Quote:
Originally Posted by cannon7
I had higher hopes last summer about the Flames competitiveness than I do this summer but that was based on a few assumptions that didn't really pan out. I thought that Hudler and Hiller/Ramo would at the very least remain close to their 14/15 play, obviously that didn't happen. I expected Giordano to need time for his play to bounce back as his injury was pretty serious, but I under estimated the effect that would have on the team and over estimated the immediate impact that Hamilton would have -- both had similarly rocky starts to the season. All the above kind of left the Flames in quite a hole after ~25 games and it took them well into 2016 to get to .500 hockey.
This summer I'm looking at the roster and seeing a lot of holes. I can only hope that Elliott brings stability between the pipes and that Brouwer brings a much needed element to the Flames' top six. But even so, I still think the Flames are missing a top six RW and possibly a top six LW (assuming Tkachuk needs to ripen). Bennett needs quality lines mates, Johnny/Sean need an RW who at the very least won't get in their way (assuming that's Brouwer for now). Barring more trades I just don't think it is realistic to expect anyone from the Flames' prospect pool to just step into the Flames top six. Have high hopes for the likes of Tkachuk and Jankowski but I still am very uncertain about how competitive the Flames forward corps will be this upcoming season.
On the blueline things look a bit better, if the Flames can get a full season of solid play from Giordano and Hamilton that will help a lot.
|
The good news is that the Flames' holes used to be on D depth and down the middle and in goal. I'm much less concerned about a lack of winger depth.