This team needs to pick a direction, and there’s only one right answer.

[Iggys Dome]

This is just my opinion, but it’s important for this franchise to decide whether or not they want to make the playoffs or finish in the bottom 10. I do not want to give Montreal our first round pick this year, and I doubt the organization or anyone else here does either. I think this is a critical point in our organizational path for the next 10 years.

The Flames are currently 5 points out of the bottom 10. The difference between 13th and 26th is only 7 points, it’s easier than ever to be in the “mushy middle”. That’s why I think Conroy has to make some painful decisions in the next month or two.

It looks like the battle for the 2nd WC spot will be between Vancouver, Calgary, Utah and St.Louis.

I like our chances if Vancouver continues to implode, but the way this team is I don’t see the Flames having the consistency to win out for a playoff spot in the end. It essentially relies on Wolf going god mode and being borderline Vézina level. And buying at the deadline makes no sense to me as even if we do make the playoffs, I don’t wanna get steamrolled by Vegas or whoever comes out of the central.

I understand wanting to foster a culture of winning and not ending up being Buffalo 2.0, I really do, but I also do not see the point in finishing 18th and losing out on a top 10 draft pick during this stage of the rebuild (or whatever you wanna call it). I believe a bunch of centers are projected to go in the top 10, which is a position of organizational need.

I think we need to trade 2 of Andersson, Coleman and Kadri before the deadline. Ideally Andersson and Coleman as they will likely garner the largest return.

What does the rest of HF Flames think? Am I out to lunch here or what? I think this deserves its own thread as the discussion could be good for this forum.

Click to read more...

 

[Siignal]

I've been with you since the start of the season. We shouldn't throw away future upside by wanting immediate gratification. It's a long-term game and we can't rely on a free agent market in a particular year to land a franchise center.

 

[joescores]

This is just my opinion, but it’s important for this franchise to decide whether or not they want to make the playoffs or finish in the bottom 10. I do not want to give Montreal our first round pick this year, and I doubt the organization or anyone else here does either. I think this is a critical point in our organizational path for the next 10 years.

The Flames are currently 5 points out of the bottom 10. The difference between 13th and 26th is only 7 points, it’s easier than ever to be in the “mushy middle”. That’s why I think Conroy has to make some painful decisions in the next month or two.

It looks like the battle for the 2nd WC spot will be between Vancouver, Calgary, Utah and St.Louis.

I like our chances if Vancouver continues to implode, but the way this team is I don’t see the Flames having the consistency to win out for a playoff spot in the end. It essentially relies on Wolf going god mode and being borderline Vézina level. And buying at the deadline makes no sense to me as even if we do make the playoffs, I don’t wanna get steamrolled by Vegas or whoever comes out of the central.

I understand wanting to foster a culture of winning and not ending up being Buffalo 2.0, I really do, but I also do not see the point in finishing 18th and losing out on a top 10 draft pick during this stage of the rebuild (or whatever you wanna call it). I believe a bunch of centers are projected to go in the top 10, which is a position of organizational need.

I think we need to trade 2 of Andersson, Coleman and Kadri before the deadline. Ideally Andersson and Coleman as they will likely garner the largest return.

What does the rest of HF Flames think? Am I out to lunch here or what? I think this deserves its own thread as the discussion could be good for this forum.

Agreed, as mentioned in another thread.
Add Kuzmenko, Vladar and Barrie to that.

* drop Pospi to 4th line and play Kuzie with Huberdeau & Kadri till TDL or till he gets hot.
* give Vladar easier games and boost his stats/value
* play Barrie and boost his value

Ship all 5 of them away and start again.

 

[FLAMESFAN]

This is just my opinion, but it’s important for this franchise to decide whether or not they want to make the playoffs or finish in the bottom 10. I do not want to give Montreal our first round pick this year, and I doubt the organization or anyone else here does either. I think this is a critical point in our organizational path for the next 10 years.

The Flames are currently 5 points out of the bottom 10. The difference between 13th and 26th is only 7 points, it’s easier than ever to be in the “mushy middle”. That’s why I think Conroy has to make some painful decisions in the next month or two.

It looks like the battle for the 2nd WC spot will be between Vancouver, Calgary, Utah and St.Louis.

I like our chances if Vancouver continues to implode, but the way this team is I don’t see the Flames having the consistency to win out for a playoff spot in the end. It essentially relies on Wolf going god mode and being borderline Vézina level. And buying at the deadline makes no sense to me as even if we do make the playoffs, I don’t wanna get steamrolled by Vegas or whoever comes out of the central.

I understand wanting to foster a culture of winning and not ending up being Buffalo 2.0, I really do, but I also do not see the point in finishing 18th and losing out on a top 10 draft pick during this stage of the rebuild (or whatever you wanna call it). I believe a bunch of centers are projected to go in the top 10, which is a position of organizational need.

I think we need to trade 2 of Andersson, Coleman and Kadri before the deadline. Ideally Andersson and Coleman as they will likely garner the largest return.

What does the rest of HF Flames think? Am I out to lunch here or what? I think this deserves its own thread as the discussion could be good for this forum.

It's not just your opinion. Anyone with the slightest of vision could see that this was the perfect year to suck ass.
I hate that we lose when we need to win, and we win when we need to lose.
That Monahan trade will go down as the worst in franchise history. Worse than Brett Hull.

 

[viper0220]

This is just my opinion, but it’s important for this franchise to decide whether or not they want to make the playoffs or finish in the bottom 10. I do not want to give Montreal our first round pick this year, and I doubt the organization or anyone else here does either. I think this is a critical point in our organizational path for the next 10 years.

The Flames are currently 5 points out of the bottom 10. The difference between 13th and 26th is only 7 points, it’s easier than ever to be in the “mushy middle”. That’s why I think Conroy has to make some painful decisions in the next month or two.

It looks like the battle for the 2nd WC spot will be between Vancouver, Calgary, Utah and St.Louis.

I like our chances if Vancouver continues to implode, but the way this team is I don’t see the Flames having the consistency to win out for a playoff spot in the end. It essentially relies on Wolf going god mode and being borderline Vézina level. And buying at the deadline makes no sense to me as even if we do make the playoffs, I don’t wanna get steamrolled by Vegas or whoever comes out of the central.

I understand wanting to foster a culture of winning and not ending up being Buffalo 2.0, I really do, but I also do not see the point in finishing 18th and losing out on a top 10 draft pick during this stage of the rebuild (or whatever you wanna call it). I believe a bunch of centers are projected to go in the top 10, which is a position of organizational need.

I think we need to trade 2 of Andersson, Coleman and Kadri before the deadline. Ideally Andersson and Coleman as they will likely garner the largest return.

What does the rest of HF Flames think? Am I out to lunch here or what? I think this deserves its own thread as the discussion could be good for this forum.

I totally agree with this Iggys Dome and I agree with what Siignal and joescores have to say.

I don't think anyone in the organization wants to give a good pick to Montreal, there is no point in spinning our wheels and staying where we are. I feel like when Vancouver works out their locker room issues(I think there are locker room issues there and the Canucks may try to fix that in the season) and/or when their injured players come back, they will go on a bit of a winning streak.

If we are in the same situation at the end of January(what I mean by this is, if we are not 100% securely in a playoff spot), we should start selling.

January is the easiest schedule, after that it gets hard. Andersson, Kadri, Backlund, Coleman, Kuzmenko, Vladar and Barrie should be all on the chopping block if by end of January we are not 100% securely not in a playoff spot.

 

[crackdown44]

The team definitely needs top end talent and you have to be kind of lucky to find that in the mid first round where they generally draft

It’s tough to complain because I much prefer the flames situation to say Buffalo/anaheim etc the teams that did fully sellout and are still garbage year after year

They’ve shown an excellent capability to find the support players you need in the late first/mid rounds but boy a Hagens or a Mckenna would sure be nice just once

Though we’ve seen this song and dance too many times to know that ownership is happy as long as they’re in the race and have a shot at some playoff gate receipts

At least they’re fun to watch

 

[Mobiandi]

Zary, Coronato, and especially Wolf kept this team afloat in October and November and recently Huberdeau/Kadri have played well too.

The supporting cast and depth players have been tank-worthy. Absolutely terrible.

It’s tricky because you can’t tell young players to stop playing well. And what happens when your best paid players have finally started to put together some good stretches together too?

I’m all for a Kadri trade.

 

[herashak]

If they make the playoffs it’s because Wolf is a legit #1 and Zary or Coronato are top 6 players.

I wouldn’t trade Andersson unless he asks to be shopped since I would try to re-sign him.

 

[DomBarr]

If they make the playoffs it’s because Wolf is a legit #1 and Zary or Coronato are top 6 players.

I wouldn’t trade Andersson unless he asks to be shopped since I wouldn’t try to re-sign him.

Your thoughts on Andersson is a little confusing. If you do not support resigning him then why wouldn’t you trade him to the first team that meets your price?

That said this years Flames team is designed to do 1 thing and that is to convince Andersson to extend which requires them to appear to try and compete for the playoffs.

 

[MakeCgyGreatAgain]

This is the frustrating part about being a Flames fan. I’ve been a fan since 1996 and they have almost always been in the same position they are in now. They are not good enough to make the playoffs or compete for a cup. But they are not bad enough to get an elite player in the draft. Flames have never picked in the top 3 and have never won a draft lottery. Your saying now is the time to pick a direction, but unfortunately this has been the same position as the past. I don’t see anything changing. They will end up giving Montreal pick 12-16 this year because of the pride of ownership. As much as I’d like them to trade Kadri and Andy or Weegs and allow us to fall into the top 10, I don’t see it happening. Those 5 wins to start the season will cost us our pick.

 

[herashak]

Your thoughts on Andersson is a little confusing. If you do not support resigning him then why wouldn’t you trade him to the first team that meets your price?

That said this years Flames team is designed to do 1 thing and that is to convince Andersson to extend which requires them to appear to try and compete for the playoffs.

Meant to say I would try to resign him, not sure if that was autocorrect. This team needs to keep home grown core players

 

[viper0220]

This is the frustrating part about being a Flames fan. I’ve been a fan since 1996 and they have almost always been in the same position they are in now. They are not good enough to make the playoffs or compete for a cup. But they are not bad enough to get an elite player in the draft. Flames have never picked in the top 3 and have never won a draft lottery. Your saying now is the time to pick a direction, but unfortunately this has been the same position as the past. I don’t see anything changing. They will end up giving Montreal pick 12-16 this year because of the pride of ownership. As much as I’d like them to trade Kadri and Andy or Weegs and allow us to fall into the top 10, I don’t see it happening. Those 5 wins to start the season will cost us our pick.

I know what you mean MakeCgyGreatAgain, I have been a fan since 2001, the only high point since being a fan is the 2004 run, outside of that, there has been nothing to get excited about. This organization has been the poster child for mediocrity and I am afraid that is going to continue.

You statement is pretty bang on and I fear that, this is what is going to happen.

 

[Some Other Flame]

The funny but sad thing is, Conroy tried. He traded away their starting goaltender and top line center as well as their top pairing defenseman plus a middle six winger and bottom four defenseman for almost entirely futures without signing actual replacements in free agency. Literally, the only current NHL'ers he got in return for all of Markstrom, Hanifin, Lindholm, Zadorov, & Mangiapane is Bahl and Miromanov - two inconsistent bottom four defencemen.

Regardless was what was said for public consumption, this roster was built to finish in the bottom five. The problem and the reason they're not is twofold; it's incredibly hard to out suck the permanent tankers (e.g. the Canadians, Sabres, Ducks, Sharks, Hawks, etc.). Secondly, as usual, everyone including the Flames organization and its' own fans underestimated the quality of their own prospects. Wolf, Zary, and Coronato are big reasons why the Flames are doing better expected.

But this is a terrible position to be in because without significant and bold moves, the Flames are essentially going to be stuck in the mushy middle forever. What's going to happen is that the expected improvement from the young core pieces is going to cancel out the expected decline of the older veteran core meaning the team just stays where they are.

In other words, Conroy and the Flames need to do the impossible and be proactive for once. Either go out and make the seemingly impossible trades that can land them an age appropriate franchise center and defenceman without giving up future core pieces like Zary or Wolf. Or trading Andersson, Coleman, and Kadri by preferably the deadline to ensure the Flames actually finish in the bottom 8 or thereabouts.

 

[JPeeper]

It's been mentioned several times, but the team has too much talent to truly suck. We can't score, but we also don't bleed goals. The Flames defense is no where near as bad as last years even without Hanifin and Tanev. The PK is really the only thing on this team that truly sucks. The PP has been hot and cold, currently the past couple weeks its cold, but prior to that it was firing on all cylinders.

I don't know how you trade Kadri, Coleman and Ras though and don't massively piss off Weegar, Huberdeau (and really the entire team).

Team should be playing Vladar against the weak teams, ie. Chicago, San Jose, the ones where if we play Wolf it's a guaranteed win.

It's no secret I have been on team tank, I want to see the team win the Stanley Cup, not get rinsed in the first round by Vegas or Winnipeg. That does nothing because it's not like we're going to get better and in 2026 we now lose in the 2nd round, that happens with young teams not aging teams.

 

[Body Checker]

I know what you mean MakeCgyGreatAgain, I have been a fan since 2001, the only high point since being a fan is the 2004 run, outside of that, there has been nothing to get excited about. This organization has been the poster child for mediocrity and I am afraid that is going to continue.

You statement is pretty bang on and I fear that, this is what is going to happen.

We were a true contender a few seasons ago when Gaudreau,Tkachuk, Lindholm lit it up and we added Toffoli reuniting him with a two time Stanley Cup winning coach. Just like Gretzky killed a similar elite team in ‘88 McDavid shattered that promise also.

 

[crackdown44]

It's been mentioned several times, but the team has too much talent to truly suck. We can't score, but we also don't bleed goals. The Flames defense is no where near as bad as last years even without Hanifin and Tanev. The PK is really the only thing on this team that truly sucks. The PP has been hot and cold, currently the past couple weeks its cold, but prior to that it was firing on all cylinders.

I don't know how you trade Kadri, Coleman and Ras though and don't massively piss off Weegar, Huberdeau (and really the entire team).

Team should be playing Vladar against the weak teams, ie. Chicago, San Jose, the ones where if we play Wolf it's a guaranteed win.

It's no secret I have been on team tank, I want to see the team win the Stanley Cup, not get rinsed in the first round by Vegas or Winnipeg. That does nothing because it's not like we're going to get better and in 2026 we now lose in the 2nd round, that happens with young teams not aging teams.

This is a great post except Winnipeg are playoff chokers and we’d beat them

 

[Lunatik]

I really don't understand the point of this thread...

Conroy is clearly on a rebuilding path with this team, literally every move he has made over the past year has pointed that direction....

So you're pissy the players are overachieving?

 

[Anglesmith]

I know what you mean MakeCgyGreatAgain, I have been a fan since 2001, the only high point since being a fan is the 2004 run, outside of that, there has been nothing to get excited about. This organization has been the poster child for mediocrity and I am afraid that is going to continue.

You statement is pretty bang on and I fear that, this is what is going to happen.

I don't understand how, as a Flames fan, you would go through the 2015 and 2022 years without excitement.

Hell, even the post-lockout years where we dominated the division but couldn't find it in the playoffs were fun with watching Iggy.

I get wanting to feel like you're a true favourite (which the Flames were in 2022 by any measure) for an extended window of time, but that's kind of rare if you glance around the league.

Building a dynasty team is like making a viral video. Obviously there are ways to go about making a video that are objectively good or bad, but there isn't a series of steps that will definitely work.

 

[viper0220]

I don't understand how, as a Flames fan, you would go through the 2015 and 2022 years without excitement.

Hell, even the post-lockout years where we dominated the division but couldn't find it in the playoffs were fun with watching Iggy.

I get wanting to feel like you're a true favourite (which the Flames were in 2022 by any measure) for an extended window of time, but that's kind of rare if you glance around the league.

Building a dynasty team is like making a viral video. Obviously there are ways to go about making a video that are objectively good or bad, but there isn't a series of steps that will definitely work.

I would be excited but when they could not win anything, it just drained the energy. I was not asking for a dynasty but one cup would have been nice.

 

[Iggys Dome]

I really don't understand the point of this thread...

Conroy is clearly on a rebuilding path with this team, literally every move he has made over the past year has pointed that direction....

So you're pissy the players are overachieving?

I'm thrilled to see Zary, Coronato, and Wolf's progression. Even Bahl has looked great as a younger dman.

I want a top 10 pick this year. I think we have two first rounders (NJ and FLA) if things continue this way, correct?

I don't understand how, as a Flames fan, you would go through the 2015 and 2022 years without excitement.

Hell, even the post-lockout years where we dominated the division but couldn't find it in the playoffs were fun with watching Iggy.

I get wanting to feel like you're a true favourite (which the Flames were in 2022 by any measure) for an extended window of time, but that's kind of rare if you glance around the league.

Building a dynasty team is like making a viral video. Obviously there are ways to go about making a video that are objectively good or bad, but there isn't a series of steps that will definitely work.

IDK, I found the post lock-out Iggy years super frustrating as a fan. 06 was a division champ that fell in the first round. Okay, whatever, that happens.

07 we barely made the playoffs as the 8th seed and got ass-blasted by Detroit, 08 finished 7th in the conference and somehow pushed the Sharks to 7 games. 09 we ran into the pre-dynasty Blackhawks and got ousted in 6.

Insert 5 years of mediocrity and maybe one or two years of being a bottom 5 team in the NHL. Then Johnny Gaudreau came to town.

Even the 15-22 Flames, there was a lot of frustration as a fan. 15 was a miracle year, wouldn't trade that for anything (except maybe McDavid). 16, 17 and 18 were awful years to be a fan, Gulutzan was an awful HC who had no idea what he was doing. The 10 game win streak in 17 was nice and earned us a first round appearance against Anaheim who pushed our shit in lol. The only good thing to come out of those years was the rise of Matthew Tkachuk.

The 18-19 year was an awesome year to be a fan, The purple gato line, Johnny finally breaking out and becoming a top 5 winger, it was great. But the Avalanche series showed that Monahan wasn't a #1C that you win with.

20 & 21 were again awful years, Treliving got this idea that Geoff Ward was somehow the guy to run the team and we missed the playoffs in an extremely easy Canadian division in 21.

22 was again, great to be a fan. Sutter got the team to click and I legit think this team was a contender, and would have been for a few more years had Johnny and Chucky stayed. Unfortunately things didn't work out that way and here we are.

I just want to cheer for a team that makes consistent deep runs for a few years, that's all I ask for as a fan. I know it's getting harder to do so in a 32 team league, but I think the standard for this organization needs to be set way, way higher.

 

[Anglesmith]

I'm thrilled to see Zary, Coronato, and Wolf's progression. Even Bahl has looked great as a younger dman.

I want a top 10 pick this year. I think we have two first rounders (NJ and FLA) if things continue this way, correct?




IDK, I found the post lock-out Iggy years super frustrating as a fan. 06 was a division champ that fell in the first round. Okay, whatever, that happens.

07 we barely made the playoffs as the 8th seed and got ass-blasted by Detroit, 08 finished 7th in the conference and somehow pushed the Sharks to 7 games. 09 we ran into the pre-dynasty Blackhawks and got ousted in 6.

Insert 5 years of mediocrity and maybe one or two years of being a bottom 5 team in the NHL. Then Johnny Gaudreau came to town.

Even the 15-22 Flames, there was a lot of frustration as a fan. 15 was a miracle year, wouldn't trade that for anything (except maybe McDavid). 16, 17 and 18 were awful years to be a fan, Gulutzan was an awful HC who had no idea what he was doing. The 10 game win streak in 17 was nice and earned us a first round appearance against Anaheim who pushed our shit in lol. The only good thing to come out of those years was the rise of Matthew Tkachuk.

The 18-19 year was an awesome year to be a fan, The purple gato line, Johnny finally breaking out and becoming a top 5 winger, it was great. But the Avalanche series showed that Monahan wasn't a #1C that you win with.

20 & 21 were again awful years, Treliving got this idea that Geoff Ward was somehow the guy to run the team and we missed the playoffs in an extremely easy Canadian division in 21.

22 was again, great to be a fan. Sutter got the team to click and I legit think this team was a contender, and would have been for a few more years had Johnny and Chucky stayed. Unfortunately things didn't work out that way and here we are.

I just want to cheer for a team that makes consistent deep runs for a few years, that's all I ask for as a fan. I know it's getting harder to do so in a 32 team league, but I think the standard for this organization needs to be set way, way higher.

Definitely it's been up and down, which I think is the norm. What I jumped in off of was a claim that there hasn't been anything to be excited about with the exception of 2004 since 2001. As you have also pointed out, that really isn't the case.

Of course it's the goal to be the Stanley Cup champion. Since 2001, when viper started being a fan, 14 different teams have acheived that, out of now 32 teams. As fans not seeing their team win in that stretch, we are in the majority of the league.

The team has a very clear direction at the moment from management, and there is absolutely no way to know if a different direction would be better or worse.

 

[FLAMESFAN]

I don't understand how, as a Flames fan, you would go through the 2015 and 2022 years without excitement.

Hell, even the post-lockout years where we dominated the division but couldn't find it in the playoffs were fun with watching Iggy.

I get wanting to feel like you're a true favourite (which the Flames were in 2022 by any measure) for an extended window of time, but that's kind of rare if you glance around the league.

Building a dynasty team is like making a viral video. Obviously there are ways to go about making a video that are objectively good or bad, but there isn't a series of steps that will definitely work.

How did we get to that place in 2022? By drafting Tkachuk/Bennett/Monny early and hitting on Johnny.
I think the main point in this thread is that it is disappointing that we're likely going to finish around 13th and have to hand over a good pick, leaving us with 2 late 1st rnders that will likely turn into nothing.
It's great that our young players have stepped up and helped, but it would be even better if we could draft another top 10 and continue to bolster that lineup with real talent. Maybe then we'll have another shot of a division like in 2022.

 

[Volica]

I really don't mind if they continue to compete for a spot for the playoffs, and make it.
I'd really hate to miss it as the 17th best team in the league, because it's a double whammy of missing the playoffs and not having a pick.

At the end of the day, it's been nice seeing the young guys really be important parts to this team. Wolf, Zary, Coronato and recent Pelletier have been really tremendous positive impacts on this team. That along with the high paid guys playing like high paid guys, this team is no where as bad as the teams that are consistently bottoming out time and time again.

To me, similar to this post (but different in a way), it's important Calgary figures out what it's really doing.
If the mandate is going to be compete until the wheels fall off and hopefully we get some draft luck in the process... then us fans are going to be in it for a very long haul; and if Wolf is as good as he projects being, then we're never going to be bad-bad barring a long term injury that keeps him out a year.

Really think they just can't miss out anymore. They won't be drafting highly this year, we can forget about the 1-5 spot, I think there's already starting to be some separation of the real bads to the middling guys. It's important they keep accumulating young talent when it becomes available. No more sidelines/bridesmaid stuff.

They won't be able to trade the high ticket guys anytime soon.
They won't be drafting at the start of the draft.

They need to really nail draft picks, they need to really take advantage of trades and waivers, and they need to let guys develop properly.

 

[Flames Fanatic]

I think Kadri has done everything in his power to make himself a tradeable piece again. I am hoping Craig can find a taker and I think that really deflates the team if he's moved.

Or maybe Andersson. I think either of those two going finally pulls the plug on this tub a bit more.

 

[Anglesmith]

How did we get to that place in 2022? By drafting Tkachuk/Bennett/Monny early and hitting on Johnny.
I think the main point in this thread is that it is disappointing that we're likely going to finish around 13th and have to hand over a good pick, leaving us with 2 late 1st rnders that will likely turn into nothing.
It's great that our young players have stepped up and helped, but it would be even better if we could draft another top 10 and continue to bolster that lineup with real talent. Maybe then we'll have another shot of a division like in 2022.

Actually no. Of those three only Tkachuk was a part of the success from 6th overall. Gaudreau hit from the fourth round. We traded for/signed the other core pieces or drafted them in later spots like we can ever year.

Not sure what point you're trying to make in pretending that Monahan and Bennett were big reasons for the success of 2022.

I really don't mind if they continue to compete for a spot for the playoffs, and make it.
I'd really hate to miss it as the 17th best team in the league, because it's a double whammy of missing the playoffs and not having a pick.

At the end of the day, it's been nice seeing the young guys really be important parts to this team. Wolf, Zary, Coronato and recent Pelletier have been really tremendous positive impacts on this team. That along with the high paid guys playing like high paid guys, this team is no where as bad as the teams that are consistently bottoming out time and time again.

To me, similar to this post (but different in a way), it's important Calgary figures out what it's really doing.
If the mandate is going to be compete until the wheels fall off and hopefully we get some draft luck in the process... then us fans are going to be in it for a very long haul; and if Wolf is as good as he projects being, then we're never going to be bad-bad barring a long term injury that keeps him out a year.

Really think they just can't miss out anymore. They won't be drafting highly this year, we can forget about the 1-5 spot, I think there's already starting to be some separation of the real bads to the middling guys. It's important they keep accumulating young talent when it becomes available. No more sidelines/bridesmaid stuff.

They won't be able to trade the high ticket guys anytime soon.
They won't be drafting at the start of the draft.

They need to really nail draft picks, they need to really take advantage of trades and waivers, and they need to let guys develop properly.

I don't think there's any reason to believe that the Flames' mandate is just about competing. All of the moves over Conroy's tenure have pointed to prudent asset management and a priority being placed on future assets.

The direction the Flames are taking currently is that they are willing to sacrifice on the current roster through moves in order to make clear gains in future assets. They are stockpiling and have been since early last season, and many trades have objectively reduced the talent on the team. So given that there is no thought that the Flames are only trying to compete.

What they aren't willing to do is to make the roster worse in order to elevate their draft pick. Likely for two reasons: first, it's money out of the owner's pocket, and second there is a risk that the team never recovers from that kind of depletion of talent. There is simply no evidence that suggests that the Flames can expect to have better outcomes by becoming a last place team intentionally. It happens, but if you balance all evidence the expectation is not overly positive (especially financially).