There are never two identical teams to winning a cup. The Flames aren't going to match up perfectly to the LA Kings under Darryl Sutter. They aren't going to match up perfectly to the Chicago Blackhawks, or St. Louis Blues, or Tampa Bay Lightning..
Do they have the right mix to win? I think they do.
What the Flames haven't done yet is play as a team. They played as a team with that commitment to winning under Hartley for a while, and I would say that team greatly overachieved. However, they were a pretty crappy team all things considered in terms of depth and experience.
Do they have it now? I think there are obviously better groups out there, but you don't have to be the best team on paper. You just have to be a good team on paper, that is the best team on the ice, and I think the Flames can be that.
The greatest issue with this team over the last few seasons has been inadequate coaching to take them to the next step. I think this team is as ready as it will be. You can compare the pieces the Flames have versus other winning teams (and why has no one replicated the '89 team???), but there isn't two teams that necessarily match up perfectly. I really do believe that this team has the pieces to win, but they need great coaching, that willingness to do whatever it takes to win and play as a team, and some luck (injuries and bounces that you can't really control). I like the chances this team has. Far from guaranteed, and not even among the teams that are thought of as contenders, but this can be a plucky group that can surprise you with some speed and toughness, and might absolutely shock you if they can all get on the same page.
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