Quote:
Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina
Here's my overall POV.
Things I like
- The roster is more aligned to how Darryl Sutter wants the team to play. If you are going to have him as a head coach you need to give him a squad he can work with
- I'm confident Tkachuk will be much better this year and he looked good in the pre-season
- I'm also confident Markstrom will have a better season and early returns (pre-season) are good with Vladar. Might have something there
- If Monahan IS healthy that's a big add back too in terms of a productive (even 25 goals) guy up the middle
- I think Coleman is going to be a strong add.
Things I do not like
- The defense is going to be worse without Gio unless Hanifin takes a big step. Which he might. But then you need someone else to take a big step behind him (Rasmus?)
- Not a fan of Gudbranson being on the team
- I'm also not a fan of Ritchie being around, though hopefully he's the 13th forward and not a regular day guy
- I'm just kinda tired with the forward group and yearning for bigger changes there
- Overall I don't think this team matches up well with teams that have truly elite players. The Flames simply do not have an upper tier of "best players" to match up.
I think this team can make the playoffs and if they do - I would not count out any group led by the old farmer. If they falter, I hope they used the TDL to make some tough decisions about the team and use it as an opportunity for a larger re-shaping.
I would say my emotion heading in is not excitement but more intrigued.
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I would add the whole Gaudreau situation is fascinating. Frankly I hope he shows a level we haven’t seen before and earns a monster contract. But what’s more likely is that the team finds itself in a major dilemma approaching the deadline. In playoff contention with their most dynamic and popular player unsigned.
I’m excited about the games. If they disappoint it will be time to point fingers and lay blame. If they win, watching the games will be all the reward required.