Quote:
Originally Posted by Ziggy Lidstrom
Flames have to play .615 hockey to make the playoffs.
They are at 32 points. To make the playoffs the threshold is 95/96. Flames need to make up 63/64 points in the remaining schedule. That’s 52 games to make 64 points. Can it happen? Sure. Will it happen with this group? Time will tell. I’m losing faith as I don’t see synergy or growth.
I see vladar playing better. I see zadorov playing well. I see dube gaining more confidence in his skill set. I see Tanev as the same warrior with worse injury luck. I see Lewis as the consummate pro he’s been since he arrived.
I see Rosie blossoming.
What I don’t see is quality shot chances. I’m reminded of the Tampa game. We outshot them but Cooper said he’d happily have their shots vs ours. This team isn’t making life difficult for the opposing groups.
I’m not seeing Huberdeau have any chemistry with any of our players. I’m seeing kadri look inconsistent. I’m seeing mangiapane not as effective.
I’m not seeing lindholm as a number one center.
I’m not seeing weegar as a number one dman.
I’m not seeing hanifin being better in his own zone or a more lethal offensive option.
I’m not seeing markstrom inspire his team despite his occasional deft play.
I’m not seeing sutter adjust his strategy to suit his team.
I think this squad will not have the chops to make it to that 96 mark but will probably make it close enough to for the chance to miss out on the draft lottery.
The team has good assets to trade if they go that way and engage a rebuild/retool. Trading futures to shore up this group is a mistake imo.
I will continue to watch this group because they are the only major ticket in town. They have been my team since 94 and I’m too stubborn to watch other hockey this fanatically. I will remember the iggy and kipper times fondly but they are almost a lifetime ago now.
This version of the flames isn’t going deep in the playoffs. That’s even if they make it. So do people want to be moderately entertained or do they want a shot at glory for their team? I want glory. I want the flames to catch the oilers in championships. But so far the oil have more and they have two top players that are closer to widening the championship gap than seeing it narrow.
I know BT had to pivot after his top line bolted but I just feel his plans have been undermined by bad chemistry and insufficient deployment. I think sutter is out of touch with this team. I think the game has passed Darryl by. People saying this team is like his LA version are missing out on the stud pieces they had there. We don’t have a HOF dominant center. We don’t have a Norris winning dman. We don’t have a game breaking goalie.
We are a hodgepodge of misfit toys. I will still watch and come here to check on the pulse of the fan base. Until that gap betwixt us and the oil tilts more to even I will be tough act to inspire.
I’m not optimistic. I’m not pessimistic. I’m waiting for signs of life.
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Logged in to thank. Spot on. It's difficult being a die hard of this team. Glory and generational talent isn't something I've ever seen from this team. Maybe one day, hopefully before I die.