Rebuilding from the Ashes

CALGARY FLAMES

2012-13 record: 19-25-4 (42 points)
Missed the playoffs
Captain: TBA

In a season where just about everything that could go wrong did, the Flames finally swallowed their pride and decided to enter a rebuilding mode.  The trade deadline saw the team's all-time leading scorer Jarome Iginla and highest paid defenseman Jay Bouwmeester leave for greener pastures, and this off-season is likely the last time anyone will see Miikka Kiprusoff in an NHL game, as he is expected to walk away.  The trades of Iginla and Bouwmeester free up some money for future considerations, but the Flames are expected to focus on rebuilding a farm system that has been in dire need for years.  Mike Cammalleri, Curtis Glencross, Jiri Hudler, Mark Giordano, and Dennis Wideman are all expected to take on more of a leadership role, now that they are the veterans on the team.  Meanwhile, the young players such as Sven Baertschi, T.J. Brodie, and Mikael Backlund are expected to take a major step forward, and Karri Ramo is the clubhouse leader to be the starting goaltender for the Flames.  Very little of this sounds exciting, but thanks to three first round picks in this past June's draft and some prospects (lower-end, but still prospects, nonetheless), the Flames are at least taking that first step forward in rebuilding for the future instead of trying to win now.

Prospects:  In trades the past few months, the Flames have picked up prospects that have a chance to contribute this season.  They include Marc Cundari (acquired in the Jay Bouwmeester deal), Corban Knight (traded from Florida in June), and Ben Hanowski (acquired in the Jarome Iginla trade).  Also with a chance to join the Flames is Sean Monahan, the first of three picks in the NHL Draft by the Flames in the first round.  Center remains a sore issue, and Monahan could help there immediately.  The blue line is also holding auditions for one or two spots, so don't be surprised if either (or both) Cundari and Tyler Wotherspoon make the opening night roster.

Prediction: 7th in the Pacific Division

Rebuilding is never going to be without its pains, and Calgary will be feeling those many nights this season.  They never had a real chance with their past model of spending to the cap for players that don't pan out, but now the Flames are finally offering hope for a better future to the fans.  It's just going to take a few years.