Quote:
Originally Posted by Weitz
The problem with your opinion is you assume for some reason the Oilers regress and the the flames progress. With nothing to back up the opinion.
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Lets see. In this thread I have mentioned that they already face a bigger injury loss in Sekera before the season started and chances are they won't be as fortunate on the injury front. They going to overpay for Russell? If not their defense group looks like it's taking a major step back. I mentioned they won't get the same cupcake schedule as last season. I mentioned that high expectations are a burden (many teams coming off unexpected seasons regress the following season under higher expectations) and that teams will not take the Oilers lightly. I also mentioned the Oilers rely on Talbot far too much as a team that wins most nights based on a goaltender stealing games typically gets shown up as a fraud (see Montreal Canadiens).
In regards to the Flames even if they don't make progress and end up with 95 points that's probably going to be good enough to be neck and neck or ahead of the Oilers. That said they will be coming into training camp knowing the system unlike last season where it took three months to get Hartley hockey out of their system and play a more responsible style. Also the Flames received below average goaltending last season and still finished only two wins behind the Oilers. Also Monahan and Gaudreau struggled offensively for the first half of the season switching to a new system. Chances are that they start the season much better. It's pretty reasonable to expect if the Flames receive just average NHL goaltending they should be as good or better than last season.
You happy? It's my opinion. You don't have to agree just as if you said you think the Oilers are a lock for another 100 point season I would disagree.