Burnside from ESPN picks 5 teams out to get back in for 2017

[Bingo]

and Calgary is first on his list (may not be ranked)

http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/15...-playoffs-2017

[habernac]

They never really recovered offensively from the long-term loss of Mike Cammalleri up front

Is this a case of a guy who works out too hard and just wears out his body? Or is he made of glass? The guy hasn't been healthy in years it seems.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Good article. I expect the Flames and Sabres to make some serious strides. Two of the best young teams in the NHL.

[Bingo]

Not so from Kevin Allen.

Flames not even in the top ten for moving up
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports...eafs/82712178/

[Bingo]

Gary Lawless from TSN has Calgary and Montreal back in

http://www.tsn.ca/canadian-teams-and...ility-1.465033

[Senator Clay Davis]

Just glad to see he didn't do something like predict the Oilers in the playoffs.

[Hockey Fan #751]

Hilarious how nobody even considers Edmonton as a possibility. Don't blame them, but it's still funny.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Not so from Kevin Allen.

Flames not even in the top ten for moving up
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports...eafs/82712178/

This one is weird because he wrote "Here is a ranking of the non-playoff teams' chances of competing for the playoffs in 2016-17:" He didn't say here are the top 10 teams with a chance to make it next year.

I'm not even sure if it is supposed to be a top 10 list. I feel like he literally just forgot the other 4 teams. Or just doesn't care.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Not so from Kevin Allen.

Flames not even in the top ten for moving up
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports...eafs/82712178/

The fact that he has Toronto and Winnipeg ahead of Calgary is enough to completely disregard the entire article. I will be shocked if Toronto isn't drafting top 3-5 in 2017. Winnipeg could be good, if all of their young prospects develop as expected. Losing Ladd is huge, combined with Stempniak and Frolik, their forward ranks have taken a huge blow when compared to their playoff team. They will need Hellebuyck to play like a true #1 for an entire season and not flame out like he did this year. There is a lot of 'ifs' with Winnipeg, they remind me more of the Colombus Blue Jackets circa 2005-2009 than they do an actual up and comer. Lots of promise, but wake me up when it translates into anything.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Hockey Fan #751

Hilarious how nobody even considers Edmonton as a possibility. Don't blame them, but it's still funny.

oh just wait until they inevitably win the lottery and get to draft Matthews. Then all of the failure will be forgotten and you'll read and hear from all the talking heads how good they're going to be. It's going to be all "Just wait, it's not a question of when they win a cup, but how many!" yet again. Until they inevitably crash and burn again because, you know, they're the Oilers. Freaking groundhog day.

[Erick Estrada]

Really when you look at the bottom 5 or 6 teams the Flames and Jets are the only two teams that count as disappointments as both teams made the playoffs last season and have the personnel to be better than what they are except in the net. It's been a complete tire fire in Calgary and the Jets have often received goaltending that's merely average at best and pretty shoddy the rest of the time. I like the Flames changes of better addressing the position in the offseason as money isn't going to be a factor for the Flames and I expect the Jets to be conservative as they normally do and come back with essentially the same goaltenders next season.

[undercoverbrother]

Until I know a journalist's take on Mullteville, I can't take them seriously.

[Vinny01]

Before the start of last year the Flames were in the McDavid race. Start of this year they were a playoff team. Good to see many have them viewing this year as the one off rather than last. Having Gaudreau elevate to superstar, Monahan continue to improve, Bennett showing signs of being one heel of a player and even Backlund/Colborne looking like good pieces up front. The top 3 D on this team is undeniably good and in the case of Brodie and Hamilton they still can get better

A goaltender is desperately needed

[Lanny_McDonald]

Allen isn't very bright. He's suggesting 7 teams roll over in the east? Not reasonable.

[White Out 403]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Really when you look at the bottom 5 or 6 teams the Flames and Jets are the only two teams that count as disappointments as both teams made the playoffs last season and have the personnel to be better than what they are except in the net. It's been a complete tire fire in Calgary and the Jets have often received goaltending that's merely average at best and pretty shoddy the rest of the time. I like the Flames changes of better addressing the position in the offseason as money isn't going to be a factor for the Flames and I expect the Jets to be conservative as they normally do and come back with essentially the same goaltenders next season.

Disagree, Connor Hellebuyck will be given every chance to be the #1 guy. I also see them not re-signing Hutch.

Will that be enough? God I hope so but doubt it. Mark Stuart isn't just bad, he's statistically the worst penalty killer in the NHL and a total tire fire with his possession metrics.

If Hellebuyck plays average and Stuart is either gone or bottom pairing, I can see Winnipeg making it. Lots of ifs though.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by habernac

They never really recovered offensively from the long-term loss of Mike Cammalleri up front

What?

10th in goals this year.

6th in goals last year.

[Jason14h]

Trout read the article....

New Jersey Devils

The Devils hung around longer than expected this season. They never really recovered offensively from the long-term loss of Mike Cammalleri up front and then took a hit when All-Star goalie Cory Schneider got banged up.