I 100% agree that Tanev is a big downgrade on Brodie, and when playoff success is the goal, getting rid of the best playoff performer among defencemen definitely does weaken the team.
However, I definitely see a playoff team right now. I think Markstrom will help the Flames get a few wins, and though Rittich isn't a starter (yet anyway), that's a high-quality backup.
As for Ward - he was also not my first choice and we have all seen mistakes that he has made. However, I am giving him the benefit of the doubt this year. I am going out on a limb and assuming that he didn't have the time to properly implement the system that he wanted the Flames to play. Let's see what he does with this team and how this team responds.
I think it is a playoff team, and I think it can make some noise. Just has to all come together. I am not sure that Treliving is done adding/changing the roster either - of course there will be a couple more depth guys signed as well as PTOs that could make the team, but I will wait until preseason/start of the season to definitively state my opinion one way or the other. I like the team the way it is right now, I think Brodie is going to be a HUGE hole for this team, I think the Flames upgraded well in net, but I also think this team took a hit on depth as well.
Too early for final judgments still - at least for me.
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