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

[viper0220]

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.

If you want to be very good and be a Stanley Cup Contender, you need elite talent. And the only way to get that is through the draft, very rarely do elite talent become available in a trade.

The course the Flames are on, they are most likely picking between 10-20 range, very rarely do you get elite game changing talent in that range.

Having assets is good but some of them need be high end(especially a center), we are in category of having good to decent assets but not elite.

Buffalo problems start from the ownership and bad management(the Calgary Flames have had the same issues), the Buffalo Sabres have been in the league for 54 season and they have appeared in the playoffs 29 times and no Stanley Cup. The Calgary Flames have been in the league 54 years but we will focus on their time in Calgary, the Calgary Flames have been in Calgary 44 seasons and they have made the playoffs 25 times with 1 Stanley Cup(which was in 1989), the records are fairly similar.

Chicago was a elite team not long ago and they started their rebuild not long ago and they have an elite piece in Connor Bedard, they have recent winning history.

As a Calgary Flames fan since 2001 and having only 1 exciting season(2004), I have come to the conclusion that it is unlikely the Calgary Flames, win a championship in my life time because they are stuck in mediocrity.

Having the pieces we have, we are not a contender and adding secondary assets, that are likely 2nd liners and decent top 4 D, is not going to change that.

 

[Bounces R Way]

This is literally year one of the rebuild/restock/reload/retool whatever you want to call it and there's really people who are upset all the building blocks for a long term contention window aren't in place already. Just not how this works guys.

 

[MakeCgyGreatAgain]

This is literally year one of the rebuild/restock/reload/retool whatever you want to call it and there's really people who are upset all the building blocks for a long term contention window aren't in place already. Just not how this works guys.

People are upset because the Flames are trending towards not being in the position to draft the players needed to build a top contender. You don’t get it. Flames would pick 20-30 and miss out on the playoffs while Habs have our 11-16 pick.

 

[Bounces R Way]

People are upset because the Flames are trending towards not being in the position to draft the players needed to build a top contender. You don’t get it. Flames would pick 20-30 and miss out on the playoffs while Habs have our 11-16 pick.

Oh dear god how will we ever survive without a precious 11-16 draft pick. We could be missing out on the next Honzek or Valimaki. Clearly just folding the franchise would be the better course of action.

I will reiterate that this is year one. They have two 1st rounders this year and two 1st rounders next year. Detroit and Montreal have been picking in the top 10 for years and haven't gotten an elite 1C out of the deal. Same with a lot of teams, Seattle used a #2 and #4 overall to draft centers and neither of them look top line quality. Drafting high isn't a guarantee of anything.

The Flames have a good bet for a offensive catalyst 1D in Parekh, they have the best young goalie in the league, and they have a ton of organizational depth on the wing. They have proven they can find value in the later rounds. They are onboarding young players well and those players are finding success. Fans bemoaning the fact that an elite center prospect hasn't fallen out of the sky for Conroy in year one is exactly the reason Canadian teams resist rebuilding at all.

 

[DomBarr]

This is literally year one of the rebuild/restock/reload/retool whatever you want to call it and there's really people who are upset all the building blocks for a long term contention window aren't in place already. Just not how this works guys.

I am not sure people are upset the building blocks are not in place. It is more related to a difference of opinion on
1) the quality of the existing blocks
2) how to acquire better blocks
3) are new blocks better than reusing old blocks
4) should they keep the right to pick new blocks in the future or trade that right for slightly used blocks
5) should they take a chance on reusing an old block for significant length of time or get rid of it in exchange for differently blocks.

 

[Some Other Flame]

Roger McQueen seems to be falling down the rankings; he's been injured pretty much all season. Considering he was a popular target before the season, Flames might be able to grab him anyway. Although they might have to trade up a little to do so.

Anyway, this season is shaping up to be another 2014-2015. It is what it is. And remember, they regressed heavily the following year, ending up with the 6th overall Tkachuk. Wouldn't be at all surprised for that to happen again. Kadri and Backlund are showing their age. Andersson is struggling with the heavy minutes. Huska isn't a great offensive coach. And if Wolf struggles for any reason, you've got a perfect mix for a bottom 10 team.

Although without elite offensive talent, the Flames are shaping up to be the Carey Price era Montreal Canadians

 

[MakeCgyGreatAgain]

Oh dear god how will we ever survive without a precious 11-16 draft pick. We could be missing out on the next Honzek or Valimaki. Clearly just folding the franchise would be the better course of action.

I will reiterate that this is year one. They have two 1st rounders this year and two 1st rounders next year. Detroit and Montreal have been picking in the top 10 for years and haven't gotten an elite 1C out of the deal. Same with a lot of teams, Seattle used a #2 and #4 overall to draft centers and neither of them look top line quality. Drafting high isn't a guarantee of anything.

The Flames have a good bet for an offensive catalyst 1D in Parekh, they have the best young goalie in the league, and they have a ton of organizational depth on the wing. They have proven they can find value in the later rounds. They are onboarding young players well and those players are finding success. Fans bemoaning the fact that an elite center prospect hasn't fallen out of the sky for Conroy in year one is exactly the reason Canadian teams resist rebuilding at all.

Very over the top dramatic. lol. People have a right to be upset. You have your opinions and everyone else is entitled to their own as well. Calling out people because they differ from yours and trying to insult them and degrade just shows what type of person you are. You aren’t convincing anyone else your right so let people have there opinion. And for clarification people aren’t upset that Flames will be giving up the 11th pick they are frustrated because they won’t have the chance to be picking top 5 or 10 in an incredible centre heavy draft. Although our history we gave the Islanders Dobson and the Bruins our pick when the Flames were likely to draft Barzal or Conner or Chabot. So fans have seen how it can hurt the team more than helping.

 

[JPeeper]

Very over the top dramatic. lol. People have a right to be upset. You have your opinions and everyone else is entitled to their own as well. Calling out people because they differ from yours and trying to insult them and degrade just shows what type of person you are. You aren’t convincing anyone else your right so let people have there opinion. And for clarification people aren’t upset that Flames will be giving up the 11th pick they are frustrated because they won’t have the chance to be picking top 5 or 10

bruh, in what world was @Bounces R Way insulting or degrading anyone?

The team is literally in the playoffs, our first rounder could turn into the 32nd overall pick and you'd still get that one fan who is like, "well we didn't get our franchise center this draft so good luck winning another Cup".

 

[viper0220]

Roger McQueen seems to be falling down the rankings; he's been injured pretty much all season. Considering he was a popular target before the season, Flames might be able to grab him anyway. Although they might have to trade up a little to do so.

Anyway, this season is shaping up to be another 2014-2015. It is what it is. And remember, they regressed heavily the following year, ending up with the 6th overall Tkachuk. Wouldn't be at all surprised for that to happen again. Kadri and Backlund are showing their age. Andersson is struggling with the heavy minutes. Huska isn't a great offensive coach. And if Wolf struggles for any reason, you've got a perfect mix for a bottom 10 team.

Although without elite offensive talent, the Flames are shaping up to be the Carey Price era Montreal Canadians

Roger McQueen is not falling down to us, unless we have a top 10 pick. And trading into the top 10 is going to very hard.

I think you are right about being a playoff team this year and sucking next year and I am fine with that because we will have our pick next year.

They have to be in the playoffs or be in the bottom 10 because losing the first round pick and not making the playoffs is going to suck balls.

 

[Lunatik]

Very over the top dramatic. lol.

The only people being over the top dramatic are the ones whining about us winning because we can't be the next failed rebuild with a series of top 10 picks, because....

wait for it....

Our rookie 23-year old goaltender is stealing us games... our 22 and 23 year-old forwards have emerged as legit top 6 players.... our 24-year-old defenseman from trading away our #1 goalie has emerged as a legit top-4 defenseman... and the guy whose contract everyone has been bitching and moaning about for the last 2+years is playing much closer to the level expected.

Boo f***ing Hoo.

 

[Bounces R Way]

Very over the top dramatic. lol. People have a right to be upset. You have your opinions and everyone else is entitled to their own as well. Calling out people because they differ from yours and trying to insult them and degrade just shows what type of person you are. You aren’t convincing anyone else your right so let people have there opinion. And for clarification people aren’t upset that Flames will be giving up the 11th pick they are frustrated because they won’t have the chance to be picking top 5 or 10

???
you quoted me man

Sorry the team doesn't suck as much as you think they should. Genuinely wonder what people wanted to see Conroy and the rest of the FO do to rectify that. Break Dustin Wolf's legs? You and some others have an opinion and I disagree with it. If that makes you feel degraded and insulted maybe this whole internet thing just isn't for you.

Building a contender IMO really isn't the voodoo it's made out to be. Starts with a very simple concept: have more good players than bad ones. I think the team is on it's way to doing just that. Will it require some more hits in the draft or in trade or in FA? Yes it will. But bitching about not having it all now in what is again the first year of our long term plan is simply short sighted impatience. The two best teams in the league right now are products of quality retools, not full tear down rebuilds. Could probably add Florida, Dallas, and Vegas to that list. Success begets success, you set high standards for your team and I think you're more likely to achieve high standards rather than just throwing in the towel losing on purpose to get the next shiniest teenager.

I am not sure people are upset the building blocks are not in place. It is more related to a difference of opinion on
1) the quality of the existing blocks
2) how to acquire better blocks
3) are new blocks better than reusing old blocks
4) should they keep the right to pick new blocks in the future or trade that right for slightly used blocks
5) should they take a chance on reusing an old block for significant length of time or get rid of it in exchange for differently blocks.

Those are all worthwhile questions. Certainly going to take some creativity on Conroy's part to figure out what blocks go where. But with Parekh and Wolf and how the organizational depth at both the winger and defenseman positions is looking I think we're off to a good start.

 

[Lunatik]

Oh dear god how will we ever survive without a precious 11-16 draft pick. We could be missing out on the next Honzek or Valimaki. Clearly just folding the franchise would be the better course of action.

I will reiterate that this is year one. They have two 1st rounders this year and two 1st rounders next year. Detroit and Montreal have been picking in the top 10 for years and haven't gotten an elite 1C out of the deal. Same with a lot of teams, Seattle used a #2 and #4 overall to draft centers and neither of them look top line quality. Drafting high isn't a guarantee of anything.

The Flames have a good bet for a offensive catalyst 1D in Parekh, they have the best young goalie in the league, and they have a ton of organizational depth on the wing. They have proven they can find value in the later rounds. They are onboarding young players well and those players are finding success. Fans bemoaning the fact that an elite center prospect hasn't fallen out of the sky for Conroy in year one is exactly the reason Canadian teams resist rebuilding at all.

Great Post

to add some additional context...

This is a breakdown of where forwards were drafted that are a PPG with 35+ games played.... these players range from age 22-39 (drafted 2003-2020), that's 18 years of drafting

Draft Position/Range	# of PP Forwards
1st Overall	6
2nd Overall	3
3rd Overall	4
4th-5th Overall	2
6th-10th Overall	7
11th-20th Overall	4
21st-32nd Overall	4
2nd Round	2
3rd-4th Round	1
5th-7th Round	2
Undrafted	1

Also of note... 11/36 are no longer with the team that drafted them... and 4 are pending UFAs

 

[MakeCgyGreatAgain]

???
you quoted me man

Sorry the team doesn't suck as much as you think they should. Genuinely wonder what people wanted to see Conroy and the rest of the FO do to rectify that. Break Dustin Wolf's legs? You and some others have an opinion and I disagree with it. If that makes you feel degraded and insulted maybe this whole internet thing just isn't for you.

Building a contender IMO really isn't the voodoo it's made out to be. Starts with a very simple concept: have more good players than bad ones. I think the team is on it's way to doing just that. Will it require some more hits in the draft or in trade or in FA? Yes it will. But bitching about not having it all now in what is again the first year of our long term plan is simply short sighted impatience. The two best teams in the league right now are products of quality retools, not full tear down rebuilds. Could probably add Florida, Dallas, and Vegas to that list. Success begets success, you set high standards for your team and I think you're more likely to achieve high standards rather than just throwing in the towel losing on purpose to get the next shiniest teenager.



Those are all worthwhile questions. Certainly going to take some creativity on Conroy's part to figure out what blocks go where. But with Parekh and Wolf and how the organizational depth at both the winger and defenseman positions is looking I think we're off to a good start.

I sure did quote you. You said it’s not how that works guys suggesting people who are on team tank have unreasonable expectations. Your were suggesting people had demands to have all the building blocks ready now and no one was actually saying that. People were saying in year one this should be an opportunity to get a franchise player because that’s usually when you suck the most and have the best shot at the top of the draft. I was trying to share with you what people were hoping for because you didn’t seem to get what other people were saying about it. You were off base of what was actually being said. So I was trying to clarify a bit. But it seems like you don’t really care about that it seems like you just wanted to be a troll. Also it was your over the top dramatic shit that I was referring to when I said trying to make others feel degraded and stuff. Like people that want to go in a different direction are so upset that it becomes that important to them. Everyone here has been discussing it not freaking out. So ‘the sky is falling” stuff basically is your way of degrading other people. Basically that looks like the “I’m taking my ball and going home” rather than having a rational discussion. So yeah you don’t really understand