[robaur]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

So last year you had a lot of close games, including
Ramo and Berra finding their way, often inelegantly, plus a bunch of Joey Mac
Gio stepping up as new captain but missing several games, and the team really hurting without him
Monahan as a rookie getting exposed to the NHL and also missing some time hurt
Backlund struggling early and finding his place at the end of the year
Cammalleri wasting everybody's time prior to the deadline
Butler providing a large number of minutes but never really clearing the crease all that well

So if all works out, with more experience and higher quality goaltending, hopefully healthy Gio, Monahan more assertive, experienced, and 15 pounds heavier, Backlund picking up where he left off (meaning potentially 2 actual top 6 centres!) and a full season (hopefully) of slippery Johnny Gaudreau on the wing over the outgoing short guy who was disengaged for 2/3 of the year, and a guy like Engelland that can match Butler for defensive effectiveness while deterring opposition in other ways...

Not to mention that Wideman can produce on the PP when healthy...

A lot of these things could see the Flames being successful in quite a few more tight games, of which they had a lot.

Plus, there are mid season adjustments to help improve.

Kudos to Wardo. I don't see the Flames as cellar dwellers. Big leap to playoffs with lots of quality teams in the West but I can see how the Flames, if things go right, are easily in the 7-10 mix over 11-14

can i have some of this kool-aid that you're drinking?

Jesus could not get this team into playoff contention.