Quote:
Originally Posted by Enoch Root
So Detroit loses a 2nd liner and their second highest goal scorer, and brings in a guy who has never playes in the NHL. Meanwhile, they lose a generational talent on defense. No worries -all good.
The Flames ADD that 2nd liner, as well as another player who any rational person has to rank at least as highly as Brunner, and puts both of these players on their 3rd line.
Meanwhile, instead of losing an all-world defenseman, the Flames add a top 3 defenseman that fills a massive hole they had - a RH shot to generate offense from the D.
Experts declare: Detroit will make the playoffs, Calgary does not have enough talent and should blow it up.
I don't suspect conspiracies or anything silly like that, but I do demand that they put in some kind of effort and actually deliver a good product (analysis being the product here)
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Personally, I doubt Detroit makes the playoffs. However, analysts tend to give them the benefit of the doubt because they have quality coaching, development, leadership, and total buy-in from the players. It's the same reason most pick the Preds to make the playoffs, despite the fact that they're not a very talented team - they have a track record of getting results than their roster should warrant.
Sadly, the Flames have not been one of the those 'better than the sum of its parts' teams since the Cup run. Does a new coach mean that they can turn that around? Sure. Or it might mean more churn, or a 25 game transition period. Not every team that hires a new head coach sees an immediate improvement in the standings, or any improvement at all.