I know it's been said before a bunch of times but everything about this flames team reminds me of the path the Blackhawks took to becoming contenders. Even the fast ascension from lottery team to contender.
Not saying the flames are necessarily there yet (but they might be)... But I remember the hype building around the Blackhawks when the flames faced them in 2009. They made it through a couple rounds but couldn't best the powerhouse red wings who were the class of the league at the time. But the writing was on the wall that the hawks were going to be even more ready to pass that test the next season. They were already considered a favourite to contend in the west in 2010. Could see the same thing happen with the flames with how the team is built and how much momentum they have as an organization.
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