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

[Bounces R Way]

Just because he is miscast here, doesnt mean hes not an NHLer. Guy is pretty much what you want on any 4th line. Just so happens the Flames need a a right shot center who can win a draw. People werent complaining when the 4th line was Lombo - Rooney - Kirkland

He sucks. And usually if you suck when you make what he makes you don't get to be an NHLer. He has 9pts in what is getting very close to 100 GP now with the Flames. Those just aren't NHLer numbers. Maybe if he was real physical or great defensively or did literally anything other than getting ran over both physically and metaphorically matchup wise you could justify him having played 44 games this season.

There are much more worthwhile players on the Wranglers. This is at least supposed to be a rebuild, I don't care if he brings Huska his latte every morning and helps setup the cones.

 

[JPeeper]

Just because he is miscast here, doesnt mean hes not an NHLer. Guy is pretty much what you want on any 4th line. Just so happens the Flames need a a right shot center who can win a draw. People werent complaining when the 4th line was Lombo - Rooney - Kirkland

 

[Darth Vladar]

Just because he is miscast here, doesnt mean hes not an NHLer. Guy is pretty much what you want on any 4th line. Just so happens the Flames need a a right shot center who can win a draw. People werent complaining when the 4th line was Lombo - Rooney - Kirkland

 

[Siignal]

3 points off a wildcard, 3 points off bottom 10, 5 points off bottom 7.

2-3 games in hand on most teams.

 

[Bounces R Way]

3 points off a wildcard, 3 points off bottom 10, 5 points off bottom 7.

Another year of Calgary Flames hockey babyyyy

 

[joescores]

3 points off a wildcard, 3 points off bottom 10, 5 points off bottom 7.

2-3 games in hand on most teams.

The PO race is a nice trap. Lankinen was very very good vs Vegas. With Demko being out, I don't see this a bonus...

 

[Siignal]

The PO race is a nice trap. Lankinen was very very good vs Vegas. With Demko being out, I don't see this a bonus...

Scraping into the playoffs isn't worth the potential downside at the draft (I've been team tank all season)

 

[joescores]

Scraping into the playoffs isn't worth the potential downside at the draft (I've been team tank all season)

Agreed and I am inclined to firmly join your bandwagon. Part of me wants to start Vladar vs Sharks, that would give them a chance but it ain't happening. Bottom 10 is super realistic at this point.

 

[Lunatik]

Just because he is miscast here, doesnt mean hes not an NHLer. Guy is pretty much what you want on any 4th line. Just so happens the Flames need a a right shot center who can win a draw. People werent complaining when the 4th line was Lombo - Rooney - Kirkland

I think inconsistent is a better term than miscast. He was decant last year and early this year, but was terrible in 2022-23 and then more recently.

 

[KodakGinger]

wouldn’t mind trying to ship Coleman out at the deadline. Dream would be send Kadri out. Give Zary 1C and let him run with it for the rest of the year.

 

[Darth Vladar]

wouldn’t mind trying to ship Coleman out at the deadline. Dream would be send Kadri out. Give Zary 1C and let him run with it for the rest of the year.

I’d sooner see Backs on the fourth line than ship Naz out.

 

[Figgy44]

Some people say the Roon dawg sucks and they want him off the team, but are also on team tank. I don't fully understand.

 

[super6646]

Some people say the Roon dawg sucks and they want him off the team, but are also on team tank. I don't fully understand.

They want to tank but also want younger upside players rather than whatever tf roondog provides.

Dont necessarily agree with them, but I see the logic

 

[Figgy44]

They want to tank but also want younger upside players rather than whatever tf roondog provides.

Dont necessarily agree with them, but I see the logic

Maybe... But I don't know if we have any of those. I can see Rooney over Kerins vs Kerins playing low minutes on 4th line. Make Kerin play top minutes this season to be a candidate 4C option next season. Rooney wouldn't be up if both Kirkland and Zary wasn't injured IMO.

 

[Lunatik]

Looking at the pending UFA list and I can't help but wonder who Conroy will target. I think the following are realist targets...

Goaltenders
[Either a Vet Backup or an 'age appropriate' to battle Cooley for backup spot]

• Jake Allen
• Frederik Andersen
• Brandon Bussi
• Kappo Kahkonen
• Jonathan Quick
• David Rittich
• Dan Vladar

Defensemen
[Age appropriate defenseman that can currently or could soon grow into top 4 minutes]

• Declan Chisholm (LH, 25)
• Jakob Chychryn (LH, 26)
• Marc Del Gaizo (LH, 25)
• Dante Fabbro (RH, 26)
• Ryan Lindgren (LH, 27)

Forwards
[Age appropriate RHC]

• Jake Evans (C, RH, 28)
• Luke Kunin (C, RH, 27

 

[Darth Vladar]

Looking at the pending UFA list and I can't help but wonder who Conroy will target. I think the following are realist targets...

Goaltenders
[Either a Vet Backup or an 'age appropriate' to battle Cooley for backup spot]

• Jake Allen
• Frederik Andersen
• Brandon Bussi
• Kappo Kahkonen
• Jonathan Quick
• David Rittich
• Dan Vladar

Defensemen
[Age appropriate defenseman that can currently or could soon grow into top 4 minutes]

• Declan Chisholm (LH, 25)
• Jakob Chychryn (LH, 26)
• Marc Del Gaizo (LH, 25)
• Dante Fabbro (RH, 26)
• Ryan Lindgren (LH, 27)

Forwards
[Age appropriate RHC]

• Jake Evans (C, RH, 28)
• Luke Kunin (C, RH, 27

By all accounts, Chychryn is happy in Washington. He is likely driving up his price. Why sign now when he can sign as a cup champ? If the Caps DO win he’ll have been a big part of their success, there’s no way they move him before the deadline.

I honestly can’t see Conny targeting D any other way than via trade. I’m sure plan A is to have our top-four next season consist of Bahl-Raz-Weegar-Parekh, but if it turns out Zayne needs more seasoning (and/or if we end up trading Raz), top-four talent is what we’ll need, and not sure any of the guys listed there (besides Chychryn) quite fit the bill.

 

[joescores]

Before the end of last season, we played the Sharks and I was keen for us to lose that game, so we could pick highest possible in the incoming draft. We were 2 down after the second and I was extatic...We managed to win that game, effectively dropped to #9 in draft but selected Parekh, who seems to be a real great pick so far.

Last night, I wanted us to play Vladar and lose again as the upcoming stretch of games suggests we will not make it... Huska of course starts Wolfie who was really handy and we won the game ugly, bridging us 1 pt away from the PO with a game in hand..

Conclusion, I am terribly on the fence here, but perhaps, it will not be a bad idea to let the chips fall wherever is needed and we go from there....

 

[Lunatik]

By all accounts, Chychryn is happy in Washington. He is likely driving up his price. Why sign now when he can sign as a cup champ? If the Caps DO win he’ll have been a big part of their success, there’s no way they move him before the deadline.

I honestly can’t see Conny targeting D any other way than via trade. I’m sure plan A is to have our top-four next season consist of Bahl-Raz-Weegar-Parekh, but if it turns out Zayne needs more seasoning (and/or if we end up trading Raz), top-four talent is what we’ll need, and not sure any of the guys listed there (besides Chychryn) quite fit the bill.

1. No one suggested the Caps would trade Chychryn and a player saying they are happy is fine and dandy, but they still want to be compensated to a level they feel is fair. This is also Chychryn's only shot at free agency during his prime, he's going to sign for 7/8 years, so he will want to maximize his earnings.
2. Teams don't pencil in junior eligible players into their lineups before free agency, not unless it's someone like Celebrini or Bedard. It's even less common for defensemen. Not a single defenseman drafted in 2023 has played an NHL game yet... of 2022 draftees only 2 (Korchinski and Mintyukov) have played equivalent to a full season in the NHL and they both are with 2 of the 3 worst franchises over the past 3 years... and even then Chicago has Korchinki in the AHL this year because he wasn't NHL ready.
3. Chychryn is the only top pair defenseman listed, but Lindgren is a legit top 4 defenseman... Chisholm has been the #5 with the Wild and stepped into the top 4 ass needed.... Fabbro, I don't know what happen in Nashville this year, but he was a staple on their Blue line the last 2 year and since going to the Blue Jackets he's been playing over 20 minutes a night and has been excelling.... Del Gaizo, you are right, I thought he'd played significantly more this year, he's not a potential top 4 option, but could be a depth option.

 

[Darth Vladar]

1. No one suggested the Caps would trade Chychryn and a player saying they are happy is fine and dandy, but they still want to be compensated to a level they feel is fair. This is also Chychryn's only shot at free agency during his prime, he's going to sign for 7/8 years, so he will want to maximize his earnings.
2. Teams don't pencil in junior eligible players into their lineups before free agency, not unless it's someone like Celebrini or Bedard. It's even less common for defensemen. Not a single defenseman drafted in 2023 has played an NHL game yet... of 2022 draftees only 2 (Korchinski and Mintyukov) have played equivalent to a full season in the NHL and they both are with 2 of the 3 worst franchises over the past 3 years... and even then Chicago has Korchinki in the AHL this year because he wasn't NHL ready.
3. Chychryn is the only top pair defenseman listed, but Lindgren is a legit top 4 defenseman... Chisholm has been the #5 with the Wild and stepped into the top 4 ass needed.... Fabbro, I don't know what happen in Nashville this year, but he was a staple on their Blue line the last 2 year and since going to the Blue Jackets he's been playing over 20 minutes a night and has been excelling.... Del Gaizo, you are right, I thought he'd played significantly more this year, he's not a potential top 4 option, but could be a depth option.

Insane Lane: “Am I a joke to you?”

 

[Lunatik]

View attachment 981992

Insane Lane: “Am I a joke to you?”

Drafted in 2022 and less than 60 GP... like I said only 2 have more than a full season.

 

[Figgy44]

View attachment 981992

Insane Lane: “Am I a joke to you?”

Is it just me, or does he look like a baby MMA fighter?

 

[Zirakzigil]

Maybe... But I don't know if we have any of those. I can see Rooney over Kerins vs Kerins playing low minutes on 4th line. Make Kerin play top minutes this season to be a candidate 4C option next season. Rooney wouldn't be up if both Kirkland and Zary wasn't injured IMO.

Kerins is not a 4th liner. Hes not coming in to play defensive heavy minutes. Morton is the guy that could, but the Flames want him to stay in the AHL this season. Conroy is burning up mobile minutes trying to find a cheap right handed center. That much is well known. Unless the Flames bomb out this road trip, I am betting the 4th line becomes Lombo - new center - Rooney. Pospisil is playing himself off the roster in my opinion. He cant figure out the line between high energy pest and dirty idiot.

 

[Figgy44]

Kerins is not a 4th liner. Hes not coming in to play defensive heavy minutes. Morton is the guy that could, but the Flames want him to stay in the AHL this season. Conroy is burning up mobile minutes trying to find a cheap right handed center. That much is well known. Unless the Flames bomb out this road trip, I am betting the 4th line becomes Lombo - new center - Rooney. Pospisil is playing himself off the roster in my opinion. He cant figure out the line between high energy pest and dirty idiot.

I think we're saying the same thing. I'm saying when we're currently on our 3rd reserve/depth C guy (Zary/Kirkland), there's worse than Rooney, but Rooney is better than a Kerins or Morton as of right now.

More than that would be nice, but also kinda greedy. Especially in a rebuild state/situation.

 

[Volica]

Anyone watch that US/Canada final and just think of the road not taken by the Flames? I felt our fingerprints were ALL over that game, while have zero players involved.

- MacKinnon, Flames won our meaningless games and ended up drafting 6th instead of 1st.
- Bennett, highest pick ever, traded him for a bag of pucks after never even giving him a look at centre in the top 6 for the 7 years he was here.
- Tkachuk, another Flames pick, clearly the heartbeat of the US team, a trade that'll go down as one of our worst ever, with our history of bad trades.
- Hanifin, looked bad in that final, was a core piece for us we gave away for what'll likely end up being nothing.
- Eichel, we know the story here.
- Point, his dad begged the Flames to take him at the draft. We drafted 3 guys outside the first round before Point went off the board, they have a combined NHL stats of 0 games, 0 goals, 0 assists, 0 saves.
- Reinhart, the Flames were tanking for Reino in 13/14.
- Stone, we know the story here.
- Fox, we know the story here too.

Lots of what ifs and whys.

This team really needs to commit to building a contender and not taking shortcuts in this retool/rebuild. I know the focus is the 27 season, but like you think of all the close calls, this team would be in such a different postion than it is today.

I wouldn't be overly surprised if the club offers Bennett a deal in the summer. I think he's more of a piece you add to a contender to take them over-the-top, but this team just feels like they're always looking for guys like him.