So here's the question...Is this run at a playoff spot this season a BAD thing for the future of the Flames?

Consider this..  Flames don't have a 2nd or 3rd round pick in the upcoming draft.  At present this team has ...well to be blunt NOTHING in the Farm system. 

Regher's value will NEVER be higher than it was on Feb 28.  With Phillips signing long term with Sens, Kaberle already dealt...no real front line d-men available. So Feaster most likely could've got a late 1st round and maybe a prospect/conditional pick in 2012 for him.  Not to mention clearing that salary..(see below).  Not to mention I'm sure they could've gotten something for Tanquay, Morrison etc AND no doubt Feaster heard offers for Iggy & Kipper... 

This team is still the 2nd oldest in the NHL and is really tight to the cap at present...The following players are UFA at the end of the 2011 season:  Tanquay, Glencross, Morrison, Babchuk and Staios.  At best the Flames 'might' be able to sign 1 or 2...MAYBE.  Tanquay and Glencross aren't going to be cheap so Clearing  Regher's salary could have made getting both back next season possible.  Likely Tanquay and Morrison due to their age will be the cheapest..but I think it's safe to say Glencross is gone UNLESS the Flames can clear salary off their books.  

That seems unlikely really, the Kotlik Chain is still around their neck and they have Stajan, Hagman & Bouweister signed for more than what they seem to be worth.  Hard to imagine finding a sucker to take any these guys..even for a bag of pucks.

Also their 2 mains stars Iggy & Kipper aren't getting any younger.  Again their are NO prospects in the system that would take their place in the future.  Flames have taken 2 goalies with their 1st round picks over the past 5-6 years BUT neither of these draft picks has played a single NHL game and unlikely to do so in the future.

So while Feaster had to stand pat and let this team makes it run.  It could very well be something that comes back to bite this organization in the ..... in a couple of seasons...

I've been thinking the exact same thing.  However, consider this, somehow these old farts pull off some kind of minor miracle and delay  the inevitable.  Maybe the crash will be so extreme next year that they forego the whole mediocre 20th/21st place thing, and supplant Edmonton right at the bottom, right away.  Then pick up 5 years of blue chip prospects.  I can do 5 years, can you?

But that's EXACTLY what this team has been doing after that run for cup they made a few years ago.  Hoping to barely make the post season AND then praying to go on a run again.  The line, just make the playoffs and sometimes anything can happen. Now it does occur BUT if you are looking to build a FRANCHISE (not just a team) that is healthy and competitive for a long time...that's NOT the way to do it. 

I'm not talking about doing this every year.  I would have rather seen them start the rebuild this year too.  But, since they have already done their big run for the playoffs thing now, obviously they aren't finishing last, nor anywhere close to it.  So go with the hand you've been dealt and hope for the best at this point.  They've been competing well the last two months against the best the league has to throw at them.  Is there a miracle this year in them?  I don't know.  They look more promising going into the playoffs this year than they have any year since the run to the finals. Should they have put themselves into this position?  Well, hindsight is 20/20 so ask me in June.  The reality is, they desperately need to crash next year and start the rebuild.  What would really suck is if they cool off as suddenly as they heated up and they slip back into that number 9 slot in the conference again.  Considering how much stronger the West is in picking up points this year, That would mean finishing 12th or 13th overall and out of the playoffs, while only picking up the 18th overall draft pick.


 

Yep, now that they have past up the chance to maybe clear some salary and maybe pick up some picks/prospects...Missing the post season would be the ultimate in disasters!  Especially considering where they'd likely pick..   Actually if they DON'T win the first round, it could be considered a failure.  Again because they past up the chance to start fixing the short sightness of Sutter for only 2 maybe 3 Playoff Games???

Though to be fair you can't blame it all on Sutter.  The fact is the market they are in 'demands' the team make the post-season.  When they don't...well the fan base gets a little 'unhappy' etc.  No doubt ownership and management are very aware of this and therefore all of the decisions and things they do are aimed at that goal. After all if your fans ain't happy....

 Nickhead, im really not into scrolling back and checking my bets ...how much am i gonna owe u? ill take you for your word..even though we have had our fights i have the utmost respect for you,you are a stand up guy..i couldnt say that for some guys on this site..give me a total buddy ...and ill whip out the credit card...i dont think i have any chance of winning ..let me know

i agree, they should have been sellers.  that being said, as holer said, they've been playing well the past couple months against everyone.  there may be a lot of ifs, and they may not be as good as the elite, but...

as for selling, the can still sell kipper and iginla in the offseason.  or even before next year's trade deadline.  and they should be worth about as much with another year less on their contract.  anyone else they could have sold wouldn't have gotten anything more than a second round pick, with the exception of maybe regher.  and we can't even get our first round picks to pan out.  what we really need is to trade for young players that are already starting to pan out.  either that or double our scouting department so we can draft better.  :>

True, the Flames drafting record isn't exactly very good.   Yea they can still make moves in the offseason but Regeher's value will NOT be as high as it was at this season's trade deadline.  There were several teams in the market for a front line d-man...Regeher would've the only real one available!!  In the off season you'll have UFAs and other teams making deals etc etc, so it's very unlikely you'll get as much for him. I suspect on Feb 28, Feaster could've pretty much 'named' his price and most likely got it....

Bringing Tanquay and Morrison back isn't a bad thing really, both have been valuable to the Flames this season.  The thing is, neither are part of the LONG term plans of this team..Glencross has proven he could be a part of that future. BUT he's a UFA and let's face it, his market value will place him out of what Calgary can afford (of course IF they clear salary..). So this leaves Calgary getting vets to fill out their roster AND hoping they are like Tanquay/Morrison. Also means the Flames will still be one of oldest rosters in the NHL and still be a middle of the road team who will fight just to see the post season...

Sounds like the same tune that they have been playing for the last 1/2 dozen seasons, no change in sight..

and reality sets in....

 Do the Flames have any heart? i was F-ing crushed at them losing to the Ducks! i was on the verge of a HUGE payday if the Flames hung on to win that one..now im just chasing my losses..i won big on the UFC 128   now  throwing more money on the Flames winning against LA  go Flamers.. show some gonads...time to nut up !!!

Hey randle I have no clue. Been real busy lately and not around. I can scroll back and check it out when I get a moment. I ain't worried about it

And flames dream of postseason is over. Made a huge mistake not being sellers at deadline in my opinion

Again I ask, who should be fired next...King?

The failure to act measured with the extremely boring play, lacking hitting and fighting, have led us to a decision to only renew our season tickets if we can sell a minimum of half the games

Effin hate this new pansy NHL. Hate the cheapshots but all these stupid opinions that boo boos should be removed has ruined my love for the game. They get danger pay and paid well. All out every shift to get my money