Quote:
Originally Posted by ricardodw
Jokinen was the best UFA centre summer of 2012 after playing under Sutter: 23 goals 61 pts. He changed coaches and is close to being bought out. 45 games 7 goals 14 pts .
Somehow Sutter kept this group of misfits within a couple of wins of making the playoffs.... Hartley came in and despite Stajan and Stempniak having their great years and their careers basically saved AND Hudler and Bouwmeester playing so great and yet the Flames have the worst year in Franchise history...
Frankly it wouldn't be a successful season if Stajan scores 50 goals and puts up 100 pts and Stempniak puts in 35 goals and the Flames finish 24th again.
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Depending on your point of view. I know many fans consider anything less than a cup win a "failure" for the season but I am accepting of the fact that this year is going to be pretty brutal for the Flames. No Iginla, no Kipper, no Bouwmeester. Those are a lot of big shoes to fill and the additions that we made are not exactly comparable (yet).
Anyway, in my mind it would be a success for the Flames to be able to showcase their rental players for the trade deadline. The team can continue to sit in the basement (or not) but it would really help us get better assets at the deadline if guys like Stajan, Cammalleri and Stempniak all had excellent individual season. Give them loads of PP time and lots of chances to pad their stats and hope that it turns into first round picks and blue chip prospects.
For me, that would be a success and if last season was any indication I think Hartley can pull it off.