CONTENDER? PRETENDER
Flames’ miscalculated gamble in trading high picks ends with 2017-18 face-plant
WHEN GM BRAD
Treliving traded a firstround pick and two secondrounders for defenseman Travis Hamonic last summer, it was a sure sign the Flames were going for it. Yes, it was a steep price to pay, but the plan was Calgary would rise to become a Cup contender and those picks would be something like 28th, 59th and 60th overall. Instead, the Flames regressed, missed the playoffs and those picks soared in value. And now new coach Bill Peters will try to prove Calgary can become more than just a good team on paper. IMMEDIATE NEEDS: The last right-shooting top-six scoring threat on the right wing in Calgary was Jarome Iginla, and that was six years ago. The Flames haven’t been able to find a suitable replacement in free agency – or the draft – so the best recourse is to trade a defensemen for a productive winger this summer. LONG-TERM NEEDS: There are three potential replacements for 36-year-old goalie Mike Smith when he ages out, but there’s no certainty any will be more than backups. Also, another offensive pivot is a must. Mikael Backlund is more of a shutdown center and Mark Jankowski may max out as a third-liner. CAP SITUATION: With Matt Stajan’s $3.1-million deal expiring and the Flames likely to buy out Troy Brouwer this summer or next, there will be room to add a bona fide winger this off-season and sign Matthew Tkachuk to a $6-million-plus deal in 2019, provided Calgary trades one of their five bigticket blueliners. IN THE SYSTEM 2018-19: Rasmus Andersson had a breakout sophomore season in the AHL and will be an offenseinclined third-pair D-man. Late blooming college free agent Spencer Foo hand-picked Calgary because of its dearth of depth on the right wing. A middle six job is his to lose. DID YOU KNOW: Not long ago, the Flames had a mandate to become a rugged, blackand-blue team to compete in the physical Pacific. Yet, six of their top prospects are crafty sub-six-footers: Adam Fox, Dillon Dube, Andrew Mangiapane, Matthew Phillips, Morgan Klimchuk and Foo.