cross16

You'd want to do more research on that one. I think we've already seen it in hockey where 1 player cannot turn around a franchise.

Minimal luck yes but your proposing to turn it over entirely to luck. Doesn't make sense to me. I don't buy the integrity argument. Why isn't that a thing in football where they have no lottery at all? I don't see an integrity issue here at all which is why i've always aid your trying to fix a problem that doesn't exist to each their own though.

I was really hoping Vegas would play the Oilers so they could hopefully both knock them out and get the Flames an upgraded pick. Not optimistic either of the Flames picks are gonna get upgraded.

Acquiring future assets and tanking are not the same thing to me. Of course he knew he wasn't going to win as much but it doesn't make sense to me that you would frame it that way. Don't think your factoring in the idea that potential has value in a trade. Ok he could have traded those players for players to help him now but is that more valuable than what he got in return? No chance IMO.

I'm not in favor of any system that based solely on luck. Team will still go through life cycles and if they don't get the right luck they could stay in that downward cycle for longer. That type of system makes no sense to me.

As i said above I don't agree with this.

Florida in 7 Bos in 6 Rangers in 5 Car in 4

Dallas in 6 Avs in 7 Nash in 7 Edm in 5

We clearly have a different definition of tanking. Tanking to me is losing on purpose making intentional and deliberate steps to make sure your team is as bad as they can be. I don't think that happens anymore with the lottery rules. I would have a problem with this if teams were doing it but as I said I don't think this is occurring. I do think teams shed assets and rebuild which to me is not tanking, it's just a life cycle or a pro sports franchise. That process comes with risk which is part of the reason why i don't think teams intentionally lose on purpose because often the risk in doing so outweighs the player your going to get.

we are not because what you describe as tanking I don’t think exists, therefore it’s not a problem.

Still think the idea that teams "tank" is flawed. Can ask any pro athlete and the idea that any of them would go out and lose on purpose is just flat out silly and wrong. This concept is for fans only and really isn't situated in fact. Do some teams ship everyone out, sure they do but that doesn't come without risk. All you have to do is look at the Oilers, Sabres and Islanders as team that got rid of basically everyone and then realized that the build up is pretty difficult. Could be Detroit in this bucket now too, Leafs even. Go look at the NFL. There isn't even a lottery there and tanking doesn't come up for them. Honestly not sure why this comes up as often as it does but it's a lot of discussion around a made up problem IMO.

Cayden Lindstrom

Only slightly. My bigger concern would be why are we targeting someone in a elite draft area who has not had elite production really at any level. Not saying he is not a good prospect, he is but I think his size has inflated his draft stock.

It has to be a 1 year deal as per the CBA. Any European player who is signing their first NHL contract between the age of 24-28 has to sign a 1 year deal. I don't know much about him, just his numbers certainly don't give you much hope, but either way depth was needed. With the plan to get Wolf NHL games next year the Flames don't actually have an NHL goalie under contract next year for the AHL as Dansk is a UFA. With Seergev staying in NCAA there also isn't a reserve list goalie who was heading to the AHL next year either. Does look like good depth for the AHL though

This is the only caveat worth discussion IMO and I do think it's unlikely. All reports I've heard is Kadri is really happy here and likes the direction of the team. Like Weegar he is happy to be part of the re tool. I think the other thing I would add is I actually think he had more suitors but I think the problem was he was very picky about where he wanted to go. I've heard he had a very small list of teams he would even engage with, so while there were some teams interested they go a "no" before they could even pitch. With a full NMC for the next 2 years I don't think that list is going to get larger. Highly unlikely Kadri goes anywhere anytime soon IMO.

Personally I don't think equipment can make you elite. avg to good, probably. Not to so good to average yup, but elite you have to have the skills to get there and equipment isn't going to do that. I can buy that equipment has led to a lowering of goalie performance/stats argument but I also think there are more important factors. I do think goalie development and the talent pipeline is down and in particular it's down in Canada. Who was the last goalie at the WJC you watched for Canada and went wow? Not that the tournament should be considered the be all end all but you look at the 90s, early 2000s and there's some pretty special names. Since 2008 Canada has only twice had the best goalie at the World Juniors and that was Joel Hofer and Devon Levi, neither of which I would say put out a standout performance. So the pipeline for Canada had dried up quite a bit and given where it use to be I think that's a large impact to the overall quality of goaltending we are seeing. Mostly though I think it's a tactical thing. I think the quality of shots goalies are facing are much harder. Analytics have shown the value of different shot locations, puck movement, change generation and the game has started to innovate more. Games a lot harder on goalies then it use to be IMO. That's my explanation anyway. I agree for sure that in today's game an elite goalie is not required to win a cup and would actually argue that in a cap system an elite goalie can actually hurt your chances at a cup once they get paid.

As a team it's marginal, Wolf's number look different and all of this at is 5 on 5. There are some small changes in the Flames number pre and post TDL but it's marginal if at all. Basically post TDL the games Markstorm have played have been very low event hockey. Yes it leads to a positive change in the defensive numbers, but the offensive numbers are down too.

Pre TDL (all rates/60 mins) 28.57 Shots Against 26.23 Saves .918 Save % 0.29 GSSAA 2.71 expected goals against 8.18 HD shots against. 7.15 HD saves and a .875 HDSV 0.3 HDGSAA 2.4 Rush attempts against and 5.64 rebound attempts against Post TDL 25.48 Shots Against 23.05 Saves .905 Save % 0.24 GSSAA 2.46 expected goals against 6.76 HD shots against. 5.55 HD saves and a .821 HDSV -0.12 HDGSAA 1.04 Rush attempts against and 3.99 rebound attempts against For the most part you are not really seeing a big difference statistically, especially when you consider sample size. Certainly not playing at a "backup level".

I don't really rank anymore. Just don't have the capacity to view and analyze. From what I have looked at, I agree that D is the better value in this draft but someone is always going to reach for a center or 2 which is why I think 8 is a good ledge to be on. Assuming Dickinson isn't available Zeev Buium is my favorite Dman.

I still think we are working through the COVID impacts on these kids and forget that they missed basically an entire year of development. Patience is always required but I think even more is required given the circumstances all these kids went through. Can't apply normal development rules to an abnormal environment/experience IMO. I only got to the 1 Wrangler game but I walked away happy with Kerins. He is such a well rounded center who takes care of the details, works hard all over the ice, and finds a way to make an impact. I think the Flames need to be a bit more intentional around building out his offensive game, but I woudln't be surprised if he pops next year because the foundation to his game is there. Stromgren was a work in progress when they picked him and while there is still a lot to want more of there, there's a lot of skills. I think until he maxes out his frame and his strength you won't know what you have.

Flames would likely have to go at least 3-1 to move behind Seattle. I don't see that happening. Like wise, Ottawa probably needs to win all 3 and they play NY and Boston. Guess we'll see but 8th is looking pretty likely to me which I'm fine with. Obviously higher is better but 8th was a big of a ledge for me in this draft. Not to much in terms of talent but I feel like 8 is the best spot to react in this draft. I think 5-8 could see a surprise or too, likely a Berky Cotton or Lindstrom and 8 put you in the best position to have someone slide. I think once you get to 9 and outside that's less likely.

I'm very happy the Flames are not locked into that deal with Hanifin. not a terrible deal just not one I would want to sign him to.

While all pro sports do to a certain extent, I think the NHL has had the most checkered past when it comes to perspective owners and ownership in general. If a motivated billionaire with experience running a pro sports team and what looks to be a very clean past comes calling, the NHL (and really any league) isn't going to say no. sometimes the market comes second to the quality of the owner. Bettman's job is to grow the business and teams in 2 of the biggest markets in the US grows the game more than in Quebec City. I get why he doesn't want a team there.

I like Salt Lake as a market for the NHL. Be interesting to see how it goes in Utah with some of their rules/religious beliefs but it's a beautiful place and in a pretty central location. Utah Jazz have had a pretty great following for many years and are a well run club so having that owner is a good thing for the NHL. I can also understand why the NHL doesn't want to leave Phoenix. It's a great market for the NHL to be in and I think the struggles there relate more to ownership/land then they do the market. But also count me in the camp that is not for expansion. 1 more team, ok.. 2 or more than that's going to go poorly I think. What could make this work is if the NHL can re engage with the KHL, or just expand overall internationally. I think there are still quite a few players that play outside the NHL that could still play here so if the plan is to expand I think the NHL needs to reach out to the international community to try and entice more players to come to the NHL earlier.