Can the Calgary Flames afford Jarome Iginla? Will they trade other key players to make room for his salary? Can they make the playoffs -- and rake in the accompanying cash -- with their current roster? Is there a more difficult job in the NHL than Craig Button's?

ESPN.com asked for your thoughts about the Flames. Here is an edited sampling of your responses:

The Flames will be lucky to finish ahead of Minnesota in the standings. Their goaltending is very weak and Jarome Iginla probably won't repeat his career year. I do think they are one move away from becoming a legitimate contender. Too bad that move would be to Seattle or another U.S. city.

Kevin Duffy
Denver

I was disappointed that they choked coming down the stretch. Iginla can't carry that team by himself, which is what management seems to be banking on. Speaking of banking, his paycheck request is not out of line, and for the Flames to not have seen this coming when he started to blow up (and to have planned accordingly) is stupidity on their part. Though he loves Alberta and the team, it may be better for Iginla to get traded to a team that knows how to win, and that will help him take his game to the next level. I am waiting to see if they will stick by their previous vow not to pay out the nose (and thus trade Iginla like they did the others), or make a special exception. Either way, Craig Button is between a rock and a hard place. Sucks to be him right about now!

Tiffany Davis
Bladensburg, Md.

If we can sign Iggy and start to beat the bad teams in the league we would be a contender. We go into Detroit, Colorado and Dallas -- the Big Three in the West -- and WIN. After that we will come back home and play Nashville and Anaheim, or go to Florida and Tampa and lose. Now contending teams don't lose to the teams below them. Once we can start beating the bottom teams, then you can call us contenders. I say, take the 100-1 Vegas odds to win the Cup this year. If we can make the playoffs, we will go far and could hoist the Cup once again.

Kelly Mruk
Calgary, Alberta

I think that with the signing of Gelinas and Kobasew, the young Flames are gonna keep improving and become one of the fastest skating teams in the West. But the keys to the Flames' success will be whether or not they can finally get some consistency from young players like Saprykin and Regehr. If Iginla signs, I really like the Flames lineup heading into training camp:

McAmmond-Conroy-Iginla Gelinas-Savard-Kobasew Wright-Niedermayer-Clark Begin-Betts-Nichol

Morris-Regehr Gauthier-Lydman Boughner-Leopold

Button has done a great job.

Reuben Kaufman
Edmonton, Alberta

The Calgary Flames are a victim of the horrible financial landscape of the NHL. While the Rangers and Stars are buying their way to success (or trying to), the teams in the smaller markets are suffering dearly. Greg Gilbert is going to be a great head coach. This team has a stud defenseman in Derek Morris, but they must find a way to keep Jarome Iginla long term. If they can lock up the core for the long haul, this team will be in for long-term success. Oh, and by the way, Eric Nystrom was a great pick!

Peter Lo Palo
Huntington, N.Y.

As vital as Jarome Iginla's presence and charisma is to the Flames, and as important as Calgary's strong defensive corps is, the team will ultimately go only so far as goalie Roman Turek takes them. He showed us early last year that he is capable of being among the top netminders in the league. Then, after his contract extension, he became complacent and ordinary, dragging the team's fortune with him. If Turek is simply good, the Flames will once again struggle to make the playoffs. If he is very good, they will make the round of 16. However, if he can play to his full potential, a la Theodore or Irbe, then there are no limits for these feisty, hard-working Flames.

Azim Ahmed
Oakville, Ontario

It was tough to watch the Flames dwindle down to nothing at the end of the 2001-2002 season, but at least now the fans know that they have a team that has the ABILITY to win. For instance, Calgary had the best record against the Stanley Cup champions -- the Detroit Red Wings. That's something. As for this year, I have learned to hope (and sometimes pray), but not to expect anything from my team. Don't get me wrong, my hope is turning very rapidly into faith -- I just bought two season tickets! I think Button is doing all he can -- the rest is up to the guys in the locker room.

Ryan Oakley
Calgary, Alberta