Quote:
Originally Posted by GioforPM
Does it feel like GG's second year to you? Coming off a pretty decent regular season and a pummeling by the Ducks, and the Flames were in and out of the PO picture and just not getting their act together, and were 18-16-4 on Dec. 29. The only big run was a 7 game streak from Dec. 31-Jan. 14 that put them into the hunt at 25-16-4 as of Jan. 14 (they are 23-17-5 right now). Then they just collapsed.
If it does, what can they do to avoid the same finish? Or should they embrace and enhance the collapse (but this time have a draft pick to show for it)?
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The Johnny/Sean core has made the playoffs three times since 2014-15, and this is the first season they've had anything resembling reliable goaltending situation. I know they've not been perfect, but I think they got about as far as you could reasonably expect from tandems of Hiller/Ramo, Elliot/Johnson, and Old Man Mike Smith.
This is a playoff team. I don't think there should be any debate about that. They have two very good lines, they have an excellent blue line featuring the reigning Norris trophy winner, and two good goalies.
This is the exact sort of team that only needs to get into the playoffs, and even with their struggles, I think it's an unsuccessful season if they don't get to at least round two. This is a good group.
They may flounder out, it's probably not their year, but it's not acceptable to entertain selling anything right now. I don't know how much anyone believes in Arizona, but there's a very reasonable chance that we draw the Oilers in the first round. I'm still bitter we didn't get that in 2006.