[Steve Bozek]

Unless Dube and Mangiapane improve over last year, the forwards are not going to be as good as last year. Huberdeau and Kadri are not an improvement over Tkachuk and Gaudreau (and a healthier Monahan). Although coming off career seasons their age suggests Kadri and Huberdeau are not going to be building on last year’s season. Consequently, I think offense is going to be weaker this season.

On the other hand, Weegar strengthens the defence a bit over Gudbranson, but apart from the injuries (especially Tanev’s) during the playoffs, the defence last year was excellent, so I don’t see a slightly improved defence making up for what I see as a decline in the production by the forwards.

I’m still not completely sold on Markstrom, but if Vladar improves over last year, maybe the goalies will carry the Flames to a division win - a fairly big “if”.

Hate to be a pessimist, but that’s the way I see it.