The flames were 10 pts above the Oilers last year and while they picked 4th they were a step above the bottom 3.
This year they lost offense in Cammy and right now Raymond is easily replacing the goals. I don't think he keeps it up but you never know? The goaltending has been upgraded bigtime which makes up for some of the lost offense.
The defense went from poor to decent. Gio is a legit #1 and this time last year that was debatable. Brodie is a legit #2 and last year that was debatable. What is also debatable now is Kris Russell might be a legit #3 when last year at this time we hoped he was an okay 5/6. Smid was a nice in season add Engellend adds some toughness and no one will miss Butler. Wideman, while it seems like he doesn't fit, is still a serviceable offensive D.
Now some probably felt that Gio-Brodie would regress where it looks like they are taking a step. The flames are keeping goals against down to less than 2.5/GM right now. With this goaltending and D this team could finish 10th in the west. 1-2 injuries they could bottom out pretty fast
|