Speculation: Armchair GM 2024-25 Season, Craig Conroy's Can Do Calgary Flames

[Some Other Flame]

Pat Steinberg - Flames Mailbag: Will hot start derail Conroy's plans for rebuild?​

I got a few different iterations of this question, and understandably so in this market. Fans here have been conditioned to a team chasing immediate, often fleeting, success at the expense of building for something longer term. So, seeing the Flames go in a different direction under general manager Craig Conroy has been refreshing for many.

But if you’re worried Conroy is going to alter course from the plan he’s put in motion, you can rest easy. It’s my belief Conroy and the Flames are fully committed to seeing this through, which means not being distracted by on-ice success earlier than expected. Conroy stated this is a “three to five-year plan” at the NHL Draft in Las Vegas, and that plan remains in place.

Let’s not forget Conroy was part of Calgary’s front office the last time they were in a similar situation. Roughly a year into a retooling process, the 2014-15 season saw the Flames defy all expectations, make the playoffs, and even win a round. What followed, despite evidence of that season being somewhat of a mirage, was a clear deviation in approach.

Calgary was back to chasing immediate success way earlier than planned. I don’t believe that’s something Conroy and the Flames are ready to do this time around.

Now, that doesn’t mean using assets to help improve the team would be completely off the table. If it fits the vision. Conroy has said publicly he’d like to add a young (think 25 and under) and NHL ready centre to the group, for instance. And according to Frank Seravalli’s report earlier this week, that search remains active.

But a complete detour from the path the team is on doesn’t seem in the cards, even if Calgary’s strong start turns into a strong season.

Rebuild back on the menu

 

[Figgy44]

Hmm... could Protas be a target? Belarus connection?

 

[Sparky93]

Picking up a young, potential 2C/3C, for a vet, is hardly detrimental to the rebuild. A change of scenery trade, based on organizational need is also a good possibility. Trading picks should be an absolute no go, unless the center is very young and already well established, which is unlikely anyways.

 

[Rubi]

As I expected with regards to the fwd group. The defence is still a bit of a game of musical chairs.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1847323900486807967

 

[Lunatik]

As I expected with regards to the fwd group. The defence is still a bit of a game of musical chairs.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1847323900486807967

This is exactly why I was okay with the Barrie signing. Miro has been getting eaten alive and as a result he hasn't been confident making plays. Throw Barrie into that role and let Miro build himself back up.

 

[hockeyguy0022]

I still say Zegras is a good add. Still has a bit of time before he's looking for a big deal, try before you buy type of thing. Flames have time. Can also trade again if he looks good.

really no danger at all IMO. Depends on what Anaheim wants and flames are willing to lose. I would try and give them a prospect, like Pelletier and a high draft pick, 1st/2nd round. You will likely get that pick back trading him again anyway.

 

[Khrox]

"Where are you from? What is your place?"
"I keep pucks off."

More like
"Your last name means NOTHING. You must be goaltender now"

 

[FLAMESFAN]

The wins have been fun & the team looks good, but I fully do not expect to make the playoffs.
This is what I have been worried about since XMas last year. We're going to finish around 12th and end up giving a great pick away. A pick which would have been a great chance to get our biggest need for the longest time. Even more so if we just embraced the tank.
The only add I want to see is a cap dump and pick added.

I just wish we could have used Lindholm, Hanifin & Tanev to have landed a young C
Lundell would have been a great target - look how he's doing with his chance.

 

[Lunatik]

The wins have been fun & the team looks good, but I fully do not expect to make the playoffs.
This is what I have been worried about since XMas last year. We're going to finish around 12th and end up giving a great pick away. A pick which would have been a great chance to get our biggest need for the longest time. Even more so if we just embraced the tank.
The only add I want to see is a cap dump and pick added.

I just wish we could have used Lindholm, Hanifin & Tanev to have landed a young C
Lundell would have been a great target - look how he's doing with his chance.

You're worried that the team that finished 9th worst last season, and is considerably worse defensively than they were for 3/4 of the season last year will finish with a better record?

I'm in my mid-40s, live a sedentary lifestyle and have a terrible diet... I'm going to worry about losing too much weight

 

[Yepthatsme]

You're worried that the team that finished 9th worst last season, and is considerably worse defensively than they were for 3/4 of the season last year will finish with a better record?

I'm in my mid-40s, live a sedentary lifestyle and have a terrible diet... I'm going to worry about losing too much weight

I mean last years record was fueled by a 2-9-1 start, as well Markstrom mailing it in after being pissed off about his trade rumors/Vladars hip issues. We are also much improved offensively, adding Mantha and a full season of Kuzmenko, with Zary and Pospsil looking MUCH better this year.

Anyone who thinks we are just automatically having a worse record hasn’t been paying too much attention, especially with the hot start buoying the potential record.

 

[hockeyguy0022]

Can probably pick up PLD for almost nothing once he's unhappy in Washington.

Too big of a contract, will end up like nurse, but at least he's not a bad player, just moody/effort can be up and down.

but then again, you can pay a bit more and get zegas without the potential headache.

 

[Some Other Flame]

Zegras is the headache

 

[FLAMESFAN]

You're worried that the team that finished 9th worst last season, and is considerably worse defensively than they were for 3/4 of the season last year will finish with a better record?

I'm in my mid-40s, live a sedentary lifestyle and have a terrible diet... I'm going to worry about losing too much weight

Ya, I'm worried.

It's not about who is on the roster on paper. In these 4 games we played with more spark than 90% of the games lastyear. We have a much better F group than a team that is a bottom feeder.
But at the same time, we are clearly not a playoff team.