Quote:
Originally Posted by Badgers Nose
Flames don't need Kessel. Sad that Friedman is trolling now.
Everything Flames need is already in their system.
RW Poirier
D Wotherspoon
G Ortio
They are not elite, but I think they will win spots and earn progressively more ice time until Poirier is a solid 2/3 RW and Wotherspoon takes the #4 spot (pushing Wideman to 3rd pair PP specialist).
Flames elite upgrade will be Bennett. Between him and Poirier I think there is 30-35 net positive goals versus guys they will push down the depth chart.
And lots more good stuff is coming soon. There are good farm players that can fill in when injuries hit.
With Bennett and Gio in the lineup they will start the year a better team than they were at the end of 2014/5, which is saying something.
Much like last off season I think there are a lot fans nervous about being too optimistic. But I think we'll know by December that this team is for real.
I also expect the Avs to fight Calgary for position right to the wire. Last year was an anomaly for them.
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While I don't think Kessel is the answer, the Flames are far far away from having everything they need in the system IMO.
The Flames are missing a bonnafied 2nd scoring line, even with Bennett in the line up, he needs more consistent support. Poirier is a long way from proving he's for sure an NHL player, let alone a top 6 forward, so I don't think we should be taking that to the bank. They will improve up front as our key players mature and get closer to their primes, but I wouldn't say everything the Flames need to be a contender up front is in the system.
On the back end, same thing. Depth through the organization is weak. We need another top 4 D man IMO and I don't think we have one right now "in the system". Not to mention, 2 of our current top 4 are dangerously close to regression age (Wideman and Gio) with only one of them (Brodie) a player we should expect to improve in leaps and bounds.
In net, I'm also feeling good about Ortio being the long term solution, but it is a funny position.
So, if we look and say, realistically, the core of Monahan, Gaudreau, Bennett, Brodie and Ortio are set to be ready for cup contention in 2-3 years, I'm not sure we have what we need "in the system" at the moment to compliment them into being true cup contenders. You have to think at that point, Gio and Wideman (if still around) will be worse. Maybe Poirier is the answer as a complimentary player, but are we really confident we have the forwards in our system to round out the top 6 and 9 with what we've got?
Lot's can change in 2 to 3 years as we found out this year, but I'm not so convinced we are going to be continuously surprised by our prospects exceeding expectations the way we have the past couple of years. Flames need to add to their roster and prospect cupboards with assets we currently don't have if we want to target the rebuild being over and being a legit cup contender even 3 years down the road IMO.