Quote:
Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle
So playoff hockey is the Calgary Flames, is that your point? I might be not understanding, which is totally fair (so my apologies if I'm not). But right now, the sky is falling on a team that currently sits in a playoff spot. I've been a Flames fan for a long time (as I'm sure you have as well), and I'm remembering a lot............a lot of seasons where being in the battle for a playoff spot would have seemed like a dream, and that doesn't even factor in the shift in parity we've seen in the league over the past 15 years which has made finishing 8th for example mean a lot more than it used to in the early 2000's.
Point being, this team could be free and clear in first place by 20 points and the skeptical posters would be saying none of it matters until the playoff starts, and would be picking a part the team for "how" it's playing.
I'm not a fan of what I've seen so far this year, I think changes are needed. But the calls for a burn it to the ground approach before this core, who finished first last year but massively disappointing in the playoffs, has even been given the chance to play this year out (playoffs included if we make it) says more about the fan base then it does the team.
|
Aside from a few obviously emotional responses in GT/PGTs, I've hardly seen anyone suggesting the bolded...most critics seem to have a fairly pragmatic approach IMO (focus on the next 2-3 yrs by selling unsecured assets before their values decline/expire...)
Until the team proves us wrong...we're not wrong?
What's so bad about pointing out concerning facts?
- Worst goal differential of any team in the hunt
- 25th in GF/gp; 16th in GA/gp
- 28th in GF 5V5; 19th in GA 5v5
- playoff position is largely propped up by 6-1 shootout record, and a strong pts% against ATL division teams. Barely .500 pts% against the PAC
- have barely suffered any injuries this season until now
It's great to believe that anything can happen. It's simply a matter of redirecting that mindset...anything can still happen, even if we trade Gaudreau/Brodie/Hamonic/anybody else (ie. playoff contention)...if the team folds like a cheap tent just because an important player or two is gone (be it injury or trade), that's a pretty good indication that it was never a group worth spending future assets on to chase a miracle.