NHL Rumors: What Are the Calgary Flames' Biggest Highlights This Offseason?

Calgary Sun: Rob Wong talks to Wes Gilbertson and Danny Austin about the priorities for Craig Conroy and the Calgary Flames this offseason.

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Wong: “So, Rome wasn't built on Wes Day, but Craig Conroy released most of his pending UFAs in trades during the season. So there's a little bit of work to be done on that as well, but when you look at the to-do list, what do you think are his priorities?”

Gilbertson: “Yes, the most obvious and deciding the future of the starting goalkeeper is Jacob Markstrom. Will you keep him? Will you make them available on the commercial market? Do you want to come back? You know that's a question I'm sure was discussed in his exit interview. Something he was not willing to revive, in the media.

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So you know, Markstrom's future is number one, Oliver Kylington is a big name on the short list of UFAs. And then, you know, it kind of goes beyond those two obvious ones.

I think the most important thing for the Flames is to continue to progress in this, you know, they end up going the way they're going to go when they're young. Whether they will remodel or rebuild whatever you want to call it.

I think one of the priorities, at least the way I see it in Craig Conroy, is, you know, don't take that away too soon. You know, you can be tempted by a free agent who really likes how much cap space you get. Just stay with the plan here.”

Austin: “Yeah, so I was going to say before I say mine, Wes's is mine too. I tend to agree with everything he said. So those are the priorities. I'm not trying to make an argument here.

But as I will say I think a little peace and quiet would go a long way around Calgary and around the Scotiabank Saddledome. You know, maybe as early as 2022, but I think you can go back with Mark Giordano and the Expansion Draft and, everything that happened there. It feels like it's been a long time since the player migration but it's one thing after another. This team had gone through many coaches.

I just think stability is going to be good and I think it's very important to go along with that stability to not sign your 2025 UFAs. You don't want these same questions to be repeated across the board and organization. It takes its toll. It was not easy for the player or the coaching staff or frankly the media to keep going for these things.

But I just think that Craig Conroy, what he did was he moved the guys that were supposed to move. But we don't see, we don't see completely what he wants to build and what he wants to do. He forced his hand. Now we see him putting his best foot forward in this group. I think you have done a great job so far.

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But maybe no, no drama as Mary J. Blige used to say, leave it at the door. That's all, I think would be great for this organization right now. “

Wong: “Yeah, good point there. It's been a rocky last time for the Flames. We'll see what the offseason brings.”