How Many Players Away Do You Think the Flames Are?

[Gunkle]

Put a sheet in on O'Reilly and let's make this interesting.

[Caged Great]

They need 3.

They need two players of Iginla's prior level (he's not at that level any more)
They need a goalie at roughly Kipper's prior level, or in the neighbourhood.

[Poe969]

surprised people aren't saying that we are a contending team now. Give this team one more chance!

[KOgear]

Originally Posted by CSharp

As of last night's game and from the Vancouver game, the Flames are far too many players. Too many are just passengers or not the right pieces for the Flames to even build upon. Players like Tanguay, GlenX, Camellari, Jackman, and Gio should be ashamed of themselves.

Guys like Comeau and Butler shouldn't even be on the team. Irving is not even NHL ready.

Iggy was pretty bad last night too, showed no interest in playing defense and needs to be stronger getting the puck out of the zone. He looked like he was too old to play, with the exception of a few offensive chances.

[Wronskian]

2

Mackinnon and McDavid

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

3 to 4 top end players, which is the problem.

Our top line, simply not good enough. We need an upgrade on 2 top line players, one being a centre.

If J-Bouw could be the D-man we want him to be consistently, then we still need one more top 4 player on the back end, but it can be more of a second pairing guy. If J-Bouw plays like las year, then it's a #1 D man we need.

[CliffFletcher]

A first line centre, a top pairing defenceman, and a punishing 3rd line winger.

They'll almost certainly have to draft the first two, so this is a long-term project. And by that time, you'll need to add a starting NHL goalie to list.

[H2SO4(aq)]

ryan getzlaff. the rest will follow

[Gunkle]

Originally Posted by Poe969

surprised people aren't saying that we are a contending team now. Give this team one more chance!

One more chance....three coaches ago....no more time for 'identity, find your feet....'. Others teams are winning.....therefore, we have no excuse.

Hockey is entertainment ..... and winning is fun!

[Poe969]

but we've all become so close with these guys. Change is scary...

[Tinordi]

Depends on how Sven develops, if he turns into a top line winger then we'll need a top line centre, a second line centre and another bonafide top 6 scoring threat. Those players will have to be drafted or traded for.

We then need speed and attack on D which will need to be drafted.

We then need goaltending.

Basically, a full roster rebuild is required.

Best case scenario is you do it in the amount of time it took St. Louis and LA which was about 6-7 seasons.

[Psytic]

Originally Posted by Gunkle

Put a sheet in on O'Reilly and let's make this interesting.

Apparently he wants at least 5 mill a season plus the Flames have to give up picks to the Avs. I'm not sold that he is the real deal either.

[Split98]

2

I haven't given up on Irving yet, but there is also a lot of hope in Ramo to replace Kipper
I like our D and forward depth

But we're missing that Steve Ott and an obvious 1st line C.

IMO, with those 2 pieces I'm pretty happy with the team.

[Poe969]

those are some pretty low standards....

[Husky]

The Flames D is fine. Definately above average when compared to the rest when you look at top end skill and overall depth.

A healthy kipper is fine - and Irving is shown to be at least a backup.

The forward group is the issue. We now need a legit top line center. If Backlund is healthy and Stajan playing betetr our #2/3 centers are fine. Wingers are decent too. One concern I have is the lack of a true pest on this team. The Flames need one. Give them some swagger. ALso, our 4th line for grit/energy is pretty lackluster.

[FlamesFanStrandedInEDM]

An entire legitimate first line

[timbit]

The problems are numerous, deeper and been very noticeable for the last 7 years. Having not been addressed the solutions are not short term, as a result.
The biggest difference between a true contender and the Flames are the lack of impact players between the age of 21-27.
Without doing the research and subsequent factual substantiation...the Blues, Hawks, Kings Sharks Stars Ducks Wild to name a few are light years ahead of the Flames. That is just from the Western Conference.

How did that happen?
IMO, a lack of good drafting, poor development, short sighted trades and quite frankly...what looks like a very shortsighted and poorly planned mandate from ownership.

Since when did a management/ ownership goals on a short , intermediate and longterm basis revolve around being a less than mediocre "squeak" into 8th place team?

To answer the OP' s question...many players, although,

It depends on what you are aiming for.

[afc wimbledon]

It is about 2 years past planning around Kipper or Iginla, the team needs to plan for their succesion and I am not sure you can do that while trying to make the playoffs as an objective.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by FlamesFanStrandedInEDM

An entire legitimate first line

I'd say the only first line player have is Alex Tanguay. I still think he's a legit top line LW.

[Tinordi]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

I'd say the only first line player have is Alex Tanguay. I still think he's a legit top line LW.

He might be right now but he wont be in two years.