Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkGio
Well Elliot could still flop. He wasn't great in Ottawa and stingy systems like St. Louis' tend to inflate goalie stats. We essentially replaced Hudler with Brouwer and Russell with Jokipakka. We also lost Colborne and Jooris, assuming they are replaced them with prospects.
Hudler had chemistry with the top line during the playoff year, and Russell had Chemistry with Wideman that year. It's hard to say if Brouwer or Jokipakka can replace those guys all of a sudden. Look at Hamilton's slow start, so assuming the new faces will need to adjust. In fact, with a new coach, the whole team will need to adjust. A coach that doesn't have the best NHL record
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Jokipakka plays a tighter, safer game in his D zone than Russell. Brouwer is the definition of 200-foot player & should he play with Johnny & Mony it should tighten up their line's defensive game a well.
Our D corps may not be as good as St Louis, but with a healthy Brodie it's really not that far behind. Sure, Elliott & Johnson could flop, but it couldn't possibly get any worse than Hiller/Ramo last season. Playing in front of sieve goaltending makes everyone shaky.
A draft lottery pick is very unlikely for the Flames in 2017.
... *knocks on wood*