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dammage79 · 01-19-2013, 12:32 AM

I just do not see PHX and DET being better than the Flames this year. So that bumps the Flames up to 12. EDM has a TON of young raw firepower but their top 7 D are suspect and their depth is even worse. Dubnyk is going to step up and prove to be a surefire number one? Probably not. See him being more of a Chris Mason type goalie, serviceable but not likely to carry the load or single handedly win games for you. So the Flames will finish higher than EDM which puts us at 11.

Are the Flames going to do worse than Anaheim? No, their second line is ancient, their really good goalie gets hurt every second day, and their D is mixed with young good kids learning the game and some meh type career D. Souray wont get you to the playoffs. Flames in tenth now.

Now we're in the mix with COL, MINN, DAL and NSH. Dallas got older and less gritty last season and now have leaned more towards giving their young D steady minutes. Does Derek Roy and Jagr and Whitney get them into 6-8 spot? Not so confident. I really like Kari Lehtonen a lot and he can steal games, Louie Eriksson and Jamie Benn would have to have really good years to push this team in.

COL, Young, and just as full of scoring talent as EDM, with a much better D core. But I think their coach sucks and their goaltending is worst in the division. Flames Should be better than COL. Flames are in ninth now.

Has NSH gotten better this year? No, they stayed pretty much the same. Losing Tootoo wont hurt as they have Gaustad to replace, losing Suter hurt immensely as I think their younger D like Ellis need a little more seasoning before really making an impact. Rinne is all world so moving ahead of NSH will be tough.

I guess what it all comes down to for me is how the Flames fare against Minnesota. With the addition of one superstar and a stud D man does that push them over the Flames? Goaltending is Equal, Flames have the edge in their top six D and D depth. Advantage to the Wild for their top six forwards. Although it will be interesting to see the ROTY battle between Granlund and Sven.

Minnesota and the season series against them will tell us where the flames will place this year. Essentially fighting for second in the division and whoever wins that battle gets a playoff spot.

01-19-2013, 12:32 AM	#194
dammage79 Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Calgary Exp:	I just do not see PHX and DET being better than the Flames this year. So that bumps the Flames up to 12. EDM has a TON of young raw firepower but their top 7 D are suspect and their depth is even worse. Dubnyk is going to step up and prove to be a surefire number one? Probably not. See him being more of a Chris Mason type goalie, serviceable but not likely to carry the load or single handedly win games for you. So the Flames will finish higher than EDM which puts us at 11. Are the Flames going to do worse than Anaheim? No, their second line is ancient, their really good goalie gets hurt every second day, and their D is mixed with young good kids learning the game and some meh type career D. Souray wont get you to the playoffs. Flames in tenth now. Now we're in the mix with COL, MINN, DAL and NSH. Dallas got older and less gritty last season and now have leaned more towards giving their young D steady minutes. Does Derek Roy and Jagr and Whitney get them into 6-8 spot? Not so confident. I really like Kari Lehtonen a lot and he can steal games, Louie Eriksson and Jamie Benn would have to have really good years to push this team in. COL, Young, and just as full of scoring talent as EDM, with a much better D core. But I think their coach sucks and their goaltending is worst in the division. Flames Should be better than COL. Flames are in ninth now. Has NSH gotten better this year? No, they stayed pretty much the same. Losing Tootoo wont hurt as they have Gaustad to replace, losing Suter hurt immensely as I think their younger D like Ellis need a little more seasoning before really making an impact. Rinne is all world so moving ahead of NSH will be tough. I guess what it all comes down to for me is how the Flames fare against Minnesota. With the addition of one superstar and a stud D man does that push them over the Flames? Goaltending is Equal, Flames have the edge in their top six D and D depth. Advantage to the Wild for their top six forwards. Although it will be interesting to see the ROTY battle between Granlund and Sven. Minnesota and the season series against them will tell us where the flames will place this year. Essentially fighting for second in the division and whoever wins that battle gets a playoff spot.