I think managing expectations is healthy, and it keeps you sane as a hockey fan.
But the Flames haven't played in 43 one goal games and rifled off a 25 game run of playoff caliber hockey by hard work alone.
It's good to see guys like Ferraro taking notice (HNIC as well, Hughson and Friedman) that the Flames cupboard isn't as bare as many thought. I think in the media an assumption is made and then the all use it, and it takes one guy to dig deeper and build the new "image" for a team.
The media is now jumping on board with the Flames system being deeper and this rebuild being further along than most figured.
Will they step back next year? Possible ... also possible they carry this culture forward and move up another couple of steps next year .. maybe be the jets, a team that has designs on a playoff spot in early March, but have the cold reality of the last ramp up send them to the sidelines by the St. Patrick's Day.
The key is the veteran group and the salary floor. They have to be so careful in how they get to that floor without damaging the culture. That's why I love the Stajan signing a lot.
Will be interesting to see what this team looks like on August 1st
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