On the contender issue: I think that's premature. Promising pieces are certainly in place, but the Flames need to show they can play dominant hockey for long periods of time, and that includes the regular season. Usually the teams that play well in the regular season are well poised to continue that success in the playoffs. I think we saw signs of that with the Flames this year.
Once the team starts showing division leading type hockey and are generally considered a shoe in for home ice advantage, then we can say they are reaching contender status.
I've always hated the make the playoffs and pray for a run mentality. I hope the team learns to play well all the time.
__________________
A few weeks after crashing head-first into the boards (denting his helmet and being unable to move for a little while) following a hit from behind by Bob Errey, the Calgary Flames player explains:
"I was like Christ, lying on my back, with my arms outstretched, crucified"
-- Frank Musil - Early January 1994
|