A lot of players had down years last year. I think it's reasonable to expect at least marginal improvements from Tkachuk, Monahan, Andersson, and Markstrom.
Marginal improvements plus being in a weak division plus having a proven coach should lead to being comfortably in the playoffs. Probably not good enough to be true contenders but you never know. I am cautiously optimistic that the Flames will have a pretty good season and could surprise a lot of people.
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