Assumes Calgary loses the play-in to Winnipeg, more of just a visualization of what Calgary getting 3 first round picks this year could look like.
Philosophically, I don't think the Flames are in a very good situation as an organization. They're currently struggling with mediocrity and have an almost non-existent prospect pool. Solving the mediocrity through UFA (like signing Taylor Hall) is a short-term solution that'll only come to cripple the Flames when the cash runs out or when Hall can't torpedo himself into the end boards any longer. Prospects and building through the draft are key, and this is likely the draft to really do it.
The team takes a short-term hit for a brighter future in this AGM: the Pacific division should remain fairly weak for the next few seasons, which gives this iteration of the Flames a chance to sneak into a wildcard position (at least) while the prospects mature and develop. Once the Flames' new barn opens for the 2025 season (projected date?), the team should be much closer to contending. Top-end depth obviously took a cut, but the bottom-six is arguably stronger than recent memory. The Flames still have a strong blueline to work with and have an effective tandem in BSD and Dadbot: I don't see this being a basement team unless a series of catastrophic injuries occurs.
If the season goes disastrously, there are readily expendable pieces on this roster that can be used to turn more assets at the draft. I think Ceci on a prove-you're-still-an-NHLer deal would be high value, especially in a quieter market out west.
Primarily used McKenzie's list with some finagling: idea was around BPA for the #8 and #25 picks and addressing an organizational need at #13. Wolf's great sure, but the league is moving to a two-goalies-for-success model, and Calgary's been long without a premier goaltender since the days where Kiprusoff gave me nightmares. Holtz injects high-end skill and comes with a right shot,: I'd anticipate him being NHL-ready by next season, but if the Flames want to give him the extra season and avoid rushing him a la Bennett, their choice. Askarov gives Calgary a nightmare tandem in as little as 3 years: Wolf likely sees one more year in junior, at least half a season in the ECHL, and a full season in the AHL. I think Askarov jumps right into the NHL once his KHL contract expires: he's been dominant at effectively every turn in his young career and I don't believe an adjustment will be necessary. I saw a comment in a Flames AGM about wanting more blueliners at this draft. Given the higher need for top-four talent on the right side, I went with Barron. If Foudy develops into a quality middle-six center, the Flames will have done well. Otherwise, as a RW, he's still a valuable asset to the club but likely peaks as a #3RW.
I actually got to see Barron at the Gretzky-Hlinka when it came to Edmonton in 2018: he was one of the best defenders in the tournament. I think the step back he took this year had more to do with the Mooseheads taking a step back this year. I think Barron stands to be the 2nd or 3rd best defender from this draft. I'm low on Guhle and Schneider, and haven't researched enough on Grans or Wallinder to form a legitimate opinion on them.
Frost and Pelletier are likely vying for full-time NHL employment now, but force-feeding them the extra development year is not going to hurt them. Ideally, Frost steps onto the NHL roster ready to play as the #2C after this season. I hope he and Mittelstadt push each other and help give the Flames a dynamic run of skill centers down the top three lines of their roster. With Tkachuk, Lindholm, Haifin, Andersson, and Valimaki already on the roster, the additions of Frost, Petellier, Mittelstadt, Holtz, Askarov, Wolf, and Barron sets up the Flames phenomenally well for the future. The addition of a premier defender and another high-end winger is all this team would lack from being perennial favourites for the Stanley Cup. Given that most of this core would be coming in during or immediately after the flat-cap era on their ELC deals, affording this roster long-term should be easy. Thus, making the less-glamourous decision now, selling on two players that have defined the modern Flames, and building for a much brighter tomorrow likely turns the Flames into a much better team.
I'm not big on flipping Bennett in this AGM for a middle-six LW (ie; Johnsson) given that this team effectively has 9 middle-six players on the roster. He's been offensively stunted, but perhaps there's another layer he can really develop to his game and he can become a top-tier penalty-killing, shutdown, defensive specialist with the right kind of training. He's physical and a quick look at his stats shows me that he's not defensively inept. If he could be signed to a lower AAV but for long-term, he'd be permanent value to Calgary's bottom-six. I just don't see the value in flipping him for someone that's statistically likely to produce equivalently to his numbers or for a bottom-pair shutdown defender. A bit of growth and investment in a home-grown player could give the Flames a piece that helps mitigate a division that's about to see a massive influx of talent (LA specifically).
Credit to @Itwasin for most of the trades; I'm not incredibly familiar with the Flames' system and being able to refer to your AGMs helped.
BUF is not saying yes. I wouldnt do it for the 8th overall pick by itself. Let alone adding. CAL would need to add.
Ya why give up an 8th overall pick for a young C who just finished his 7th Straight 20+ Goal season. I mean that 8th overall pick MIGHT end up being as good as him so why would buffalo add? 🤔🙄
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