Quote:
Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald
I don't think Scorp is really making a crazy prediction. The only thing that is going to save the Flames is the fact they play in the Pacific division, which is really weak. They should be able to sneak into the 3rd slot in the division. If they can't do that, the 250 goals against predicted will certainly be in play. I personally don't see them giving up that many under Sutter, but it is possible. Markstrom should maintain his sub 3.00 GAA, but if he gets hurt, the potential for the GAA to balloon goes up. Markstrom's health is the lynchpin to that prediction having a chance IMO.
Where I see the Flames struggling is scoring. I don't see them outscoring many teams should the opposition get more than two past the Flames' goaltenders. That is where this team is going to hit a wall IMO. To keep the GAA down they will have to play a very disciplined defensive game to make up for the weak blueline. That is going to hurt the offense and keep those numbers down. The Flames will have to win a lot of games 2-1 or 3-2, because I don't see them scoring more than three goals on most nights. I see them giving up 230-235 goals (middle of the pack), but scoring 220-225 (lower third for offense).
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Yeah I'm much more worried about the offence than the defensive numbers.
With Sutter Markstrom should see less ten bell chances, and with that you'd think less chance for injury. Playing in a Sutter system should mean a bounce back for his numbers as well.
Offence worries me but not because I dislike the forwards ... I don't. They are missing that true mega star, but their depth is better than the last few seasons and there's a healthy push coming from Mangiapane (for sure) and Dube (by the looks of it).
My concern is how does the puck get to them? If the Flames (Sutter) can find a way to turn some mucking defenders into a chip and chase style that works then good. Otherwise that's a lot on the shoulders of the few (Hanifin, Tanev, Andersson and maybe Kylington/Valimaki)