CALGARY FLAMES
Record: 23-25-3, 49 points; 6th in Pacific Division, 6th in Western Conference Wild Card
Unrestricted free agents: David Jones, RW; Jiri Hudler, RW; Kris Russell, D; Jakub Nakladal, D; Jonas Hiller, G; Karri Ramo, G
Restricted free agents: Sean Monahan, C; Markus Granlund, C; Johnny Gaudreau, LW; Joe Colborne, RW; Josh Jooris, RW; Joni Ortio, G
Projected 2016 draft picks: 7 (1 first)
Projected 2017 draft picks: 7 (1 first)
Needs: Forward depth
Surpluses: Defensive depth
Players Potentially in Play: Hudler, Jones, Russell, Ramo
Likely status: Seller
Skinny: The Flames have struggled under expectations that didn't exist a season ago when they qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2009 and advanced to the Western Conference Second Round for the first time since 2004. Still, Calgary is in a rebuilding phase with its roster with its core pieces at forward, Sean Monahan, Johnny Gaudreau and Sam Bennett, all under the age of 23. The Flames are in tight if they hope to replicate success from 2014-15. Calgary would need to make up eight points to leapfrog three Pacific opponents to earn one of three guaranteed playoffs spots in the division, and make up nine points and jump over four teams in order to qualify for the second of two wild cards. With that in mind, general manager Brad Treliving is more likely to mimic his own example last season, when he traded pending unrestricted free agent forward Curtis Glencross for two draft picks to help continue a rebuild that will enter into its fourth year next October. The Flames' prospect pool boasts plenty of young talent, both in the junior ranks and in Stockton of the American Hockey League, which could allow Treliving additional time up to the Feb. 29 deadline date to completely decide whether he's looking to sell off unrestricted free agents for future assets or use his pool of prospects to help boost the chances of a second consecutive appearance in the playoffs.
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