Flames looking for progress, must be buyers at deadline

The Calgary Flames aren't winning the Stanley Cup in 2017.

This shouldn't be breaking news. Calgary has promise, but is simply not yet on the same level as the league's best, in terms of pure skill or consistency.

But the fact that the Flames don't yet have the tools to go for the ultimate prize doesn't mean a trip to the postseason would be of no use to them at all. Just look at the numbers Johnny Gaudreau posted after experiencing Calgary's 2015 playoff run.

Experience precedes growth.

After a pair of up-and-down seasons and a tumultuous start to 2016-17, the Flames are looking to take a step forward, and adding pieces at the deadline will be the straw that stirs that drink.

How they stack up

Calgary isn't in too bad a spot heading into the season's home stretch. With 62 points, the Flames currently hold a Western Conference wild-card position, with the Los Angeles Kings looking like the only club truly threatening to snag it from them.

But as has been the case for much of the Flames' recent history, they're a club trapped in the middle; not strong enough to go all the way, not bad enough to see the bottom fall out from under them.

Calgary tipped that scale last season, plummeting down the standings and earning a blue-chip prospect, Matthew Tkachuk, in the process.

This year, the Flames aren't looking for more future pieces. They're looking for progress.

It isn't as if they stand to be immediately dominated come playoff time. Sitting in a wild-card slot, the two teams they'd most likely face in the first round would be the Minnesota Wild or San Jose Sharks.

Both are strong clubs, but neither has given Calgary too much trouble this season. The Flames have won all three meetings with Minnesota in 2016-17 - the last one was a 5-1 drubbing - and they've earned victories in two of three games against the Sharks.

(Photo courtesy: Reuters)

Better than their record

The perception of the Flames' talent base took a hit during their display of mediocrity last season, but the fact remains that Calgary has plenty of quality pieces distributed throughout their lineup.

There is game-breaking talent in Gaudreau and Sean Monahan - and potentially Sam Bennett, if he awakes from his slumber, and top-tier blue-liners in Mark Giordano, Dougie Hamilton, and T.J. Brodie.

And - a welcome new addition - they boast strong scoring depth, courtesy of Mikael Backlund, Matthew Tkachuk, and Michael Frolik, who have formed one of the league's best lines. The trio has combined for 108 points thus far, and remain the second-best puck possession trio in the league.

There are holes to be filled, but it's clear at this point that the club would be better served looking to address those needs and take the next step - however small it may be - rather than standing pat and filing away 2016-17 as another year undone by misfortune.

Selling off prime pieces like Bennett won't do the franchise any good, but if there are smaller moves to be made, general manager Brad Treliving would be wise to roll the dice.

Deadline desires

So what exactly does Calgary need?

More reliable goaltending is clearly first on the list, as Brian Elliott and Chad Johnson have both brought a mixed bag of success and disappointment this season. Marc-Andre Fleury remains a viable option for Calgary, provided the ask isn't absurdly high, and adding the veteran could allow the Flames to flip one of their current netminders for another piece.

Bringing in another top-nine forward wouldn't hurt either, as offseason acquisition Troy Brouwer hasn't yet lived up to expectations in Calgary. New York Rangers winger Brandon Pirri could be an affordable option, though there are plenty of bigger fish if Treliving wants to aim higher.

A new defensive partner for Brodie could also be of use, as the club has seen him take a step back this season while spending most of his time with Dennis Wideman and Deryk Engelland - his former partner Giordano now paired with Hamilton. There isn't a need to reach for Kevin Shattenkirk, but Cody Franson may be a good fit.

This won't be the year that catapults the Flames back to the top of the pile. But if Treliving is looking for genuine progress, swinging a few astute deals at the deadline to ensure his club makes the playoffs seems the best bet.

There's no better learning experience than the grind of the postseason, and it's time for the Flames to continue their education.