What a bunch of low expectations!!!
Are the the Flames=Oilers? Are they perennial doormats? 10 years of not being contenders is enough.
Last year San Jose was definitely a SC contender, falling short by 2 wins.
They finished the regular season with 98 pts....
The 2014-15 Flames finished exactly in the San Jose slot (3rd in the Pacific) with 97 pts. They were without their captain and 2nd best player Giordano. They won a playoff series. Losing to a strong Anaheim was a growth experience; the losing needed to win.
Since then they have added
Hamilton, Frolik, Brouwer, Bennett and Elliott replacing Mason Raymond, Hudler, Jones, Colborne, Jooris , Byron and Russell.
They match up well with San Jose. If The Flames are going to make the playoffs it is quite likely that they will have beat out recent SC contenders San Jose over the regular season.
The Flames are pretty much as good as they are going to get. Maybe next year they will have a better chance with Tkachuck being able to help out in the top-9 but will have significantly less depth on defense with Engelland and Wideman needing to be replaced and Gio being another year older.... A goalie will have to be signed.
The time is now.
dare to dream.
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