[D as in David]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Flames currently sit tied with Montreal for 8th worst in the NHL with 37 points.


Below them are Minnesota (36 pts), Buffalo (34), Columbus (32) and Ottawa (28). Ottawa seems out of reach, but somehow they still have 5 games in hand on the Flames. What makes this grouping interesting is that you can call them all "finished rebuilds" - teams that are trying to get out of the basement. Flames are competitive with this tier of teams. How many of these teams - all very close in standings - are going to be selling their #1 centre, two of their top 4 defencemen, and also possibly more players if offers present themselves? Those teams have basically all sold their old core, built a new core, and are trying to complement them now. Sure, they might sell some peripheral players that they may not re-sign, but for the most part, they are in the 'building back up' stage, not the 'tearing it down' stage.



I doubt that Anaheim has it in them to go on a run and catch the Flames, and they are likely to finish above Chicago and San Jose. The way I see it at the draft (ignoring the lottery) is:


1st overall - battle between Chicago and San Jose
3rd overall - Anaheim
4th overall - Flames
5th overall - ??



Those are the 'tiers' at this point. A prolonged losing streak or winning streak can definitely change things, but I would feel comfortable in assuming that by the end of the season, this is more or less what we see. Only the current bottom 3 teams are 'out of reach', and the rest are all trying to build up and give their fanbases some optimism for next season. There is only so many high picks you can draft before your fanbase grows impatient, and these teams need to appease their fans and sell tickets for next season. They aren't as interested in once again drafting a high pick as much as they are in showing their fanbase that they have taken a step to try and increase excitement for next season.


That's why I have those teams passing the Flames. They are close right now, plus they are the only team in that area that are going to become worse. Tanev + Hanifin out is a whole lot more turnovers. If any of the Markstrom rumours end up in fruition, then we can start having conversations about catching Anaheim - still doubt it, but no defence and no clear starter should equal falling off a cliff.

Plus, I believe the lottery (g)odds will be with us this year as long as we are in the bottom third of the league.