Quote:
Originally Posted by Erick Estrada
Eric Duhatschek on 960 this afternoon said that he believes there will be only a small handfull of teams out of it by the deadline due to the abbreviated schedule and that there may me much more buyers than sellers. Said if the Flames lose another few games and win maybe 2 of the first 10 and plod along after that they could capitalize on a big sellers market if they choose. Would be a great draft to pick up multiple picks in the first two rounds and end up with a good quantity of quality young players. Just the type of springboard this franchise could use to accelerate the rebuilding.
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I fully agree with Duhatschek theory of "more buyers than sellers" at the deadline. I don't think the flames will be out of it by then. This team has more talent then years past. Iggy while yes has had slow starts to the season, has actually looked way better then past starts to other seasons. I believe we are going to see Iggy start scoring and scoring a lot. Kipper will be better, they are going to keep on starting him until he gets better. The flames will probably be well below the .500 mark come ten games , but like years past will get on a run. Teams are already starting to go to "back up goaltending" mode when playing the flames. That is how the last couple of seasons "runs" started. I don't think they will make the playoffs, mainly because of the defensive play, but will not be far enough out of it come the deadline.
My biggest fear is that Calgary will be a buyer at the deadline if they are in the mix or even 4- 5 points out of it. Prices will be high, but ownership really wants to re-sign Iggy and make the playoffs. God knows what they would give up to get to their mandate, but i could see Gaudreau traded just for the chance to sneak in.
The flames really need ownership to accept the fact that this team needs to go in a new direction. Unfortunately they need a brick dropped on their head to realise this. I have a bad feeling that the brick will not be dropped this season.