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The Calgary Flames have a very good core in place but there is still a lot of work to do this off-season.
On top of working on extensions for the likes of Micheal Ferland, Kris Versteeg and Sam Bennett, the Flames need to add one or two goaltenders, more depth on the back-end and, ideally, shed some of the hefty contracts bottom-6 forwards on the roster aren't living up to (Troy Brouwer makes $4.5M, Lance Bouma makes $2.2M, etc.)
Before putting the wheels in motion for any of that, the Flames have to decide who will be running the operation - and fast.
GM Brad Treliving's contract will soon expire and there's a lingering vibe that he could be let go. I believe that would be a mistake and Treliving deserves a new deal but if it were a slam dunk I think it'd be done by now.
For all the talk about the Flames having a good year -- they did -- the higher-ups don't seem thrilled with being swept out of the playoffs.
Personally, I think a solid 82 game body of work outweighs four tough games and making decisions based on the end would not be the smart thing to do. I also think the Flames played the Anaheim Ducks well and a good case can be made they were the better team for long stretches of play. Making drastic changes would be an overreaction.
Anyhow, Treliving is expected to meet with ownership this week to discuss his future,
according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
He has the latest on the situation:
5. Calgary GM Brad Treliving is scheduled to meet with ownership some time this week. The word around the league is he wants to stay. That’s always a positive, because without a willingness to make a deal, it becomes exponentially harder.
There’s a real sense of, “They’re not seriously going to get rid of him, are they?” But I think it comes down to the Flames’ offer. If it’s market value, everything’s OK. If not, there’s trouble. And if it doesn’t work out, I wonder if Calgary will take a long look at Craig Conroy. His time is coming.
Again, I think retaining Treliving would be the smart thing to do. The Brouwer and Bouma contracts were bad ones the day they were signed but, for the most part, Treliving has done a very good job running the Flames.
The Michael Frolik signing was excellent. The Kris Versteeg signing was excellent. The Dougie Hamilton trade was excellent. The Brian Elliott addition didn't work out at the very end but was a worthwhile gamble. The team has also drafted well under Treliving. Obviously, the scouting staff obviously has a lot to do with that but Treliving has the final word.
Simply put, Treliving's body of work contains more good than bad and I think he should be rewarded for that.
Recent posts:
On Kovalchuk and Conroy
Playoff predictions for the 2nd round
Calgary Flames 2016-17 season awards
Notes on quotes from locker room clean-out day
Setting the table for the Flames' off-season
A bitter ending
Stanley Cup predictions
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
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