Quote:
Originally Posted by Enoch Root
That's the thing - as soon as a team has success, fans label their players as great. I have already stated my thoughts on Eichel and Stone, but Marchessault, Chandler, Karlsson and Smith are not elite. They are solid depth.
Again, your entire argument is demonstrating that Vegas has the most depth in the NHL - on that we agree. What drives me nuts is people look at players like that and then claim the Flames' players - Huberdeau, Lindholm, Toffoli, Kadri, Backlund, Mangiapane - are talentless and not good enough. These players are every bit as good as the Vegas guys. And our defense has more depth than most teams as well.
Our problem isn't a lack of talent, it's that we need MORE good players. And that's why cap management is so important, and such a problem for Canadian teams. If you have to overpay for your players, it becomes even harder to accumulate enough depth.
The Oilers certainly have the talent, but they are unable to build the depth.
The Flames have a very deep team, but they are a couple solid players short. That's their problem. It isn't that their players suck (which seems to be the prevailing viewpoint around here these days). Add a Marchessault and a Karlsson to the team, and we the Flames are serious contenders too.
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Yes all 6 players I named are not elite. But that's why I said you need elite with depth. I would put Eichel and Pietrangelo in the elite category. Are they McDavid and Makar? No, but I still think they are legit number 1 center and dman in the league. Stone is debatable elite. The other guys are very strong depth. Karlsson and Smith are very strong 3rd liners. The ability for their 3 pairs to each carry a line is huge.
Flames lack a number 1 dman. Lindholm is not a true number 1 center to me but you can argue that. But if he leaves, that's a big hole. And the Flames don't have the luxury of time to fill these holes. Their window is immediate which is why I think trying to bet on this group has a really low probability of success. Playoffs sure but a real run basically everything would need to go right.
Basically they need to find out Hanifin and Lindholms plans and address that. If those guys leave I think it's over for this group. If they stay you can see how they perform with a new coach but you also risk not cashing in on them as well which hurts moving forward. The Flames have done that a lot already.