The more I think about this, the more I'm leaning towards being okay with the Flames being in that play-in loser lottery.
Normally being in the playoff bubble / first round fodder section of the NHL standings is a frustrating place to be in. 0-3% odds of a Stanley Cup, 0-3% odds of a top 3 draft pick.
I don't think there were any Flames fans down the stretch saying "I'd rather have those 2 percent odds at a top 3 draft pick over playoff hockey". Because in all likelihood, theres a 98 percent chance we would get the 14th overall pick and no playoffs. A lose-lose.
This year is now different. 12.5% odds of the first overall pick is better than any of the play-in teams Stanley Cup odds.
To add to that, from a fan perspective, this Stanley Cup has a lot less value. Nobody's working downtown. No C of Red. A limited Red Mile. No fans booing Bettman. No Stanley Cup parade. From an achievement standpoint, there is no asterisk next to this years cup (in my opinion). There is a huge asterisk from a fan experience perspective.
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