The Calgary Flames have two games remaining in their 2024-25 regular season schedule. They are still alive in the Stanley Cup playoff picture, and while improbable, their pathway to the post-season is a lot less fanciful than it seemed a few weeks ago.

As we gird ourselves for a big week to come, let’s dive into the mailbag.

Honestly, considering how much Craig Conroy has touted “the plan” over the past year or two, I don’t think whether the Flames make the playoffs or not this season makes much difference regarding his off-season moves. I’m sure that the Flames will be looking for ways to move their program forward, and some of those opportunities may involve moving out an established player in an effort to get a bit younger or faster. That said, I don’t think they’re in any hurry to move anybody for the sake of moving ’em.

Let’s be honest here, folks: the Flames haven’t been in a position this season where they can out-score their mistakes. As a result, the margins for them – especially in terms of things like their play in overtime or with the man advantage – have been really, really tight. They’re a group that probably could’ve used an extra goal or two in those types of high-leverage situations in order to squirrel away an extra handful of points over the course of the regular season.

If you’re a left shot winger or a goaltender, there probably aren’t going to be a ton of opportunities within the Flames system to distinguish yourself. The net belongs to Dustin Wolf, and they have oodles of left shot wingers. But if you’re a centre or a right shot winger, I think you can potentially be sold on the Flames’ ability to give you opportunities with the Wranglers to stand out. And the Flames have, for the next few seasons at least, oodles of draft choices and cap space with which to acquire and/or sign those types of players. I don’t know if Isaac Howard’s situation specifically is one that could benefit the Flames, but I think agents see a new building and the direction of the team and can be convinced to give Calgary a chance.

If you’re drafted out of Canadian major junior and remain there, the team that drafts you has until the second June 1 after you’re drafted to sign you. (For Henry Mews, that would be June 1, 2026.)

If you’re drafted out of Canadian major junior and commit to college before that second June 1 signing deadline, the deadline shifts. The Flames will hold Mews’ rights until the late of the fourth June 1 after he was drafted (e.g., June 1, 2028) or the Aug. 15 after he leaves college.

It essentially tacks on a minimum of two extra years to a player’s NHL rights.