[browna]

As this is easily going to be a lightning rod thread on a lot of subjects...the biggest reason for this team being where they are is Markstrom.

He doesnt turn into a pumpkin in Game 1 vs the Oilers, which carried through the series after he went toe to toe with Ottinger:
1) The Flames beat the Oilers that year. Who knows how it goes the next round in the WCF but mission accomplished beating the Oilers.
2) His pumpkin performance goes all the way through the next season. Huberdeau could have exactly zero more points that season under Sutter but if Markstrom was a slightly below average statstical goalie that year, the Flames win probably 5 more games easily and make the playoffs. Then who knows, Florida had less points and made it to the Finals.

Treliving may well have still gone to take the Leafs job, but the Flames getting to R3 and at least the playoffs the next year, means the changes are not so drastic..Sutter could still be in charge and all that goes with that..and that's all thanks to Markstrom completely disentegrating from May 2022 to April 2023.