“This is a very good project”

Make a list of them.

And double check it.

With plenty of capital at next month's NHL Draft in Las Vegas, Flames management is taking time to fine-tune their strategy to take advantage of the talented 2024 class.

After three days of meetings at the Scotiabank Saddledome this week, the group has a clearer picture of how the project might unfold and has a shopping list that rivals any teenager flipping through the pages of a list. Book of wishes once upon a time.

Calgary has eight picks in the first four rounds of this year's draft, including a pair of first-rounders.

Director of Hobby Scouting Todd Button says these two picks will help the Flames land or run to the draft floor.

“At number nine we're going to get a really good player, a top player, there's no question about that,” he said during a break in the fixture list on Wednesday. “I think we don't know a lot about the draft, maybe, or the quality of it, and I think a lot of players have stepped up throughout the year, they've gotten better.

“Early on, I would have told you it might be an average draft, I think it's a very good draft, so I think our group is very excited not only about the ninth overall pick, but we're very excited about all the other picks. We'll get there in two days.” .

For Button and his scouts, the reunions provide a chance to regroup after a long season of travel.

Each Scout has their own experiences from Western Canada to Quebec to Europe and everywhere in between.

But the meeting allows everyone to reach a consensus, even if it puts personal preferences aside.

“We can't do it any other way, like you have to have one guy ahead of the other and have an order,” Button said. “There's a bit of a struggle going on there, but it's productive.

“It's really important that we get the roster right so we can sit down at the table and (General Manager Craig Conroy) have a good idea of ​​what we're going to do.”