This is how I see things as a Canucks fan...
The Flames prospects are not the best in the league, by any means, but, I think they are certainly similar in level to the Canucks prospects. Let's compare...
Flames: Baertschi, Brodie, Niemisz, Bouma, Aliu, Jones, Backlund, Irving, Butler, Smith, Horak, Reinhart, Carson, Byron... did I miss anyone major?
Canucks: Kassian, Tanev, Gragnani, Lack, Connauton, Jensen, Schroeder, Sweatt, Rodin, Cannata, Sauve, Polasek, Corrado... did i miss anyone major?
Looking at this list, things look pretty even, to me. Maybe even a slight edge to Calgary?
It'll sure be fun to watch over the next 5 years. Both teams are getting older. The guys above and future picks will have to step in soon!
I know I'll get "flamed" for this, but, upon closer examination of the Flames assets, I think the Flames are actually going to make the playoffs next year.
They have a solid, veteran core which, because of dumbass contracts, they may be forced to keep. Iggy, Gio, Kipper, Tangs, Cammy, J-Bo, Jackman, Stajan (eek!) maybe re-sign Joker (ughh! He's so Jekyll and Hyde!), Sarich and Hannan... older, but solid.
Add in the yute, and it's experience from this season, and some new-blood, 9-12 slot role players and you just might have a playoff squad in 12-13.
