Your 2014/2015 Calgary Flames - Better or Worse?

[sun]

Well the worst season in franchise history just wrapped up. 35-40-7... good for 27th overall. For the most part, it really wasn't that bad. Not too many blowouts, rookie progression, team identity, etc. About as good as you could ask from rebuild year #1 really. Rough patches here and there, but mostly notbad.jpg. Year felt shorter than last, don't you think?

But how about next year? Will we move up in the standings or slide lower? As an optometrist, I like to think we will improve, but it's not simple math even if dreger thinks it is when it comes to the oilers.

There was actually a lot that went right this year - 22 goals from a boring rookie, BEAST of a year from Gio, decent numbers from Ramo, team effort nearly every game. I don't think it's unreasonable to think that there might be some regression with those who had career years - Russel, Gio, Brodie, Monahan (sophomore slump), Hudler (almost). Cammalleri may not be back. Who else?

On the other hand, take a look at man games lost to pretty key players:

Glencross - 44
Wideman - 33
Stajan - 20
Gio - 18
Cammalleri - 17
Russel - 14
Monahan - 9
Smid - 7
Hudler - 7

So what say you? Next year, will we bottom out for McDavid, or start crawling back up the standings? Top 5 pick? Top 10? "Playoffs?! You talking bout playoffs?" Will UFA/rookie additions help or hinder? I could be convinced either way, so convince me!

Your options are "better" or "worse". No cop-out "same" answers. Mods, how about a poll?

[fuffalo]

same.

[skudr248]

Better

[Crumpy-Gunt]

Worse

[dissentowner]

Easily better.

[nik-]

worse

[Roof-Daddy]

Depends on a lot of unknown factors at this point.

[jayswin]

I would bet with Burke in the organization (he is very impatient and likes to build teams quickly) and the progression we've already made with the young guys here and Hartley's coaching abilities (or as moon calls it; lack of coaching ability), this will be the last top 5 pick this team sees for a long time.

[SuperMatt18]

Ask me in October, lots can change between now and then.

[DionTheDman]

Tough to see improvement if we lose Cammalleri, who was our best goal-scorer with 26 goals.

[dammage79]

UFA/Trade/Draft variables muddy the waters when it comes to predicting next season.

My guess, one big move, a favorable draft result and some minor tweaks get the Flames out of the basement.

[lanny9]

Infusion of more youth, I will say worse, maybe bottom 2 or 3. But as long as they complete like this year I will be happy.

[Vinny01]

I think we take a step back. The team had a solid record in 1 goal games, OT, and SO. With Cammy gone, and it being unlikely a top tier FA like Stastny signs in Calgary I think they take a step back. Hopefully Gio, Brodie, Backlund, Minahan, Colborne all take steps forward but I wouldn't be shocked to see a little regression in some of them.

I wonder what Burke does. Does he look at this team as one that is missing a couple of offensive pieces, and a top 4 D and they make a run at the playoffs? Does he think they are still only entering their 2nd draft as a rebuilding club and need to take it slow? I tend to think this team waits one more year before really going after win now pieces. With the high end of next years draft resembling 2013 the Flames should finish bottom 5 one more season and go for it in 15/16

[Bunk]

We were quite substantially better than the lowly bottom 3 this year. I see us being in about the same spot next year - about 24th-27th, then a rapid improvement.

[Mass_nerder]

Around the same. (+/- 2 spots).

[kyuss275]

Tough to say. If they keep up the effort and add a big top 4 d man another big offence player they could be better.

On the other end can some players play as good as they did this year? Gio had an incredible year. Can he repeat? Can monahan break 20 again? Ramo looked good after his injury until last 2 games. Which goalie is he? If Butler comes back can he be as good as he was in the last half? Those are just some of the players that need to stay the course, there are others. If no to some of those, especially Gio, then they could be worse.

[kermitology]

Mildly better depending on how this summer plays out. I think they have some talent in the wings, and the work ethic, just not quite time to put them both together.

[irrevocable]

Better. I think the kids keep progressing and Burke makes some moves.

[PeteMoss]

If Giordano sustains his play... Better.

[LanceUppercut]

I'll go with slightly worse, 28th next year.