420since1974

Only works in a static environment with all teams being fairly equal in talent. The environment (number of teams) is always rising and the current 32 teams are no where near equal to each other.

There are a couple of intriguing, fast skating, big men who are predicted to be available when Calgary uses their pick in the second round (38th - 44th overall). Adam Jecho, 6'5", 201 lbs. Right side shooting RW who played for the WHL Oil Kings this season. 23g + 24a = 47p in 54 games. He will be back in the WHL next season. Dean Letourneau, 6'7", 209 lbs. Right side shooting C who played for St. Andrews College this season. 61g + 66a = 127p in 56 games. He will play for Boston College next season. Neither of them are projected to be elite; middle 6 at the NHL level would probably be their ceiling.

Looking ahead to the 2024 Entry Draft. Calgary is currently situated for the #12 pick. I believe that it is highly unlikely that the Flames go on a winning streak to pick worse than 18th. That said, I can't see them dropping any lower than 8th unless they win one of the lotteries. Calgary has their own pick and Vancouver's in the first round. As is normal for every team, they will likely pick the consensus BPAs, but they definitely need more potential Top 6 Centers and Top 4 Defensemen. Of course, right hand shot players will be always be preferred. So, I envision the Flames targeting Yakemchuk (RHD), Iginla (C/LW), Jiricek (RHD), Boisvert (C), Hage (C) or Kiviharju (LHD) with their first pick. They will probably look at Mews (RHD), Emery (RHD), Howe (C/LW), Hutson (LHD), and Wallenius (LHD) with Vancouver's pick.

Only if Florida's pick is better than Calgary's.

Calgary currently has 16 defensemen under contract that are eligible to fill the rosters of the Flames and the Wranglers. I am going to assume that by July 1, UFAs Kylington and Miromanov will be re-signed, and Gilbert, Oesterle, Poolman, and Pysyk will not. RFAs Okhotiuk, Kuznetsov, Solovyov, and Brady are likely to re-sign with Calgary. In my opinion, neither Boltmann or Jurmo from the reserve list will earn a contract. At only 18, Hurtig is just not ready to leave Sweden. I doubt that Lerby will ever make it across the seas from Europe. Morin will probably play in his 4th year in the QMJHL. This scenario leaves 2 - 4 open spots in the organization for D. As Calgary will most likely not pick high enough in the 2024 draft to obtain a “NHL ready” defenseman, Conroy and his pro scouts will have to look to fill those spots via free agency or trades. Let’s ignore trades for now as there is a separate thread for that. Which undrafted or UFA defensemen do you think that the Flames should pursue?

I looked for Michael Hage on 11 different mock draft websites. He is currently ranked 20, 21 (four times), 22 (twice), 24, 25, 27, & 30. The consensus is as a middle six center.

Agreed.

Depending on who you believe, there is a 63-74% chance that someone drafted in the first round plays any NHL games. That drops to a 25-34% chance in the second round. My opinion is that a late first has a one in three chance at making it to the NHL. If any team is desperate enough to offer the Flames a 2025 first round pick and a 2nd or 3rd in 2024 in exchange for this year's Vancouver pick, I'd take it.

+1 td.

I do not envision a huge change in the NHL and AHL rosters for next season. I don't feel that anyone on the Flames with any term will be traded before the next TDL. I think that Dube, Osterle, Poolman, Pysyk, and Gilbert will not be re-signed. Greer and Lyle are potentials at best. Damiani, Dansk, Jones, Kuznetsov, Okhotiuk, Schwindt, and Solovyov are probable. Kylington and Wolf are getting re-signed for sure.

I agree with TD, let Vegas win a round, and have Dallas beat out Vancouver in the WCF. That would give Calgary maximum return on their trades.

To me, it is mind boggling that the Oilers have gone so very many years without fixing their D and G. Arguably, they have had two of the Top 10 forwards in the NHL for several years and they still are not even close to being a threat to win the Stanley Cup. It is similar to how long the Flames took to find and sign a goalie like Markstrom. You may have differing opinions on Markstrom, but you have to admit, G is not Calgary's biggest weakness right now, as it has been ever since Kipper.

After the Tanev and Hanifin trades, I think that all but the most delusional fans are not expecting the Flames to make the play-offs this season. To me, all that is left to determine is does Calgary pick 8th or 16th pre-lottery? I'll never cheer for losses, but I know where I'd like to see them pick.

I have been a fan of the Calgary Flames ever since they moved here from Atlanta in 1980. During the 1988/1989 Stanley Cup season, Calgary’s Top 6 forwards were Gilmour, Loob, Mullen, Nieuwendyk, Otto, and Roberts. IMHO, since then the best top 6 forward configuration may have been: Gaudreau (LW) – Monahan (C) – Lindholm (C/RW) Mangiapane (LW/RW) – Backlund (C) – Tkachuk (LW/RW) If my memory serves me correctly, this was immediately after Frolik was traded to Buffalo in January 2020. The Flames had limited time with this set of Top 6 forwards; as the following year was the 56 game covid shortened season during which Monahan suffered his first major injury, which he unfortunately played through. What do you all think was the Flame's best Top 6 in their history?

Rooney's 4th line got caved in on all 3 goals against, but he was the only center to be at 50% on FOs. What the heck?