The Flames on paper last season were a division loser, but not a wild card team. They didn't get it done.
On paper this year I think they're slightly better, not division winner necessarily but by roster they should be battling for home ice in the first round.
I concur on Smith concerns as they don't have a developed backup plan, but I'm good with the experiments on the blueline given how much they've bolstered their forward group.
In a salary cap world you can't fix everything, his transfer of balance to the forward group was pretty astute in adding Hanifin while getting a forward and not just gutting the blueline out right.
|