Quote:
Originally Posted by Wild GM
That's not how I would answer the question.
The assets were not spent on short-term rentals for 1 year. Rather they were largely spent
- To address the #1 need on the team (goaltending) that was going to otherwise prevent the team from having any chance of competing
- To bring in a guy, in the prime years of his career, as an addition to the core.
The value of those deals and the assets spent extend beyond this year. I think they were brought in to kick the window wider - but I don't think they move the Flames into the true upper echelon.
On paper do I think the Flames are one of the best 5 teams in the NHL? No.
Did I think would be securely in a playoff spot at this point? No.
When I look at the teams near and around the Flames it seems to me they all have similar talent levels and flaws.
So i'm not sure why people expected them to be way further ahead at this point. I just don't see it based on the roster assembled.
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I would agree. I understand the argument that management set the expectations but so many variable come into play when you want to talk about on paper vs on ice. Management of the Oilers, Canadians, Senators, and probably the Hawks would all say the same thing (among others but those are the obvious ones I think).
I get the road has been bumpy and probably more bumpy that anticipated so I can understand why the fans angst is higher but I felt the Flames should be in the 10-15 range this year in terms of NHL standings. Sitting 14th with games and hand and 3 points of out of the top 10 seems to me they are meeting reasonable expectations.