Quote:
Originally Posted by stemit14
I don't think the flames will be as bad as everyone seems to assume at this point. I'm not saying they will make the playoffs but combining the work ethic this team has developed, a healthy year from giordano, the likely continued progression of backlund, Brodie, Monahan, colborne, and other young players... Plus the improvements in goaltending... And the skill one of the rookies should possibly bring to the team... This all leads me to believe the flames improve this year.
I know cammalleri is a loss in terms of scoring but I believe the additions of backlund, Raymond, setoguchi, and gaudreau/baertschi will make up for it combined.
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I agree with you. However, you are failing to take into consideration that every other team will see similar improvements, thus they mostly cancel each other out. If anything, other teams in the West have gotten considerably better. St Louis got Statsny, Dallas got Spezza, Anaheim got Kesler, Chicago got Richards, Minnesota got Vanek and Vancouver got Miller. LA also added Gaborik at the end of last season.
You need to add genuine game breaking talent in order to make serious strides, and that isn't something Calgary has done. They will finish in a similar position as last year, if history has taught us anything.
They'll still be a hard-working, entertaining group to watch, and the kids will get plenty of call-ups as injuries mount, so it's all good.