I contend there will be no safe spots if the Flames perform poorly in the first or second round especially around Gio, Brodie, Johnny and Mony. After 2 very poor rounds against the Ducks Tre and the rest of management will question their model for success.
The core IMO Johnny, Mony, Lindholm, Gio, Brodie, Chucky, and Hamonic. Others that can't perform badly Bennett, Back's, Frolik, and Smith.
By performing poorly anything less than 6 games would be considered a poor performance. After last season expectations were raised and management expects the club to compete.