I can see a scenario where they miss the playoffs for sure. Any slight regression on last year's performance would likely result in the team missing the playoffs given how tight things are in the conference. It's not out of the question that one or more of Gadreau, Monahan, Hudler suffer a more trying season whether it's injury induced or simply an off year. Also the goaltending situation is highly unstable as if the Flames opt to go with a Ramo/Ortio tandem you can argue they have the less proven tandem than the Oilers. The goaltending wasn't outstanding last season but it was average or even marginally better than average. Any regression here could be disastrous as it's probably a given they aren't going to be as successful at coming back late in games as last year as things like this always seem to even out so it's important that they are leading more games going into the 3rd period and keeping the GAA as low as possible.
On the flip side if the forwards mentioned above improve on last year or at least maintain the pace and some other forwards step up with this improved defensive group it's not a stretch to think that with the similar goaltending they got last year this team could rise to a position of home ice in the first round of the playoffs.
It will be an interesting season for sure.
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