As each NHL team is eliminated from playoff contention -- either mathematically or by losing in the postseason -- we'll take a look at why its quest for the Stanley Cup fell short in 2017-18, along with three keys to its offseason and a way-too-early prediction on what 2018-19 will hold.
What went wrong
As late as Feb. 15, the Calgary Flames were in a playoff spot. Since then, the Flames have gone 5-12-2 as part of an epic stumble that could cost the team more than the playoffs.
But then, how much of a stumble was it? The fact is that the Flames weren't a good hockey team for most of the season, but were propped up by an MVP performance by goalie Mike Smith, a free=agent coup who silenced critics with arguably his best season since 2011-12. Everything from scoring depth -- remember when Jaromir Jagr was a Flame for a minute? -- to defense to special teams took a step back from last season's cameo appearance in the playoffs.
The Flames have some undeniable pieces to build around. But it's clear that more building needs to be done. Which is frustrating, when you consider how many draft picks GM Brad Treliving has shipped out in the past year.
Keys to the offseason
1. Move on from Glen Gulutzan
At this point, it would be an upset if Gulutzan wasn't fired after his second season at the helm. It's never a good sign when a coach is throwing tantrums during games and in practice while the team remains in a playoff-chances-killing tailspin.
There were problems with his player deployment. The power play, loaded with offensive talent, sputtered for a second straight season, dropping to a pathetic 16.6 percent conversion rate overall and a baffling 14.9 percent on home ice. (Even if Gulutzan is retained, assistant coach Dave Cameron probably pays for this with his job.)
The results were too diminished from last season to this season, and there are too many quality candidates to tempt management. That list includes Dave Tippett, GM Brad Treliving's guy back in Arizona; probably Rangers coach Alain Vigneault; maybe Joel Quenneville; heck, what about Darryl Sutter?
2. Figure out the other two lines
The Jagr experiment's failure and the injury to Kris Versteeg scuttled the Flames' plans to bolster their scoring depth behind the Johnny Gaudreau-Sean Monahan line and the 3M Line (Matthew Tkachuk, Michael Frolik, Mikael Backlund). They had only one other trio that generated double-digit goals at even strength.
The Flames enter the summer with roughly $11 million on cap space, and Treliving needs to spend some of that reshaping the supporting cast. With nine forwards under contract for next season, his hand is practically forced. Does that mean moving Sam Bennett, labeled a disappointment at 21 years old? Is there any way to get that Troy Brouwer money off the cap? Can a Flames team with Brian Burke at the top of the pyramid actually get cheaper, faster and less truculent?
3. Reconsider the defense
The Mark Giordano-Dougie Hamilton pairing was arguably the NHL's best, leading all duos in Corsi for percentage (58.5) and expected goal plus/minus (13.77).
Where the Flames really struggled, to their surprise, was on their second pairing, with T.J. Brodie and costly acquisition Travis Hamonic playing to a minus-6 goal differential. The Flames have some strong defensemen in the pipeline; is there a chance someone from the Big Four moves this summer, and is it possible that player is Hamilton?
Realistic expectation for 2018-19
Realistically, the Flames should be a playoff team next season with new leadership behind the bench and some upgrades around the lineup. This season was a dud, but that doesn't mean there isn't anything left in the arsenal.
They still have two dynamic lines, one dynamic defensive pairing, another one that should be dynamic and a veteran goalie that looks like he should be able to hold the fort for another season as the Flames' goalie prospects percolate.
This isn't a teardown, this isn't a crisis-of-faith type of situation. All it takes is an acknowledgement of what worked, what didn't and then an adjustment. It's hard to imagine this team takes another step back in 2018-19. If it does, can Treliving survive it?