Quote:
Originally Posted by TheScorpion
I like the Flames' chances to win a round or two this year.
I don't see any Colorados in the Pacific and even then I'm not convinced last year wasn't a fluke.
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IMO winning a round all rides on the "Big 5" forwards.
Gaudreau: 0.6 PPG
Monahan: 0.65 PPG
Lindholm: 0.4 PPG
Tkachuk: 0.33 PPG
Backlund: 0.4 PPG
That is the career PPG for our core forwards in the playoffs, and frankly you're not going to win many series with that type of production from your top 6. So it needs to be better.
I actually think our depth pieces (Ryan, Mangiapane, Dube, Lucic, Bennett,etc) will be fine come the playoffs and play playoff style hockey. Need the improvement from the top 6.
In terms of improvement I think the biggest change to the roster is just in overall depth and improvement from our defensive depth.
This year:
Brodie
Giordano
Hanifin
Andersson
Hamonic ( if he can return)
Forbort
Gustaffsson
Valimaki (if he can return)
Kylington
Stone
Last Year (Players who played a playoff game):
Giordano
Brodie
Hamonic
Hanifin
Andersson
Valimaki
Fantenberg
The younger players (Andersson, Hanifin) have one more year of experience, and the team has way more options and flexibility on defense. So if there is an advantage YoY I think the defensive depth, and experience are way better.