Is this a playoff team?

[bluck]

The title says it all. Are the Calgary Flames a playoff team for this season?

[Dion]

Way too early to tell.

[JonDuke]

If the playoffs started tomorrow, yes.

[_Q_]

Yes they are

[GioforPM]

I don't know if they would make it in, but if they do, and they are healthy, they'd be a tough matchup. Goaltending, defence, grit, timely scoring.

[ForeverFlameFan]

What a story it'd be if we did. But, it's too early to tell as of now. I like what I've seen so far though.

[LanceUppercut]

I'd check back at game 20 and game 40. If it is going in this same general direction at those two markers, quite possibly.

[Northendzone]

Surprised that it took this long for a thread like this to get started.......

[Jbo]

Way too soon, but If they can keep pace with the California teams, we may have a shot

[terminator]

[Cole436]

As of right now, in my opinion they're not.

They've had great goaltending and support from the backend, but after our top 3 the defence drops like a rock. Outside of Gaudreau and Hudler our forwards are fortunate that they're scoring by committee because there's no consistent go to players in our top six besides the aforementioned ones.

We've been fortunate up until this point.

Now this can change as the season goes along. If Monahan grows more in his role as a top six centre, we are able to bring in a top six right winger and a number four defenceman via trade, I'd say that we have a legitimate shot at the playoffs this year when we're healthy.

Hudler-Backlund-Raymond
Gaudreau-Monahan-X
Glencross-Colborne-Jooris
Byron-Stajan-Bollig

Giordano-Brodie
Russell-X
Wideman-Smid

Hiller

I think this team can make the playoffs if we fill those holes and the stars align with Monahan.

[jg13]

If Brodie Giordano and Hiller stay healthy all year and that's a hell of a long shot, I say yes.

[Street Pharmacist]

No. There will be some losing this season, and some players will simmer down. I think we finish in the bubble, but 5-10 points out

[Vinny01]

I am not sure at this point. I thought they were bottom feeders but the way they are going I am starting to believe

[Cheese]

ebbs and flows = no
enjoy the ride on both sides

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by Cole436

As of right now, in my opinion they're not.

They've had great goaltending and support from the backend, but after our top 3 the defence drops like a rock. Outside of Gaudreau and Hudler our forwards are fortunate that they're scoring by committee because there's no consistent go to players in our top six besides the aforementioned ones.

Strongly disagree. Which of Russel or Wideman do you believe isn't up to snuff? One is a veteran who's working hard and providing a lot of offense, and the other is a young guy who's extremely smart with the puck and improving almost every game. After that you have Engelland and Smid, certainly nothing special but neither has hurt the team with the limited icetime they've gotten. In fact given their play as a whole I'd say the Flames D has been one of the best in the league 1 through 6

Playoff bound, who knows. But all this team has done is continue the progress they started last year, and that has managed to get them near the top of the standings. Even if the pace slows, if they continue the progression I don't see why they can't sneak in

[chedder]

Wiseman's playing like a top 4 so far me thinks.

[DoubleF]

I think we all deserve a nice Peter Maher, "YEAH! BABY!"

[SebC]

Maybe. 29th in shots per game is concerning.

[CliffFletcher]

When I watch the team play, I think yes. When I see that they're 28th in the league in shots for per game, I realize probably not.

Edit: SebC beat me to it.