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

[Ledge And Dairy]

No. The reality is there isn't 1 way to build a team. Full stop. That does not make the opposing view to yours "flawed"


No, it's a conflicting opinion to that of people who cheer for losses... which we've been told by mods is acceptable... despite how f***ing stupid it is

So your issue is people cheering for losses? Very few people here do and anyone who is actively doing so is not a genuine fan.

I am on team tank but when I sit down and watch the games I am absolutely cheering for the Flames to win every time.

The difference is despite cheering for them I know there is clearly not enough talent on this roster and our pipeline doesn't have anyone besides Zayne that can probably provide that top end talent. It's why I'm also in favor of trading for Cozens, EP40, or Zegras. We need someone who has 1C potential if we want any chance at a cup. We nearly went 3 games without scoring a goal, you can talk all you want about how getting in will give the young guys experience but that means nothing when we can't get the talent needed to win a cup

 

[Tkachuk Norris]

Carlo… only if we trade Rasmus for a steal of a deal does that make any sense. This team can’t score, not sure how Carlo helps that issue

 

[DomBarr]

A playoff race is great for development of Wolf, Coronato, Zary, Bahl, Pospisil and Pachal (I think there is more to him since it's his first opportunity to play every night at this level and teh defensive game can always grow)... learning to play important games is good, even if you aren't immediately successful.

If the team loses, they lose, I never expected the team to do this well this year. But this whole "team tank" is utter f***ing garbage and reeks of people that hate watch things just to complain and tell the internet how they'd do a better job.

Us cheering for the players on our team doesn't affect the outcome of the game. Whining on the internet about teh team winning more games than expected doesn't change the Flames plan. So why be miserable instead of trying to enjoy what's in front of us? This is supposed to be entertainment for us.

The current management group has a plan, they are going to stick to it. That plan is maximum effort, add pieces that will help for years to come, move out out players that will be leaving and add prospects and draft capital.

I am not a true "Team Tank" as I do not want the team to sell off all the vets for futures and leave the kids to figure it out.
But this team has issues which will NOT be solved by trading picks and prospects for another middle 6 center, winger or mid-pair left shot dman regardless of age nor will they be solved by extending 29/30 YO players to max term contracts.

 

[Lunatik]

You know it's a great position when you have to resort to calling people "f***ing stupid" instead of making counter points.

I said the opinion was f***ing stupid. There is a significant difference, absolutely anyone of any intelligence can have a stupid opinion.

So your issue is people cheering for losses? Very few people here do and anyone who is actively doing so is not a genuine fan.

I am on team tank but when I sit down and watch the games I am absolutely cheering for the Flames to win every time.

To me that's not "team tank"... that sounds like where I am, accepting we aren't a good team but cheering for them anyways because I love the team

 

[BobColesNasalCavity]

Weegar Ras Pach Miro Parekh Brz Mews Grush all on the right side already Craig.

 

[Ledge And Dairy]

I said the opinion was f***ing stupid. There is a significant difference, absolutely anyone of any intelligence can have a stupid opinion.


To me that's not "team tank"... that sounds like where I am, accepting we aren't a good team but cheering for them anyways because I love the team

Ok but you are arguing with people here about it. I accept that this team is bad. I think the best way to fix that is another top 10 pick and we are only 2 points out of that. I don't get upset when the team loses, but I do cheer when they score. I am not in favour of re-signing Ras despite how much I love him as player, as I don't think he fits our timeline well at all.

The way I view it is don't complain about wins but be rational. Maybe you are just being Devil's advocate but the "playoff experience" you are trying to argue for is imo pretty meaningless. This team will get slaughtered by Winnipeg in round 1.

 

[Lunatik]

Weegar Ras Pach Miro Parekh Brz Mews Grush all on the right side already Craig.

• Weegar plays both and would likely be paired with Carlo.
• Ras may be moved as early as this summer.
• Pachal is an average 3rd pair guy at best.
• Miro is hot f***ing garbage and anything that keeps him further from teh ice is a good idea.
• Parekh if he makes it will be playing sheltered 3rd pairing minutes, Carlo would be top 4, likely with Weegar.
• Brzustewicz is likely to spend at least 1 more year in the AHL
• Mews is at least 2 more years (more likrly 3-4) away and Carlo has 2 years left.
• Grushnikov is a natural LD

I'm not saying we should target Carlo, but this idea we shouldn't because we have too many RD is an utter fallacy.

 

[Lunatik]

Ok but you are arguing with people here about it. I accept that this team is bad. I think the best way to fix that is another top 10 pick and we are only 2 points out of that. I don't get upset when the team loses, but I do cheer when they score. I am not in favour of re-signing Ras despite how much I love him as player, as I don't think he fits our timeline well at all.

The way I view it is don't complain about wins but be rational. Maybe you are just being Devil's advocate but the "playoff experience" you are trying to argue for is imo pretty meaningless. This team will get slaughtered by Winnipeg in round 1.

There are people complaining about wins, they complain about winning games years later because "what if", that's the people I have an issue with. Hell in the GDT yesterday there was actually someone more or less cheering for Farabee to be injured.

This was my post that got people debating... while we may view the importance of learning to play in important games differently, from what you've said it sounds like we are mostly on the same page.

A playoff race is great for development of Wolf, Coronato, Zary, Bahl, Pospisil and Pachal (I think there is more to him since it's his first opportunity to play every night at this level and teh defensive game can always grow)... learning to play important games is good, even if you aren't immediately successful.

If the team loses, they lose, I never expected the team to do this well this year. But this whole "team tank" is utter f***ing garbage and reeks of people that hate watch things just to complain and tell the internet how they'd do a better job.

Us cheering for the players on our team doesn't affect the outcome of the game. Whining on the internet about teh team winning more games than expected doesn't change the Flames plan. So why be miserable instead of trying to enjoy what's in front of us? This is supposed to be entertainment for us.

The current management group has a plan, they are going to stick to it. That plan is maximum effort, add pieces that will help for years to come, move out out players that will be leaving and add prospects and draft capital.

 

[Kielbasa]

I said the opinion was f***ing stupid. There is a significant difference, absolutely anyone of any intelligence can have a stupid opinion.


To me that's not "team tank"... that sounds like where I am, accepting we aren't a good team but cheering for them anyways because I love the team

You're missing my point, what I'm saying is that the Flames have to be worse before they can be better in a meaningful way. That I'm willing to grit my teeth a watch a couple of shitty seasons if that means being able to draft a proper 1C prospect for once.

On the current trajectory, I expect the next ten years to look a lot like the last 20. I would rather watch a bad team for a few years if it gives the Flames a shot a being a contender or a while. Sounds better than yet another gentleman's sweep in the first round.

 

[DomBarr]

What do you guys think about this?

bleccchhhh...the only reason to do that is if Andersson is getting traded. The right side D is not the issue currently or going forward.

 

[Khrox]

• Parekh if he makes it will be playing sheltered 3rd pairing minutes, Carlo would be top 4, likely with Weegar.

If Parekh makes the team, I assume they probably pair him with Weegar primarily (Parekh getting third pairing minutes but sheltered with Weegs to help him adapt to the pro game, Weegar probably still plays second/first pairing minutes with a second partner as well)

 

[joescores]

You know it's a great position when you have to resort to calling people "f***ing stupid" instead of making counter points.

I don't like to watch the Flames lose as much as the next guy. The inconvenient truth is that this league is designed for teams to go through boom/bust cycles bc of the zero sum draft system that rewards the worst with the best talents. If you want to go fight the tide, go right ahead, but it seems ill advised to me.

The are infinite ways to build a team, what I pointing out is most of the teams that have won cups were built around teams core talents taken high in the draft. What I'm pointing out is maybe the Flames not having a top 15 centre in the league for the past three decades and the Flames almost never drafting high is connected.

Just ignore him and save your energy. Go to your profile and set it up. He can't help himself.

 

[Lunatik]

You're missing my point, what I'm saying is that the Flames have to be worse before they can be better in a meaningful way. That I'm willing to grit my teeth a watch a couple of shitty seasons if that means being able to draft a proper 1C prospect for once.

On the current trajectory, I expect the next ten years to look a lot like the last 20. I would rather watch a bad team for a few years if it gives the Flames a shot a being a contender or a while. Sounds better than yet another gentleman's sweep in the first round.

No, I get your point, you clearly seen to be incapable of grasping mine, you're literally arguing shit I've never said.

I'm not saying the Flames should go out and spend assets or anything to get decent fast. In fact, the post that started all this I outright stated I expected them to be bad. I argued until I was blue in teh face this team would be bottom 5 this year.

But there is a big difference between expecting the team to be bad and accepting that, and cheering against the team.

I'm just saying fans cheer for their team. FULL STOP.

When it comes to asset management, if you are clamoring to trade guys away to intentionally get worse (I'm not saying you are), all I have to ask is... why? It's never going to happen. The only good players we will see moved are ones that are nearing contract expiration. People that expect more than that to happen and being upset about that are literally only making themselves miserable.

As fans we have zero power in how the team is run, so all we can do it hope for the best regardless of whether or not we would do the same thing if we had power. If someone can't do that, why are they even calling themselves a fan?

If Parekh makes the team, I assume they probably pair him with Weegar primarily (Parekh getting third pairing minutes but sheltered with Weegs to help him adapt to the pro game, Weegar probably still plays second/first pairing minutes with a second partner as well)

I highly doubt that, they will want to give him soft minutes, at least to start the season.

 

[Ledge And Dairy]

If Parekh makes the team, I assume they probably pair him with Weegar primarily (Parekh getting third pairing minutes but sheltered with Weegs to help him adapt to the pro game, Weegar probably still plays second/first pairing minutes with a second partner as well)

If Parekh makes the team he will probably be playing 18+ minutes a night pretty early on. I think he does make it and the offense he will provide will make a big difference pretty quickly.

 

[Lunatik]

Walker Duehr back on waivers today.

I assume we put in a claim so we can send him to the Wranglers if no one else does.

 

[Darth Vladar]

The rumour out of Buffalo is that Adams wants roster players, not picks or prospects. I still say the Sabres are by and large our best trading partner for Raz. Their D is stacked with LHS Dahlin, Power, Samuelsson, and Bryam, but decidedly bereft of RHS. I’d prefer to take their 2026 1st back in any deal for Razzy, but their 2025 1st promises to be a high one, and would give us three picks in the first round this year. Only thing is, Conny would have to act on it now.

To BUF:

Raz Andersson

To CGY

2025 1st + 2026 2nd + RHD Simon-Pier Brunet (123rd pick - 2024)

 

[Ledge And Dairy]

The rumour out of Buffalo is that Adams wants roster players, not picks or prospects. I still say the Sabres are by and large our best trading partner for Raz. Their D is stacked with LHS Dahlin, Power, Samuelsson, and Bryam, but decidedly bereft of RHS. I’d prefer to take their 2026 1st back in any deal for Razzy, but their 2025 1st promises to be a high one, and would give us three picks in the first round this year. Only thing is, Conny would have to act on it now.

To BUF:

Raz Andersson

To CGY

2025 1st + 2026 2nd + RHD Simon-Pier Brunet (123rd pick - 2024)


View attachment 986009

Buffalo is currently poised to pick 4th OA and are currently 13 points out of WC2 in the east. You don't seriously think Ras is worth that pick do you? Let alone a 2nd and a prospect on top of that.

 

[Lunatik]

The rumour out of Buffalo is that Adams wants roster players, not picks or prospects. I still say the Sabres are by and large our best trading partner for Raz. Their D is stacked with LHS Dahlin, Power, Samuelsson, and Bryam, but decidedly bereft of RHS. I’d prefer to take their 2026 1st back in any deal for Razzy, but their 2025 1st promises to be a high one, and would give us three picks in the first round this year. Only thing is, Conny would have to act on it now.

To BUF:

Raz Andersson

To CGY

2025 1st + 2026 2nd + RHD Simon-Pier Brunet (123rd pick - 2024)

Buffalo is too skittish to trade for a guy with 1+ years left. They will only go after someone that is eligible (and willing) to sign an extension, or someone with more than 1 year of term left. That is a big reason why they had such a hard-on for Tuch in the Eichel deal and weren't interested in Tkachuk; they know that no one actually wants to play for their organization.

I also doubt Ras waives to go to Buffalo.

Also it should be noted that Dahlin prefers RD and has actually played better there.

If Ras is available (and that is a mighty mighty big if)... I think the Jets come hard after him... they have a couple nice prospects (Yager, Lambert, Lucius are all RHS centers), still have 8/9 of their top 3 rounds picks over the next 3 years and haven't been bleeding draft picks in recent drafts (3 firsts, 2 seconds and 2 thirds selected i teh past 3 drafts.

 

[Darth Vladar]

Buffalo is currently poised to pick 4th OA and are currently 13 points out of WC2 in the east. You don't seriously think Ras is worth that pick do you? Let alone a 2nd and a prospect on top of that.

It’s funny, because every time I’ve proposed this very trade (on other sites, with the ‘26 1st though instead of the ‘25), the general consensus is that I’m undervaluing Raz. No shit.

Buffalo IS presently poised to pick 4th, but Anaheim is at 7th, only four points ahead and a game in hand with like 20 something games to go. The Flames pick is poised to be 17th right now; what are the odds that’s still the case at season’s end? A lot can happen, is what I’m trying to say.

 

[Don John]

There are now 2 clear camps of Flames fans.

Ones who would fail the marshmallow test, and ones who would pass it.

In your analogy the people that wait 30 years to eat the marshmallow when it has gone rotten and they have died of starvation?

 

[Ledge And Dairy]

It’s funny, because every time I’ve proposed this very trade (on other sites, with the ‘26 1st though instead of the ‘25), the general consensus is that I’m undervaluing Raz. No shit.

Buffalo IS presently poised to pick 4th, but Anaheim is at 7th, only four points ahead and a game in hand with like 20 something games to go. The Flames pick is poised to be 17th right now; what are the odds that’s still the case at season’s end? A lot can happen, is what I’m trying to say.

A lot can change yes but you have to think more logically here. Buffalo has just over 3 days to make decisions here it is near impossible for them to get into the playoffs at this point. So whats the point of trading what is currently a top 5 pick to maybe pick 8th-14th instead?

If there is a trade between these 2 teams it isn't happening until the offseason. Calgary isn't going to move Andersson this deadline because they are close enough the playoffs and selling one of their only good defensemen would be a clear vote of no confidence. As for Buffalo, they want to add players but they aren't going to trade for someone they aren't sure they can re-sign. Since Ras can't negotiate an extension until July 1st then Buffalo likely won't have interest until then.

Any team calling for Andersson this deadline is a team that is contending now. They would want him at his dirt cheap deal for 2 playoff runs. Someone like Dallas

 

[Darth Vladar]

A lot can change yes but you have to think more logically here. Buffalo has just over 3 days to make decisions here it is near impossible for them to get into the playoffs at this point. So whats the point of trading what is currently a top 5 pick to maybe pick 8th-14th instead?

If there is a trade between these 2 teams it isn't happening until the offseason. Calgary isn't going to move Andersson this deadline because they are close enough the playoffs and selling one of their only good defensemen would be a clear vote of no confidence. As for Buffalo, they want to add players but they aren't going to trade for someone they aren't sure they can re-sign. Since Ras can't negotiate an extension until July 1st then Buffalo likely won't have interest until then.

Any team calling for Andersson this deadline is a team that is contending now. They would want him at his dirt cheap deal for 2 playoff runs. Someone like Dallas

Three days until the deadline, but its not like Adams (or any GM) isn’t constantly working the phones, weighing out pros and cons, seeing what the best options are, etc. over the course of the whole season. Any decisions made (or not made) won’t only be in the next three days per se. For the longest time, it seemed all but certain that Cozens would be on the move, whereas now it’s seeming more likely that he’ll stay put. If Razzy is a guy that Adams has any interest in, he could pull the trigger on a deal now (especially with one more year left at a reasonable hit) rather than let another team slide in ahead of him. As far as it being a vote of “no-confidence”, Raz hasn’t been very good this year overall imho. Part of my concern is that the longer we wait to move him, the further his stock goes down. But you’re probably right in that any team most likely to deal for him now will be one that’s already contending.

 

[Ledge And Dairy]

Three days until the deadline, but its not like Adams (or any GM) isn’t constantly working the phones, weighing out pros and cons, seeing what the best options are, etc. over the course of the whole season. Any decisions made (or not made) won’t only be in the next three days per se. For the longest time, it seemed all but certain that Cozens would be on the move, whereas now it’s seeming more likely that he’ll stay put. If Razzy is a guy that Adams has any interest in, he could pull the trigger on a deal now (especially with one more year left at a reasonable hit) rather than let another team slide in ahead of him. As far as it being a vote of “no-confidence”, Raz hasn’t been very good this year overall imho. Part of my concern is that the longer we wait to move him, the further his stock goes down. But you’re probably right in that any team most likely to deal for him now will be one that’s already contending.

Go back through history. When was the last time a team that was bottom 5 in the league going into the trade deadline moved their 1st round pick of that year for anyone? Hell even bottom 10? DeBrincat was traded at the draft and that's the closest there's been, or maybe Chychrun but Ottawa was 11th last when they acquired him and the pick was top 10 protected. With where the Sabres currently sit in the standings they won't move that pick until they know exactly where they are drafting and considering how bad they were this year they would not want to give up an unprotected 2026 pick either.

As for Cozens, he was never officially made available at all. Teams were just calling Buffalo about him, nothing has changed on whether he will get moved or not. I doubt Buffalo will consider moving him until post draft anyways depending on who they pick. If they end up with a stud like Hagens or Misa they can absolutely consider moving Cozens for help elsewhere in the lineup.

Are you watching games or just looking at stats? Ras, has been very solid this season, he is just a victim of the whole teams scoring woes. He's also played by far the most minutes against elite competition this year with 350 minutes, Bahl is the 2nd most with 313, and Weegar is 3rd with 281. Teams have a plethora of scouts that attend games and have access to loads of footage. They would see that Ras has struggled due to circumstance more than anything.

 

[Lunatik]

I don't even know why y'all are debating. If Buffalo trades their 2025 first, it will 100% have protections.

 

[Darth Vladar]

I wonder what, if anything, it would take for Conny to pry 24 year old, 6’5”, 210 lb second-year LHD and pending RFA Mason Lohrei (4 goals and 28 points in 57 games) out of Boston? For all the Bruins players that are apparently available, he’s the only one their entire roster I’d have any interest in the Flames acquiring.