I think it all comes down to expectations.
Flames are probably just slightly better than analysts assumed they would be.
They are much higher in their prospect pool than what analysts said they were, however, and it is showing with so much young blood stepping in and doing well.
However, they are way above expectations in being competitive. Without looking, they probably blew out more teams than they have been blown out this season. They are involved in a league-leading number of 1-goal games. They play (for the most part) a full 60 minute game night in and night out.
In my opinion, they are much further ahead than what most on here except the most optimistic of posters hoped for. They are still not 'good', but they are not "Edmonton not good" levels for sure.
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