Flames To Shift Into "Sell Mode" Very Soon

This season has been very similar to last season for the Calgary Flames. This team is not good enough to make the playoffs and compete for the Stanley Cup and they are not bad enough to fully rebuild and get a top pick. That may be starting to change this season as they have a number of key UFAs at the end of this season. As the team sits outside of a playoff spot, it is looking like they will sell what they can and get the best returns for all of the players.

This already started with Nikita Zadorov earlier this season, but the team still has to deal with Elias Lindholm, Chris Tanev, Noah Hanifin, and Oliver Kylington. David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period stated that at some point soon, maybe sooner than later, the Flames will begin to shift into sell mode. Who goes first is anybody's guess right now because of the different needs around the NHL with different teams and the other players available around the league as well.

If the Flames want to move Lindholm, Hanifin, and Tanev, they are looking at an amazing return with all combined. I don't expect all to go to the same team, so with the great cap hits of each and each player being the top or right near the top of the targets at their positions, the Flames are looking at two first round picks, a solid prospect, and around a second round pick at the very least. With the strong prospects they already have, this could turn out to be a really good rebuild, but of course they have to draft right and not force the issue. There's no sense in trying to quickly retool around Jonathan Huberdeau and Nazem Kadri while they are on the decline. Those additions were meant to help a team that should've been able to be in contention for a Stanley Cup last season and this season. It will be an interesting time for the Flames shortly and it can make or break their next 5+ years.

Photo credit: © Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports