How good are the Flames, really?

In the aftermath of their six-game losing streak, which was predictably extended by a 3-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, it is reasonable to ask: How good are the Calgary Flames really? And if they’re not very good, then what do the Flames do next, either try to salvage the season, or put into place a plan that will take them to another level?

The problem is that the Flames have drafted so badly for so long that the kind of optimism that you see in Chicago, or Colorado, or even the New York Islanders, based on the exciting young players dotting their respective line-ups doesn’t resonate in Calgary. The last first-round pick to play regularly for them is Dion Phaneuf, ninth overall in 2003. Kris Chucko, Matt Pelech and Leland Irving – first picks from 2004 to 2006 – may never be NHL regulars; and it remains to be seen how well Mikael Backlund, Greg Nemisz and Tim Erixon will develop.

Forget about 2010 as well; the Phoenix Coyotes own that pick, part of the package of players and draft choices Calgary surrendered to acquired Olli Jokinen at last year’s trading deadline.

The future clearly doesn’t look bright, which is why the Sutter clan is trying to make the most of the present – because if you put the focus on what may happen down the road, things look grim indeed. In the present, Calgary has a decent-enough nucleus to play a certain way – all defence, all the time. They have a front-line goaltender in the midst of an excellent season, Miikka Kiprusoff. They have one elite defenceman, Jay Bouwmeester, and two that are mistake-prone, but not bad – Phaneuf and Robyn Regehr. Mark Giordano is young, cheap and decent, but Cory Sarich – signed for big bucks coming out of the lockout – seems to have lost a step and is now playing as the team’s No. 5 defenceman, not high enough on the depth chart to justify a $3.6-million cap charge.

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