Are the flames a true cup contender?

[Flaming Horse]

Take off the homer glasses for a minute, stop listening to the media and other fans that don't have a clue. Do you guys think this team the way it is currently constructed can make it into the playoffs and have a good playoff run. Their are some holes at forward but most teams have some holes. For me the most important part is that they have to play with structure, pace,pressure the puck hard and check well. Denying zone entries and taking away the neutral zone will be key against the Avs and Greasers.They have the personnel but for me they have to play the right way to have success. A team game. For me one of the X factors is Mangiapane. He needs to get at least 25. Be a big part of the team because of the other uncertainties in the top six. Namely Dube and Toffoli. The rest of the top six should be fine. Let me know what you guys think.

[Sofa GM]

I think the Flames will have a hard time generating enough offense to be a true contender. I think we are a true top 6 player away though from truly being a contender

[Jiri Hrdina]

Good topic but when you start off your post with:

"Take off the homer glasses for a minute, stop listening to the media and other fans that don't have a clue. "

I have no desire to engage.

[Heavy Jack]

Yes

[AustinL_NHL]

Extra top-9 RW aside...

A 1-3 centre core that can match most, if not any team in the league (arguably best 3C in the NHL).

A 1-6 D-core that I would arguably take over any other in the league (although missing a superstar presence).

A Vezina-finalist goaltender.

A Hall-of-Fame coach who's all business and still thinks he owes Calgary a debt.

Answer: yes.

[Jay Random]

Looking around the league, I don't see an obvious favourite this year. Tampa and Colorado have lost significant pieces, Florida blew themselves up to get Tkachuk, Boston is squeezing the last ounce of juice out of some really old key players, Minnesota is in the ninth circle of cap hell. And you can never count on Toronto to get past the first round. The only opponents that worry me at present are St. Louis and Carolina.

I'd say the Flames are firmly in the top tier of teams, but there are so many teams in that tier that it doesn't mean a whole lot. They're one contender out of about eight or nine.

Oh, and I agree with Jiri. You can take your ‘homer glasses’ snark and blow it out your bugle.

[Moneyhands23]

I think we are as close now as we have been in 20 years.

We probably have the best chance next year tho

[Reggie Dunlop]

It's only a matter of how many now.

[Finger Cookin]

Maybe!

[EVERLAST]

As long as Darryl Sutter is here we have a chance.

When we desperately hire someone to call coach that coach can't coach and we waste another year cheating all of our players out of a year of developing into something better .

I'm glad we have an executive that has learned from his mistakes and put in some serious work this off-season to cover his butt . He's now in my mind a top league executive who now also deserves an extension.

I'm glad as well Darryl spelled it out for players not wanting to commit to anything here....go elsewhwere !!!

I'm glad the narrative is changing. I'm glad top players are here wanting to be in Calgary. This is a desirable market to be in when you get past the BS you hear about taxes , our crumbling building and Gary Bs hate of everything Calgary .

IF ? Big IF? We can stay healthy and keep the cupboards stocked in preparation for those injuries we win.

The mantra that is carried forward matters. Don't get to high anD don't get too low is what I'm talking about.

82 games . Lots of ups and downs to manage with expectations. As a fan since 1980 I've seen a ton in this league , on this team and right now I've never been more excited.

22/23 bring it!!!

GO FLAMES GO

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

on paper / credentials says yes. on the ice it's hard to say . you never know if the right ingredients will always translate on the whole

they should be nipping at Colorado heels but they also should have stomped the Oilers . hockey comes down to momentum and head games in the playoffs and thats why pres trophies rarely come with Stanley cups

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

how about this .. I will confidently say I think they are a better playoff team now than they were before

[tony-soprano]

Without a top RW, no.

[Ferarri]

I also have concerns about the offence moving forward. The pre-season didn't show a lot of chemistry for the top two lines so I hope they can get into a rhythm once the real games get going. Agree that the priority needs to be to try and gain another legit top 6 forward. If we address that hole then I think we have a good chance of going on a deep run.

Regardless, I do think we will be competitive (maybe even better than last year) and given the players that left in the off-season that is a huge accomplishment. I'm just excited to have a talented roster to watch. Never a fan of doing a re-build so I am very satisfied with what we have. Hoping for a bit of luck and with coach Sutter you know the work ethic won't be an issue.

Let's get this season going....Go Flames!

[Mass_nerder]

I want to believe, but being a fan for 30+ years has really beaten any serious thoughts of winning the cup right out of me.
I think we have a good, but not great team. There's really only one significant hole (RW1), but I think a lot also hinges on if/how long it will take for chemistry to develop with our top 2 lines.

[Manhattanboy]

Kinda funny, followed everything that’s gone on but I haven’t watched a minute of the pre-season. Nor am I all that familiar with our new guys.

So I need 10 or 15 games to get a handle on things.

So really looking forward to the start of the season. Will be different! I will have to buy a program.

[jar_e]

I will feel infinitely more comfortable with our path after seeing what type of Markstrom we get early on in the season. I really hope he’s not mentally fragile after the way last season ended.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Put me in the maybe camp. Still a lot to prove IMO. I don't think the scoring will be there (hope to eat crow) and we need one more proven finisher. We still have to see if there is any chemistry on the blueline with the changes. I also have concerns with Markstrom and hope he doesn't go full Tommy Salo on us after a real thrashing in the post-season. So far there are more question marks than there are certainties. I think we'll find out in the first 20 games. If the team struggles, no, we're not a contender and need that all important addition, and PDQ. If the team picks up where it did last regular season, then I think we're a contender without adding anything. Anything added will be a bonus after the fact.

[Burning Beard]

They finally have centre depth that can compete with any team. I can't remember the last time I can say that. RW will be fine over time. Also even if scoring is down a bit it just means less 6-1 games like last season. Hope the chemistry gels fast and we have another great season to watch.

Plus Sutter signed an extension! That has to light a fire under this team.

[Flaming Horse]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Good topic but when you start off your post with:

"Take off the homer glasses for a minute, stop listening to the media and other fans that don't have a clue. "

I have no desire to engage.

You did just engage though.You even had help.