Quote:
Originally Posted by Bingo
So created a database.
Looking at the last 30 years, and removing both Vegas and Seattle as they don't have enough seasons.
Grouped seasons into three categories ... Top 10 Picks (not exact, but by win % of less than .500), Mushy Middle and Contending.
The 30 NHL franchises averaged 11.3 years in the mushy middle over the 30 years. If you do a +2 / -2 there are 17 teams that have an average within this ban including the Flames.
7 teams that missed low (less mushy middle)
1. Detroit
2. San Jose
3. Jersey
4. Anaheim
5. Chicago
6. Pittsburgh
7. Tampa
Could certainly argue some success in that group.
More instances above the average within the mushy middle (more frequency in the zone that fans fear)
1. Minnesota
2. Buffalo
3. Philadelphia
4. Dallas
5. Montreal
6. Calgary
If you really want to cut up the data sample to reflect the Flames being the mushy middle team drop ten years and go with the last 20.
But at 30 years the differences are pretty tight to a 1/3 1/3 1/3 split with no major outliers.
And I'm firmly in the camp that thinks looking at 10 20 or 30 years is silly given the change in the management, and economic situations of the league.
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So, you would say that in the recent, relevant history of our franchise, we are in fact a mushy middle team?
Seems like that was exactly what I said prior to all this dissection but sure!
I agree we've had changes in management over 20 years, but overall we haven't changed course. It's been the same dogmatic "make it into the playoffs and see what happens" mantra every season- independent of management or coach. In fact we have had many debates on this board over the last 5 years about why this is- whether coaching or management is to blame, etc. Ultimately it seems to be a directive from ownership down. Bean confirmed this in a press conference last year, so I'm not even sure why we're discussing it. The feelings/whims of independent managers in the club have basically been worthless. They weren't allowed to feel certain ways. Economic situations of the league is interesting, but the league is in the best economic situation it has ever been and there's not huge evidence of change.