The biggest reasons this team isn't a bottom-2 team (in my opinion) are:
-Collective work ethic (probably attributed to Hartley)
-Team chemistry (or call it dressing room 'closeness')
-Mark Giordano
-Big improvements from guys like Byron, Backlund, and Brodie.
Will it continue, or improve, next season? Maybe, maybe not. But I don't see the team becoming a legitimate contender without some high end skill, both defensive and offensive. The next two drafts are obviously key, as well as the development of current prospects and young players.
Go Flames Go!
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