6. Calgary Flames
Who knew that when the Oilers beat the Flames in 2022 that would spell the death knell for the core of that team? The Flames have since seen an exodus out of town that constitute the vast majority of their core for a long time - Matthew Tkachuk, Johnny Gaudreau, Noah Hanifin, Oliver Kylington, Chris Tanev, Andrew Mangiapane, Elias Lindholm, and Jakob Markstrom, just to name the ones off the top of my head.
At the time ownership wasn't in favor of a rebuild, but now they've been forced into one with all the contracts that have departed the organization. They also have a bevy of draft picks waiting for them. They have two first rounders for the next two drafts, they have two second rounders in 2025, and they have two third rounders in 2026. The only pick they're missing is their own fourth rounder in 2025. So lots of opportunity for young players - and that's not even getting into the pieces they've acquired in trade or drafted. Andrei Kuzmenko and Yegor Sherangovich will both play key roles in the top six forward group going forward, while blueliner Rasmus Andersson gets more responsibility. Connor Zary is a key future piece who will play a top six role for them next season. In goal Dustin Wolf, touted as the best goalie in the AHL at one point, is graduating to the NHL this season with Jakob Markstrom now gone.
Not much more to say about this team - the focus going forward should be securing high drafts picks and the subsequent talent that comes with it. Wins are secondary for the Flames at this point.
7. Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks are in the middle of a rebuild so naturally expectations are low once again. Like the Flames, infuse more talent in the organization and that's about it.
They have some good pieces in place but need to keep building. Troy Terry and Trevor Zegras will be the pillars at forward for the franchise for the foreseeable future. Alex Killorn is great support and he looks like he'll finish his career in Anaheim. Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, and Mason Mctavish are all great pieces for the future. Ryan Strome, Robby Fabri, and Frank Vatrano are all great veteran support.
On D Cam Fowler is still here from the old guard, and he will still be here through next season. Radko Gudas and Brian Dumoulin are good veteran support. In goal, John Gibson is still in Anaheim for this season plus two more, but is injured right now with appendix issues. That gives Lukas Dostal and Calle Clang the chance to duke it out to take over. The Ducks are missing their own second round pick in 2025 but have two each in rounds three through five. I hope their scouting staff is up to the task.