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

[Iggys Dome]

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.

Why would you do this to us

 

[Lunatik]

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.

This is in part why I suggested Acciari the other day. He'd be an upgrade on Rooney, but he's also skilled enough where maybe he, Lombo and Pospisil could produce. I don't hate Rooney like most on here, but I'd rather have Pos in the lineup.

 

[Felidae]

I still really didn't like they sent Kerins back down after being nearly a PPG player. If a guys got a bit of a chip on his shoulder (like the flames didn't play him in preseason for years). Then let him run until he goes cold. Flames need/want a centre, might as well play him. If a player is producing, keep them going until they go cold for 4-5 games in a row.

Can't shout about it being a production based game/pro sport and then not honour it so to speak.

I hate just putting the toes in the water.

I agree he didn't deserve to be sent down but what is better for him, playing top line minutes in the AHL or playing a limited role in the NHL as a 4th liner and not utilizing his talents to its full potential?

 

[Darth Vladar]

I agree he didn't deserve to be sent down but what is better for him, playing top line minutes in the AHL or playing a limited role in the NHL as a 4th liner and not utilizing his talents to its full potential?

This is the main reason I’m not too bent out of shape about it, though I’d still rather Huska bump Backs down to the fourth line and roll Naz-Frosty-Zary-Backs down the middle.

Huby-Naz-Pospy
Rango-Frosty-Coro
Coleman-Zary-Farabee
Lombo-Backs-Klapper

 

[Volica]

Why would you do this to us

This is the Andre shoots Hannibal meme.

 

[Zirakzigil]

This is in part why I suggested Acciari the other day. He'd be an upgrade on Rooney, but he's also skilled enough where maybe he, Lombo and Pospisil could produce. I don't hate Rooney like most on here, but I'd rather have Pos in the lineup.

Pos needs to figure it out. Playing himself out of the lineup in my opinion.

 

[Bounces R Way]

Pos needs to figure it out. Playing himself out of the lineup in my opinion.

How? He was put on the 4th line and suddenly that line has their best night since November.

He's a great F1 imo.

 

[super6646]

How? He was put on the 4th line and suddenly that line has their best night since November.

He's a great F1 imo.

Roondog got a better flow, that’s how

 

[Lunatik]

How? He was put on the 4th line and suddenly that line has their best night since November.

He's a great F1 imo.

I wouldn't be too quick to anoint Pospisil as the reason why the 4th line looked better. Lomberg clearly needed a break, he hadn't been playing nearly as well as earlier in teh year... and with how badly Rooney was struggling, a break and getting out of the rink and a chance to get out of his head was probably a great thing. I'm not discounting Pospisil, he also played well last game, but I think even that was also helped by the break.

 

[Zirakzigil]

How? He was put on the 4th line and suddenly that line has their best night since November.

He's a great F1 imo.

Pops has done nothing over the last 20 games to say he has to be in the lineup. You could make that argument for the entire season. He still hasn’t figured out the difference between pest and a dirty liability

 

[HighLifeMan]

Pospisil is of no risk of being removed from the lineup as he is by far our most physical player and an incredibly good forechecker to boot. He has also drawn the 2nd most penalties on the team, so even if you dislike his discipline, he still draws roughly as many as he takes.

The kid is a valuable asset to have around even if he's not the perfect hockey player.

 

[Darth Vladar]

Pospisil is of no risk of being removed from the lineup as he is by far our most physical player and an incredibly good forechecker to boot. He has also drawn the 2nd most penalties on the team, so even if you dislike his discipline, he still draws roughly as many as he takes.

The kid is a valuable asset to have around even if he's not the perfect hockey player.

Not to mention capable of top-10 speed in the NHL. Hands of solid rock, though. I wish they’d focus more on improving his offense.

 

[Bounces R Way]

Pops has done nothing over the last 20 games to say he has to be in the lineup. You could make that argument for the entire season. He still hasn’t figured out the difference between pest and a dirty liability

Guess I just don't see it that way. He leads the team in hits by a large margin despite averaging less than 14 minutes a night. 2nd in CF% among forwards behind only Coleman. Behind only Weegar as far as regular skaters GF% goes. Very disruptive forechecker and really quite quality defensively.

I don't think he's been as good as last year especially offensively but pretty clear the numbers say he's still been a net positive. That major they gave him for the hit on Hall I thought was a total crap reputation call.

I wouldn't be too quick to anoint Pospisil as the reason why the 4th line looked better. Lomberg clearly needed a break, he hadn't been playing nearly as well as earlier in teh year... and with how badly Rooney was struggling, a break and getting out of the rink and a chance to get out of his head was probably a great thing. I'm not discounting Pospisil, he also played well last game, but I think even that was also helped by the break.

Ya, I mean they played well too. Had more energy definitely. I've always liked Marty as a prospect for the bottom 6 and now that the roster has the kind of forward depth to actually play him there I think that's the role he's best suited for. Would definitely sit Rooney or Lombo before him at this point.

 

[Khrox]

Pospisil has been rough this season, no denying it. But he's also been playing in a position that he really shouldn't be. He works best as a bottom six guy where he can also be a netfront guy on his line. When he's playing with Hubey, he's the guy getting pucks out of the corner, which is good. They need that, but if that's what most his O-zone time is doing, it's taking away from his ability to be the netfront guy creating chaos and tipping shots. On a fourth line, especially with Lombo and Rooney, all 3 of them can dig pucks out of corners, which means if Lombo or Rooney is on it, Posp gets to play in front of the net and actually contribute offensively on the line a bit more.

 

[super6646]

I thought our fourth line didn’t look like total shet for the first time in months. Speaks wonders to his play.

I think pospisil is a guy that can play bottom or middle 6 minutes in a pinch, but he looked very good tonight

 

[viper0220]

Why do you guys think that this season will play out? Because I think the way this season plays out will decide, what this team does going forward.

My worst fear is(and it is coming true), is that this team makes the playoffs and they sign Anderrson to a big contract and they continue to spin their wheels in no man’s land.

 

[Volica]

Why do you guys think that this season will play out? Because I think the way this season plays out will decide, what this team does going forward.

My worst fear is(and it is coming true), is that this team makes the playoffs and they sign Anderrson to a big contract and they continue to spin their wheels in no man’s land.

Building blocks.
I don’t think it’s a tire spinning situation because I think that there’s progress. More youth, a larger focus on skill.

Look, where would this team be this year without Wolf, Coronato, Zary, Bahl, among others? These are guys that’ll be building blocks for the club. A playoff race isn’t bad, it’s going to have the young guys playing at a higher level.

My fear isn’t Rasmus. My fear is that they anchor themselves on a big contract this summer because they feel they’re closer than they are. Rantanen, Marner, Bennett.

 

[Darth Vladar]

Building blocks.
I don’t think it’s a tire spinning situation because I think that there’s progress. More youth, a larger focus on skill.

Look, where would this team be this year without Wolf, Coronato, Zary, Bahl, among others? These are guys that’ll be building blocks for the club. A playoff race isn’t bad, it’s going to have the young guys playing at a higher level.

My fear isn’t Rasmus. My fear is that they anchor themselves on a big contract this summer because they feel they’re closer than they are. Rantanen, Marner, Bennett.

If a guy like Rantanen or Marner wants to sign here, let’s go

 

[joescores]

Pops has done nothing over the last 20 games to say he has to be in the lineup. You could make that argument for the entire season. He still hasn’t figured out the difference between pest and a dirty liability

I disagree with this statement.

Building blocks.
I don’t think it’s a tire spinning situation because I think that there’s progress. More youth, a larger focus on skill.

Look, where would this team be this year without Wolf, Coronato, Zary, Bahl, among others? These are guys that’ll be building blocks for the club. A playoff race isn’t bad, it’s going to have the young guys playing at a higher level.

My fear isn’t Rasmus. My fear is that they anchor themselves on a big contract this summer because they feel they’re closer than they are. Rantanen, Marner, Bennett.

We don't need Rantanen, Marner or Bennett, agreed. Keep fulfilling our 5 year plan.

 

[DomBarr]

This team is the definition of tire spinning. Outside of Wolf and possibly Parekh this team does not have the foundational parts or the building blocks needed to build a long term SC Contender. Coronato, Zary Bahl etc are all good supporting players but not players you focus a build around.

and Extending Andersson is the same thing as going out and signing Bennett, etc except he will get the extra year. I get why there is support to extend him BUT objectively it does not fit the timelines

 

[viper0220]

This team is the definition of tire spinning. Outside of Wolf and possibly Parekh this team does not have the foundational parts or the building blocks needed to build a long term SC Contender. Coronato, Zary Bahl etc are all good supporting players but not players you focus a build around.

and Extending Andersson is the same thing as going out and signing Bennett, etc except he will get the extra year. I get why there is support to extend him BUT objectively it does not fit the timelines

This is how I feel. Wolf and possibly Parekh are the only cornerstones we have, this team does not elite players and that is going to hurt.

I don’t think we are going to get them outside of the draft with high picks.

If this team makes the playoffs, we know what is going to happen and we have seen this playbook many times before.

They sign Anderrson to an 8 year contract and they go and sign overpaid vets in free agency, unfortunately it is headed this way.

Fans overvalue the prospects they have, every teams fans do this and rightl now the Flames are one.

 

[Darth Vladar]

Fans overvalue the prospects they have, every teams fans do this and rightl now the Flames are one.

Except for the fact that we objectively have one of the better prospect pools in the entire league.

 

[Volica]

If a guy like Rantanen or Marner wants to sign here, let’s go

Rantanen looks like he could be the next Huberdeau contract of the NHL unless he goes somewhere that has what the Avs had. It hasn't worked in Carolina. They're much worse with him in the lineup versus Necas. They're like 1-7 and he's been dumped off the Aho line already.

 

[HighLifeMan]

I don't agree at all that this team is spinning it's tires. There isn't some set in stone blue print for building a winner despite what the full on rebuild crowd will shout from the rooftops and at the very least Conroy has put an emphasis on accumulating assets and selling pieces that don't have a desire to be here long term. That's a great start.

The more assets you acquire the more flexibility and opportunity you have to add the necessary and needed pieces. This is a better team than most give it credit for. They are building a strong culture that demands a high level of compete and attention to detail, and that is being instilled in the young core players in Wolf, Zary, and Coronato. Look at the frustration levels and culture being built in places like Buffalo and Chicago as prime examples of the risks that come will completely blowing up an organization.

The amount of luck it also takes to build a consistent contender should also not be overlooked with the amount of parity there is in this league. One trade, or one draft pick (in any round) can completely change the outlook of an organization completely.

Pissing away draft picks on older pending UFA's is how organizations end up staying in mediocrity, and to date Conroy hasn't shown a willingness whatsoever to do that. I also don't think overpaying elite talent in FA is a bad thing. What must be avoided is the long term deals at a high number for secondary pieces like the Neal's, Brouwers etc.. of the world.

Conroy has done a ton of good things since becoming GM, and so long as that continues things will only continue to get better.

 

[viper0220]

Except for the fact that we objectively have one of the better prospect pools in the entire league.

What we have, will mostly likely be 2nd liners or top 4 D, if they pan out.

We don't have game breaking talent, this is what has haunted this organization for most of its history.