Flames own the 1st over pick in the 2018 Draft!
2018-05-24First off the Calgary Flames organization would like to congratulate the Stockton Heat for the gallant effort they put on to get back into their playoff series against the San Jose Barracuda’s. GM Kyle Phillips built a deep team but the Heat should be happy with the results. Pushing the Barracuda’s to double overtime in game 3 is not an easy task. We wish the Barracuda’s the best of luck for the rest of the playoffs. The future looks bright for the Heat which will can only help the Flames future.
This past season seen has seen many challenges with the Flames. Free Agency wasn’t the best for GM Stephen, but even before the season even started GM Stephen was rocked by the news that he needed to go under the knife for a double heart bypass surgery. Something that wasn’t expected at the young age of 44. A procedure that he is still recovering from. Prior to the news being received in late August 2017 GM Stephen was starting the process of rebuilding the roster from the old regime.
In his short time as the GM of the Flames, GM Stephen has improved the future with plenty of young additions through trades and his first EHE Draft in 2017.
The Flames have a good balance of skill, size, and speed with a strength of players who can play down the middle, a solid top 6 defencemen depth, while the future in net looks as bright as it has ever been.
Early indications are that Cale Makar could potentially be the team’s future franchise defenceman. Talking close to those who have seen and aided in his growth and are still in contact with Makar, he will be everything as advertised. You just need to look to the WJC were in limited playing time he proved he can play with 8 points in 7 games. His 21 points in 34 games at UMass this past season is a great starting point and the organization believes he will only build on those numbers in his second season
Up front there are players like Elias Petterson, Logan Brown, Owen Tippett, Cody Glass and Drake Batherson among the others who if they develop according to plan will have very strong and productive careers.
As we all know goalies are hard ones to predict and in net it’s anybody’s opportunity to seize the number 1 status down the road.
Moving forward the Flames hold the 1st overall pick in the 2018 EHE Lottery Draft. Who will the Flames pick is still an unknown but it’s very safe to say that this player will make an impact on the organization for years to come.
GM Stephen didn’t say it publicly but winning the 1st overall was a great prize to win considering the past year he and the team has endured.
Now to all Flames Fans, remember this quote:
“The steps you take don’t need to be big, they just need to take you in the right direction.” We are taking the steps necessary to move this organization forward for years to come".