Quote:
Originally Posted by stang
I’d toss Flames in as a team that could have the wheels fall off too.
Top line underperforms again, Gio continues sliding, and Tanev isn’t a good Brodie replacement would put you guys fighting for a playoff spot.
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Even if the top line plays as poorly as last year (unlikely, IMO), the Flames are deeper at forward, deeper on defense, and are significantly better in net.
I am a big Brodie fan, but what Tanev brings is more in line with what the Flames need. Gio had an off year last year, and it is unlikely that he is even worse than that this year. Andersson is blossoming into a star. Hanifin is 24 and is substantially better when playing with Andersson than he was with Hamonic. Valimaki is a strong add. And Nestorov pushes Kylington to #7. The D is better than last year.
Overall last year, everything went as poorly as it went well the year before. The most likely situation for this year is somewhere in between. And they have more talent on top of that.
The only real risk of the wheels falling off is if they are hit with significant injuries.