QOTD: When will you consider this a playoff team?

[Bingo]

A lot of talk about sustainability, culture, increased skill ... the Flames have had their prospect stock boosted ... everything is coming up roses in Calgary.

The team is off to one of the best starts in the last 20 years, and is 84% likely to make the playoffs according to clubsportsstats.com

The naysayers push advanced stats like corsi and pdo as issues, and others point to not having played any of the teams from California yet.

American Thanksgiving is 9 days away, the magic litmus test from Kenny Holland. If you're in a spot by TG you're on your way. The West is getting more and more tight as teams are all winning, and contending clubs are finding their legs. The lead over the first team out right now is down to 3 points, but the Flames have finally had the games in hand from most teams worked off.

Lots to think about, and some yucky history if you have a gander at 2001-02 and 2009-10.

But when will you consider this team a playoff team? Is it TG? Xmas? Trade deadline? Or literally the last night of the regular season?

[Resolute 14]

F: When they officially qualify.

[codynw]

Somewhere between Christmas and the trade deadline. If they're still winning games by then, I'll be convinced.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

F: When they officially qualify.

Really, the only answer needed. And it's not in the poll.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Christmas. Keep in mind we are a great 2nd half team. The fact that we've played this well at the beginning of the season already has me convinced .

[Brewmaster]

Teams like Chicago, Anaheim, LA, St. Louis and San Jose get the benefit of the doubt and can can be considered playoff teams by Thanksgiving. With an underdog team like the Flames who were predicted to be near the bottom by just about every hockey analyst, it's tough to consider them a playoff team yet. Even as a fan, I'm just enjoying the ride and not letting my own expectations get high.

[Northendzone]

i am thinking that if they are still in the thick of it by game 50 - then we can start thnking more about playoffs.

bingo counter question, would making the playoffs be good for this team this year? or does it hurt them in the long term?

lower draft pick, higher expectations, bob hartley getting coach of the year?

personally, i would like to see them miss the playoffs for one more year, just so they can hopefully get one more piece that provides and impact sooner rather than later.

i also hope that whatever happens that they stay the course - i'd imagine if they are in the mix getting closer to trade deadline day, then the temptation will be strong to turn to the darkside and make a short term trade.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Get on the bus now everyone…there will be no bandwagon this year.

[Vinny01]

If they are safely in a spot at the deadline I think they make it. If they are still in the mix but on the bubble I won't believe it until they clinch

[RyZ]

Trade deadline. Especially in the west, even at the current points%, the team would barely sneak into the bottom half of the playoffs. Any dip at all puts them out. With a young team like this, this season, I won't be able to breathe a sigh of playoff relief until late in the season.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

i am thinking that if they are still in the thick of it by game 50 - then we can start thnking more about playoffs.

bingo counter question, would making the playoffs be good for this team this year? or does it hurt them in the long term?

lower draft pick, higher expectations, bob hartley getting coach of the year?

personally, i would like to see them miss the playoffs for one more year, just so they can hopefully get one more piece that provides and impact sooner rather than later.

i also hope that whatever happens that they stay the course - i'd imagine if they are in the mix getting closer to trade deadline day, then the temptation will be strong to turn to the darkside and make a short term trade.

Alberta is such a great petri dish for this question. And seeing what goes on in Edmonton, I think you take the development of young players in a good environment that has an outside chance of screwing their draft position and making the playoffs as a good thing.

The Flames are finding good young players from 2nd round picks, 4th round picks, free agent signings, all because they are stepping into a good situation.

The Oilers are sputtering despite drafting first every year because of the environment.

Take the results and enjoy 25 guys all getting better because of it.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

personally, i would like to see them miss the playoffs for one more year, just so they can hopefully get one more piece that provides and impact sooner rather than later.

If they're in the playoff mix now you can go get that impact player through free agency sooner than you could by drafting a kid. We have crazy amounts of cap space WITH some dud contracts still on this team. Yeah, we'll have to pay for our young players at some point, but until then you can go after a big name free agent like Minnesota did with Suter and Parise. Besides, the only thing we don't have in the system is an elite defenseman, and we already have 2 of the best in the game right now and for the foreseeable future.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

If they're in the playoff mix now you can go get that impact player through free agency sooner than you could by drafting a kid. We have crazy amounts of cap space WITH some dud contracts still on this team. Yeah, we'll have to pay for our young players at some point, but until then you can go after a big name free agent like Minnesota did with Suter and Parise. Besides, the only thing we don't have in the system is an elite defenseman, and we already have 2 of the best in the game right now and for the foreseeable future.

I would argue that the priority for the Flames in this draft is looking for top 6 forward talent, preferably on the RW.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

If they're in the playoff mix now you can go get that impact player through free agency sooner than you could by drafting a kid. We have crazy amounts of cap space WITH some dud contracts still on this team. Yeah, we'll have to pay for our young players at some point, but until then you can go after a big name free agent like Minnesota did with Suter and Parise. Besides, the only thing we don't have in the system is an elite defenseman, and we already have 2 of the best in the game right now and for the foreseeable future.

The draft gets you a young impact player for the long-term at a reasonable price. There's no such thing in the UFA market. Minnesota had to sign both Suter and Parise to 13 year contracts! Players of that ilk don't sign short term "placeholder" contracts. You pay big on salary or term, or both.

I honestly think that from an expectations perspective, the playoffs this year would do more harm than good. It would throw everyone's expectations out of whack, and patience from a good chunk of fans (and more importantly, the owners) would go out the window again. It would be a repeat of post-2004.

Stick to the damn plan. Draft, develop, be patient. No big-money UFAs or deadline deal trades for veterans till we are a Cup contender...not playoff contender. There is no shortcut.

[Chill Cosby]

If "a playoff team" means a team that has a realistic playoff chance: Christmas

If "a playoff team" means a team that will most certainly be in the playoffs: Last game of the regular season

I believe they'll have to fight hard in the last half to maintain what they've built, but if they're in a strong playoff position in January then I think it's definitely possible.

With the possibility of injuries and considering just how average some of the elite teams have been thus far (leading me to believe there will be an uptick in difficulty later) I think it's going to come right down to the end.

What I don't agree with is the notion that this team is simply getting lucky, or punching above it's weight class. This team may not be as good as their record, but their close, because most nights they genuinely outplay the competition. Rarely have they stolen points from a team so far (though it has happened), so I think they fall in the 10th-20th in the finale standings.

[Tron_fdc]

I'll keep saying it until we make it, but this team is better than a lot of people give them credit for.

Young, FAST, skilled players, well coached, well led, and most importantly an excellent team chemistry.

We won't contend (this year) but we will make the playoffs.

[Dr. Doom]

They've already convinced me.

They have two strong goalies, a solid D core, and scoring/depth up front.

The way Hartley has setup this team, the continuous effort level will keep up as there's enough players that will always be pushing each other up front. Thus taking away the thought of "being too young"... these guys don't have time to even think about that or they will lose opportunity. Remember there's guys coming off the IR soon too...

We just need to avoid the injury bug, that would chew at the internal competition...

[skudr248]

What RW impact player (young, dynamic) could we go after at the deadline? and what would it cost us? ... assuming were in the playoff picture

[automaton 3]

The second they qualify. I'll enjoy the ride in the meantime.

Flames have alot of good things going right now and hopefully get some healthy bodies back soon. That said, some good teams appear to be under-performing and will likely make a push.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by skudr248

What RW impact player (young, dynamic) could we go after at the deadline? and what would it cost us? ... assuming were in the playoff picture

None of them. Playoff contender does not mean Cup contender. You don't waste great assets for 2 weeks of extra hockey.