Quote:
Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist
I'm excited about Gaudreau, but in not sure you can tell much from the first game. Lots left to see which has me in agony waiting for next season.
I could maybe see a sniff at playoff spot though
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A little early to be throwing out hopes of the post season. A few intangibles that need addressing first.
- one single player in Johnny Gaudreau isn't a meal ticket into the playoffs, he hasn't adopted the Flames' system play and he's very much still a lightweight. aka leg strength.
- Ramo has to stay healthy, and the Flames have no guaranteed backup to take the load if he's injured again.
- the team will need a higher caliber UFA or two to bolster the roster.
- dead weight such as Jones, one could argue Wideman, or even Galiardi would need to be shed.
- if Cammy may happen to walk, much of the Flames offense will have walked with him.
I'm sure there's more, and the shopping list is long. I don't expect the Flames to do much better next season. That key piece or two Burke seems to want to bring in to every team he builds hasn't been acquired.
The Flames work hard, but a lack of pure offensive talent may be what's holding this team back for a few more seasons. I'd temper expectations of any whiff of a playoff spot for another year or two.