Which teams have the most pressure this season? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

EYE_Overstand · 09-30-2013, 11:59 PM

So what teams have the most pressure to perform? As in get off to a good start right away before they start making some changes? When they need a quick top 9 forward?
When they will sacrifice youth for short term gains?
Needs to dump salary?
Who have accumulated enough picks in the past few years that a 2-3rd round picks can be expendable? Etc etc

The teams that come to mind that have the Most Pressure to get out to a good start:

NYR-Phi-Vancouver-MTL-Minny-Washington-Toronto- even the Peg

dissentowner · 10-01-2013, 04:52 AM

The Canucks. The window has closed fast on them.

evman150 · 10-01-2013, 05:32 AM

Canucks are running out of time. But then again, expectations for them are not super high.

I'd say the Flames have the 30th most pressure in the league this season.

Lanny_McDonald · 10-01-2013, 06:14 AM

Montreal - always a fishbowl and have to prove last season wasn't a fluke. SPOILER ALERT: It was.

Toronto - see Montreal.

Vancouver - their window has turned into a peephole.

Edmonton - all thosel picks have to start paying off, especially with they huge contracts.

Philadelphia - their fans want a winner and nothing else will suffice.

Boston Iginlas - was the investment worth it? Will the team accept a guy that doesn't play the 200 foot game?

TurdFerguson · 10-01-2013, 07:09 AM

Lots of pressure on the flames to suck there way to the #1 pick.

Please, this time, if you're going to do it - do it right.

Erick Estrada · 10-01-2013, 07:20 AM

I think the Jets like most Canadian teams (except the Flames of course) probably have a lot of pressure to make the playoffs this season as they seem muddled in that 9-12 conference positioning and you have to wonder if that's as good as the current group is. The move to the West certainly didn't help their chances.

Mango · 10-01-2013, 07:43 AM

Toronto sticks out like a sore thumb. They'll really have make everyone forget about the recent meltdown of epic proportions or it'll be referenced as frequently as "1967".

And I think Ottawa's leadership group will feel under pressure to show everyone they are okay without Alfredsson. Personally, I think they'll do just fine, but I think Spezza does have some weight on his shoulders.

Vinny01 · 10-01-2013, 07:48 AM

In terms of Canadian teams all but Calgary are under huge pressure

Van- can they still compete for a cup with this aging core? They are staring a rebuild in the face in a couple years
Edm- it is time to move forward and get out of the basement. Expectations to be competing for a playoff spot all year no top 10 pick
Wpg- honeymoon is over, the core is locked up and it is time to make a move to the playoffs
Tor- prove last year was not a fluke (horrible puck possession and a high shooting % have some believing the leafs will miss this year)
Mtl- always pressure to win
Ott- some say they are Canada's best shot at a cup but I just don't see them with as much pressure perhaps because they are still a young team that has been getting results?

American teams with the most pressure are Washington and the Rangers IMO. Pitt, Chi, LA, Bos are all expected to be elite and if one struggles then the pressure will be on. Especially Boston who made some very significant changes in the offseason replacing younger Seguin with Eriksson and younger Horton with Iginla

HartAttack · 10-01-2013, 07:50 AM

Panthers, for sure.

Table 5 · 10-01-2013, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by New Era

Boston Iginlas - was the investment worth it? Will the team accept a guy that doesn't play the 200 foot game?

I'm not sure it's really that big of an investment. They are paying him $1.8, with it going up to $6 million in games/performance bonuses. But if he hits all those targets to make 6, clearly he's made some impact.

Either way, I doubt expectations are sky high. I don't think Iginla is that much of a factor anymore...he's a veteran presence there to complement, not a core guy the B's count on for leading this team.

EYE_Overstand · 10-01-2013, 08:19 AM

What about who has the most pressure internally? Coaches, teammates, GM etc?

I would say:

GM: Mike Gillies and SJs

Within the Team: LA Kings + EDM + TO (brutal way to lose last year) + PHI (no playoffs I believe)

Coaches: The Jets Coach always seems to look like he has high blood pressure... SJs coach... And MTLs coach... Was it really him that led that team to such a good season?

EYE_Overstand · 10-01-2013, 08:27 AM

I guess you can add Vancouver to the internal pressure list to

Red · 10-01-2013, 08:31 AM

Vancouver in the west. New coach to put them over the top, the goalie controversy over(?) and still seen as a contender.
Gillis needs success to keep his job.

Sainters7 · 10-01-2013, 08:39 AM

With that roster and continuous premature exits, I'd have to say Pittsburgh's gotta be feeling the heat to get a Cup. Fans/media seemed to be getting on them a bit after getting swept in the East final.

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Grimbl420 · 10-01-2013, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Table 5

I'm not sure it's really that big investment. They are paying him $1.8, with it going up to $6 million in games/performance bonuses. But if he hits all those targets to make 6, clearly he's made some impact.

He gets $3.7 million at 10 games played, so unless they bench him all year his salary is effectively $5.5 million. So I'd say expectations are high for him.

Table 5 · 10-01-2013, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grimbl420

He gets $3.7 million at 10 games played, so unless they bench him all year his salary is effectively $5.5 million. So I'd say expectations are high for him.

Money aside, I just don't think the Bruins will succeed or fail based on Iginlas play. They are too deep of a team to have to rely on a 36 year old. I think Iggy is there in the same capacity Jagr was last year.

SportsJunky · 10-01-2013, 09:08 AM

San Jose has one last shot at it this year with their aging core. Thornton, Marleau and Boyle are all UFAs at the end of this season. We will see a drastically different team in the next year or two in San Jose. If they want to win with this group then this is the year they need to make the run.

bubbsy · 10-01-2013, 09:17 AM

teams with pressure to get results quickly or risk big change:
- Vancouver
- Pittsburgh
- New York Rangers
- Philadelphia

- maybe Edmonton if they're isn't a drastic improvement this year.

i think these are the teams likely to make major changes in roster/coaching/management should they not make some noise this year.

EYE_Overstand · 10-01-2013, 09:21 AM

It's crazy that marleau-Thornton-Boyle out this year (potentially) but they already have pavalski - Couture- burns - and vlasic locked long term

stemit14 · 10-01-2013, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Table 5

I'm not sure it's really that big of an investment. They are paying him $1.8, with it going up to $6 million in games/performance bonuses. But if he hits all those targets to make 6, clearly he's made some impact.

Either way, I doubt expectations are sky high. I don't think Iginla is that much of a factor anymore...he's a veteran presence there to complement, not a core guy the B's count on for leading this team.

Guarantee iginla will lead the bruins in goals. He will be a big part of this team