[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I'm on the other end.

When you look at team rankings since Sutter took over the Flames were 2nd in CF%, 3rd in xGF% and 3rd in HDCF%.

They also improved into top ten in XGF60 on the PP, and xGA60 on the PK.

They had a lost year from their number one goaltender due to injury. Arguably a lost year from their number one center due to injury.

Not a heck of a lot went right last year.

That's not to say I'm in love with this team or the core ... I'm not. But I think a natural bounce back is expected from the chaos that went down last year.

Now without Giordano? That could be a step back.

And of course who knows what other changes are coming.

Based on your chaos and bounce back theory the Hawks would be early favorites to win the SC. And Dallas would be a contender. Vancouver likely didn't feel they caught a break last year either.

The Flames were 31st in Cap missing from line-up due to injuries. Every other team in the league had more missed games from more important players. Hard to track how many of the other teams players were playing below standard due to injuries like Monahan and Markstrom.