharky is found money, love that guy.

[Jason14h]

The bright side is every loss gets us closer to elite talent in the draft this year .

In 3 months no one will remember these games . But they will remember if with can draft Tij

[Reggie Dunlop]

When you're chewing on life's gristle
Don't grumble, give a whistle
And this'll help things turn out for the best

[Slanter]

Originally Posted by Backstop

Sharky is found money, love that guy.

I hope we can find some way to keep him. It'll have to be realistic, obviously, but we should have some cap room until all the stars we draft this year start commanding big dollars

[Yeah_Baby]

Tanev isn't coming back. He wants to win and we're just not there yet. If he wanted to stay he'd have been signed not traded.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Yeah_Baby

Tanev isn't coming back. He wants to win and we're just not there yet. If he wanted to stay he'd have been signed not traded.

That’s not the bright side.

[Goriders]

This might be a required thread next season. For sanity.

[Yeah_Baby]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

That’s not the bright side.

Swimming though sick lullabies.