Will the flames make the playoffs next year?

[flamesforcup]

Hi everyone just wanted to know what everyones thoughts are on next year. What are your expectations next year and what do u think would have to happen in the offseason for us to make it next year.

[Roof-Daddy]

Well, I hope so, but there are way too many things that can change between now and the start of next season to even try to predict this.

Draft
Free agency
Trades?
What if someone gets hurt at the Worlds?
Who do we draft, Matthews or someone way down at 8-10th?

[Mike F]

[Mony]

I voted no but I've flip-flopped between yes and no since I voted.

So many different variables. The Flames likely aren't truly as bad as they were this year. Maybe depends on who they draft. The defencemen aren't as bad as they presented themselves earlier into the 2015-16 season.

[dissentowner]

Too early. Let's revisit this in August

[Yanda]

until we get a goalie, not a chance.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

We don't even know who will be on the team next year. Or other teams for that matter.

Impossible to answer.

[hockey.modern]

If the Flames can solve the following, then they have a good chance IMO to make the show again:

1. Solve their goaltending woes
2. Find a top-6 winger (draft and/or free agency)
3. Not a real concern but if they can deal one of these players from each category below and bring up some young assets that are ready.

Forwards:
Raymond, Bollig, Stajan

Defence:
Smid, Wideman, Engelland

If the Flames luck out and draft first overall, meanwhile trade a player or two from the category above, the Flames could be a scary team. One can dream of:

Gaudreau-Monahan-X
Bennett-Matthews?-Lucic?
Colborne-Backlund-Frolik
Bouma-Stajan-Ferland

Brodie-Hamilton
Gio-Engelland
Joki-Nakladal

Reimer?
Ortio

[Caged Great]

If the Flames get at a minimum an average starter + Russell replacement + 2 top nine forwards, then yes, easily.

If they fail to get one or all of those things, then they will be anywhere from a bubble team to a bottom feeder.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

I think so. Assuming Gaudreau, Monahan, Giordano, Brodie, Frolik and Backlund maintain, Hamilton and Bennett improve, and an AVERAGE goalie is acquired. If all those things happen, I think this team is a lock for 95+ points.

The special teams will sort themselves out if all that occurs IMO.

A UFA RW would go a long, long way as well. As would an impact rookie. Maybe an impact rookie RW?

[Huntingwhale]

Unless the team improves their PK, PP, goaltending, secondary scoring and defensive play, playoffs are a pipe-dream. I think having a solid #1G will do wonders for the team's confidence. But if their are question marks in net yet again, I don't see them making it.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

We don't even know who will be on the team next year. Or other teams for that matter.

Impossible to answer.

It is fun to speculate though. This team did make the playoffs last year, and most of the good parts of that team will be back. You can pretty much assume that BT will address the goaltending in some way. The only question is what else will he do? I think it's going to be an incredibly exciting summer for Flames fans.

[Inferno]

If they get a decent goalie then yes. There's no doubt in my mind the team's defensive play will be fine with reliable goaltending.

[Two Fivenagame]

[CalgaryFan1988]

Since we don't know what the roster will be, too premature. Only answer right now is "no" IMO.

[Dion]

[PugnaciousIntern]

I hope they do obviously, but it will require a big change in net and some semblance of depth on the RW

[Heavy Jack]

I think we could.

I think Nak, wotherspoon and Jokipakka all make next years D with Spooner being the 7th man.

Retain trade/Buyout Wideman and Stajan. Either or but we save at least 7 mill if we do either of these options for both these guys.

Bury Raymond and Bollig. No offence but bye.

Sign Gaudreau 7 years x 7.5 mill
Sign Monahan 7 years x 6.25 mill
Sign Lucic 5 years x 5.75 mill
Sign Colborne 2 years x 1.5 mill
Sign Nakladal 1 year x 1.1 mill
Sign Wotherspoon 2 years x 900 k

Draft Puljujarvi (my personal hope)

Sign Ramo 1 year 3.5 mill
Sign Ortio 2 years 900 k
Go with

Gaudreau - Monahan - Lucic
Ferland - Bennett - Puljujarvi
Colborne - Backlund - Frolik
Bouma - Jankowski - Hathaway/F.Hamilton

Giordano - Brodie
Jokipakka - D. Hamilton
Nakladal - Engelland
Wotherspoon

Ramo
Ortio

[DJones]

Keep on seeing colborne for under two million. How confident is everyone for that? Seems cheap to me.

But I think we will fight for 3rd in the Pacific but probably fall short. 50-50 that means playoffs

[Lanny_McDonald]

Not with the current team. Three glaring holes to be filled. They do that we can revisit this question. Without addressing those needs, not a chance.