Quote:
Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina
As for the mushy middle, just because the Flames finished at 96 points last season, doesn't mean they don't take a step back this year. There are a lot of things that could go wrong, or just not as well.
I still think this team naturally finds itself in a position for higher picks. I thought they were a bottom 5 team last season (was wrong), but there is a lot of year over year variability for teams like this in the NHL.
Bottom 5 is not out of the question for me.
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I think it comes down to goaltending. Last season, Wolf started 53 games and Vladar started 29. I think the numbers will be similar next year, but Wolf will likely face tougher opponents.
The games against the top teams were pretty evenly split last season, but I expect Wolf will get a much higher percentage of those games next year and the backup will get more games against the lower-level teams.
I don't think it even requires Wolf to have a sophomore slump or anything, just tougher opponents. Combine that with a backup who is less proven than Vladar, and I don't think a 20 point drop in the standings is out of the question, which would put them in top-5 pick territory.