Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee
This will be extremely unpopular but...
I think the best road forward is to keep as much of this group as possible.
I was one of if not the pre-eminent “blow it up” crowd earlier. In fact 2 years ago I was clamouring to blow it up. I think this team has what it takes. I really wanted to blow them up but from what I saw from Sutter onward? Yeah. We can win the Cup with this group. Yep- roast away. But I believe. Coaching change was too little too late. Fans in the building? This team can do it. Biggest major hurdle is to expect Giordano to go via Expansion Draft and that’s a massive hole to fill.
But this team? Yep, I think they have it. I know that sounds insane. You know there’s something to be said about having something to prove. Markstrom is a Stanley Cup caliber goalie. Defence admittedly needs to be addressed and more depth especially when Gio gets taken, but you got some good young forwards Johnny stepping up and I think Tkachuk returns to form with a crowd in the building. Lindholm is amazing and, yeah. I think they have it. I know this is unpopular- but one of the reasons the 2004 team did what they did was because the city believed they could and the team could feel it as well. If this city backs this group? It can work- the players are good enough.
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Yeah I’m sort of in agreement. I saw a few really good things to finish out this season. The overall defensive structure is there and the goaltender I think is there. Markstrom was just adequate for the Flames in the end this season, but I think he has the potential to be a very good #1. The Flames don’t give up much, so if the structure and pace of play stays high, then this team has the foundation for success.
I also think the new top line and the new top pairing on defense can be one of the better lines/pairings in this league and I believe they along with the new system can propel this team to at the very least, a competitive first round finish. The trick though, as it has been for years now, is to take the next step, which will require considerably better forward depth.
There is no more room for error from a management standpoint, this is it. This team has a weak asset base, so resources are low and you cannot be wrong anymore. No more Neals, no more Brouwers, no more Lazars and Raymonds and etc. Find the right guys who can actually drive play and who can take pressure off of the top line consistently. Ideally, the second line should be able to push the top line for more ice time. The 3rd and 4th lines have to be good too, no more black holes on the offensive side like a Joakim Nordstrom. Everyone skater needs to be able to contribute above the average. That’s how we get out of the middle.