Here are the most pressing positional needs Calgary should address at the right opportunity. #1 is most important while #3 is least important.

1. A 1st line or 2nd line RW that shoots right and is either a power forward or can score goals in bunches.

2. A mobile, shifty and fast-skating LW that shoots left, has an offensive flair in his game and can play with pace. He needs to be able to put up points and play on the 1st or 2nd line. This need will become more important if Johnny Gaudreau is going to sign with another team or be traded next year.

3. A top 9 two-way centreman who is a very good skater, can make plays, win faceoffs, contribute on special teams and put up points with some consistency. This need will become more important if Backlund will be taken by Seattle.

If Giordano is not taken by Seattle, he will likely play the rest of his NHL career with the Calgary Flames.

That means the Calgary Flames will need to be 100% focused on drafting forwards with their top picks.

Unless of course, a defenceman is by far the best or safest player available when it is time to pick.

Preferably, Flames should try re-signing Gaudreau before his modified-NTC kicks in.

A contract offer similar to what James Van Riemsdyk got with the Flyers could convince him to stay in Calgary.

That means Gaudreau will likely have to be offered 7 million x 5.

If not, he should be traded to any team that would overpay for a top 6 LW because they desperately need to stay in contention.

Many teams have done it before and it will happen again.

Please see my ACGM 2 posts that I made recently about what Gaudreau might be worth next year :)