Quote:
Originally Posted by Jason14h
And why do you think Chicago, Anahiem wont add FA's and be able to both outbid the Flames and have a more desireable location? (SJ I think is a long way off)
I actually fail to see how this team isnt bottom 5 next year. Almost all the other bottom 8 teams and younger, improving and in a better cap situation. Why would they not improve faster then the Flames?
|
I was pointing to those teams this year as examples of what bottom-feeding rosters look like. The Flames roster next season won’t be anything close to as bad.
As for next season, Anaheim will likely take a step. Chicago and SJ will still be awful, and deliberately so. They’re still in full tank mode.
Columbus will likely still be bad. I don’t see Montreal taking a big step - most of their best prospects are d-man and will take time to develop. Arizona is still not ready to make a big jump unless they take a big shot in free agency.
Then there are teams like Washington, NYI, and Minnesota who could see big drops in the standings. The Torts effect may wear off in Philly. I think the Kraken will continue to fall to earth after their surprising debut. Those are the teams the Flames will likely find itself in the mix with next season.
It’s actually pretty difficult to be a bottom five team in this league unless ownership and management are committed to tanking. And I just don’t see that happening with this franchise.
Here’s how I’d handicap next season:
Bottom tier
SJ
CHI
CBJ
MTL
SEA
Non-playoff
ANA
ARI
CGY
WAS
MIN
PHI
OTT
PIT