Quote:
Originally Posted by Nehkara
You can be realistic and still cheer though.
Yes a good portion of our roster was on a team that couldn't quite make the post season.
There are significant signs for optimism, however. A completely new coaching staff will bring a lot of changes, it is instructive to remember that the only years in the last 8 that the Flames missed the playoffs were the years that Brent Sutter was coach. Not saying it was his fault necessarily but a change in approach may be enough to get the team over the hump.
The Flames have also significantly increased the skill quotient in their lineup. Additions of Cervenka (when he can play), full season of Cammalleri, Hudler, Baertschi, and Wideman will help.
Either way, it doesn't bother me if fans are realistic/pessimistic but still cheer hard for the team and hope they win... but when it comes to hoping they lose to get a good draft pick, that's just not cool.
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I think the Flames are in dire straights. You say reasons for optimism. I say grasping at make believe straws.
- The chances are much better that players like Kipper/Iginla (age) and Glencross (normalized S%, loss of partner) regress then seeing rebounds from players like Stajan and Bouwmeester.
- There is every possibility that free agents signings like Wideman (requires team quality/offense to be successful), Hudler (S% regression), and Cervenka (long odds on European imports) don't succeed.
- We lack any legitimate top 6 Cs (most important position in hockey).
- The coaching change will be different this time. Honest.
- Etc.
- Etc.
- Etc
.
This team was crap the last two seasons and it is tough to make a case that a veteran team who let one of their best forwards walk is going to maintain their level let alone improve. A coaching change and 15-million in high risk long term free agent signings doesn't change that.
Only (some) Calgary fans are in denial. As I said above Vegas odds have us at 50/1 to win the cup. Third worst in the entire NHL. None of the sources I frequent estimate Calgary to make the playoffs. Not one.
If there was a light at the end of the tunnel it would be bearable. But the reality is our best players are nearing regression / retirement / moving on and we don't have players coming up to fill the coffers.
Fans like to overestimate their teams prospects. But the reality is, as encouraged as I am over Brodie, Baertschi, and Gaudrea we still have a serious lack of prospects. None besides Brodie have legitimate NHL experience and most of our guys are a long ways off. People like to estimate players like Granlund in our future top 6 because of a strong WJC. But the odds or incredible long on most of our guys. And even if they hit how does Baertschi-Jankowski-Gaudrea likely line up against Hall-RNH-Eberle?
Compared to a majority of other NHL teams we are behind in the prospect department. And yet one of the few groups that continues to be naive is the one group that can do something about it. The Flames don't need to blow it up. But they do need to start making an active effort on improving our future. And no, focusing on Byron/Smith caliber prospects doesn't count. They need to start stockpiling picks and prospects BEFORE they drop off a cliff.
But (rant finally off) I agree with the bold. Hoping your team loses, even if it may be in the teams long term interest, is ridiculous. Rebuilding teams acknowledge losing as a possibility but they still do everything they reasonably can to win and the fan base should be cheering them on.
That said, if you are losing (like we have been) I would sure like the comfort blanket that encourages me that the team is at least working towards a future that is better rather then worse. Because there is nothing worse then things sucking but knowing that the worst is yet to come.