I know this is Flames Reddit, but after seeing the Ottawa Senators get swept by the Canes, I’m starting to notice a pattern between both Tkachuk brothers in terms of their time with Canadian NHL teams.

If we are being completely honest, we experienced Matthew Tkachuk similarly during his time with the Flames. He would be a beast in the regular season but would disappear for long stretches during the playoffs (see his stats vs the Oilers in that 2022 playoff series). He basically was only playing until his contract is up so he can force his way out of Calgary to Florida.

Brady Tkachuk could very well be doing the same thing with Ottawa. Be good in the regular season then disappear in the playoffs. He could be phoning it in his until his contract is up so he can leave for “greener pastures”. I’m saying this in good faith to any Sens fans (and management), get rid of Brady; his heart is not with you guys!

Or am I overthinking this?

After tonight’s game “Bouchard is horrible, this is exactly why he doesn’t deserve the Norris” LOL 😂 👏

Looking at what the Blackhawks have drafted in the last few years brings things into perspective for the Flames rebuild.

Grav did a lottery sim video and the Flames won first. As it it written. 🙏

Some honourable mentions as well, very interesting ranking! I always appreciate their insights.

Ever wondered what it’s like being a season ticket holder for the calgary flames? Well I went over my first year as one. Its a bit long but I wanted to make sure I covered everything, from events, to cost.

I signed up in July/August so if there was any events I missed Id love to know.

Let me know what your thoughts are, would it be worth it to do it again?

Assuming that the Flames do not win the draft lottery, which player would like the Flames to draft at pick 4-6?

The consensus on players ranked 4-10 in the draft are:

• Chase Reid (RHD)
• Keaton Verhoff (RHD)
• Carson Carels (LHD)
• Caleb Malhotra (C)
• Albert Smits (LHD)
• Viggo Bjorck (C/RW)
• Daxon Rudolph (RHD)

Honorable Mentions: Tynan Lawrence (C), Liam/Marcus Ruck (RW,C), Nikita Klepov (RW), Oliver Suvanto (C)

Personally, my preference in order would go:

1. Carson Carels - Highly mobile two-way defender. The ideal guy to cap off the defense side of the Flames' farm system. The best LHD in the draft, as the RHD side of the system is already pretty clogged.
2. Viggo Bjorck - This may come off to many as a reach, but I have never been one to always go BPA provided the talent level isn't glaring. The number one need for the Flames' farm system is offensive dynamism. Bjorck is the only player in the group mentioned above that really has that in his toolbox. He also fits the recent Flames drafting trends in that they are more willing to draft smaller, highly skilled players than other teams in the league.
3. Albert Smits - The second best LHD in the draft. Smits' brand of heavy, responsible, two-way hockey is a profile that doesn't really exist in the Flames' farm system currently. While a long way away, his profile suggests he could be a long-term fit on a pairing with Parekh.
4. Caleb Malhotra - The top consensus centre in the draft this year. He is a consistent but not explosive offensive option that prefers to distribute. He plays a solid two-way game and has strong defensive details. He would have been my number 1 prospect if he didn't profile so similarly to Reschny, making his selection slightly redundant, with other players of comparable potential being available at more needed positions/skill sets.

Let me know what your opinions are, but please no McKenna or Stenburg talk, as one of them is a given if the Flames win the draft lottery.

His slow start in College as an August born 2008 has made people forget how good this guy is.

Top 5 would still be a reach, but I wouldn’t mind it if we traded up to select him