How big a deal is missing the playoffs? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Cleveland Steam Whistle · 04-10-2016, 12:37 PM

In this day and age, with so much parity, what does it really mean to miss the playoffs? Does really mean the same as it did even 10 years ago? I'm not trying to be obtuse, from a fan perspective I understand just how much less fun it is to miss, and of course I understand that you can't accomplish the actual goal of a cup if you don't get in. But from a bigger picture perspective of team progression, is missing the playoffs really the indication it would have been years ago that the Flames for example aren't progressing to a contender after making it last year.

I don't think so at all. With so much parity now, the difference between this years cup winner and all teams except the Leafs and Oilers has never been smaller. D.Sutter's old adage that you really just need to get in has finally in my opinion become true. Consider this:

- 3 of this years Division regular season winners missed last season.
- One of last seasons regular season Division winners missed this year.
- Last season the defending cup champions missed, then responded this year with a #1 seed.

I'm sure there are list of other stats to give as well. Point being, as a fan it sucks to miss, but I actually think the Flames are still right on track with this rebuild and that playoff experience gained last year by our young core is going to payoff huge next time we get in!

smiggy77 · 04-10-2016, 12:40 PM

I firmly believe our objective is a Stanley cup, so missing the playoffs is a failure regardless. With that being said, knowing we are in a rebuild and on course in it makes the pill easier to swallow, but it will always be a failure.

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Sylvanfan · 04-10-2016, 01:33 PM

One playoff appearance in the last 7 years is pathetic. Obviously most of this falls on Daryl Sutter losing his marbles in 2009 and than Feasters reign of failure.

There's likely one more year of house cleaning to get the roster in shape. But they better have a 6-7 year sustained run of success to follow up what has been an awful stretch of futility.

Really outside of Edmonton who else can claim one playoff appearance in 7 seasons. Columbus, Toronto, Winnipeg/Atlanta. Not exactly flattering company to be associated with.

Cleveland Steam Whistle · 04-10-2016, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

One playoff appearance in the last 7 years is pathetic. Obviously most of this falls on Daryl Sutter losing his marbles in 2009 and than Feasters reign of failure.

There's likely one more year of house cleaning to get the roster in shape. But they better have a 6-7 year sustained run of success to follow up what has been an awful stretch of futility.

Really outside of Edmonton who else can claim one playoff appearance in 7 seasons. Columbus, Toronto, Winnipeg/Atlanta. Not exactly flattering company to be associated with.

I don't disagree with your big picture / organizational thoughts. It's been rough time for the Flames as an Org. since 2009. But really, getting upset about things that happened before this team acknowledged the rebuild was needed and took a new direction isn't really worth thinking about at this point.

For example, deciding missing this year isn't acceptable because 7 years ago the team made some bad decisions and missed a bunch isn't logical. Missing this year is no more or less acceptable because of what happened back then. Missing this year should only really be evaluated on what it means to the rebuild and new direction of this club, which started 3 years ago. Given most of your young players improved this year, and just how thin the line is between making and missing, while disappointing, I'm not too worried on what this season means big picture.

Cali Panthers Fan · 04-10-2016, 01:47 PM

Thanks to the OP for finding some perspective in all this. I agree to some extent that it's not the worst thing in the world, and that good teams miss the playoffs all the time. I don't think that's the case this year, but there are many years where that's the case.

While I don't think missing the playoffs the odd year is that bad, missing the playoffs regularly IS bad, and it shows that a team isn't doing the things it needs to in order to become a perennial playoff calibre club. With the parity in the league, it shouldn't take a very long time to make the playoffs. There are opportunities for clubs to build quickly and become legitimate contenders.

I cite the example of both the Dallas Stars and the Florida Panthers. The Stars were in the group of "decent, but not good enough" for years and years, and the Panthers were perennially in the basement. A few good drafts, some shrewd free agent signings and trades, and all of a sudden both teams are division winners with a legitimate chance at the cup. Point is, you have to be active if you're going to get better, which is why teams like Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montreal, Colorado etc. have been such a disappointment. These teams largely stood pat in the off-season, or signed guys that were no better than place-holders. Status quo for a team often means a slow death. This is why I'm hoping Treliving makes significant moves in the off-season to address the serious areas of weakness on this team. The good news is, if anyone can do it, Brad can.

Sylvanfan · 04-10-2016, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

I don't disagree with your big picture / organizational thoughts. It's been rough time for the Flames as an Org. since 2009. But really, getting upset about things that happened before this team acknowledged the rebuild was needed and took a new direction isn't really worth thinking about at this point.

For example, deciding missing this year isn't acceptable because 7 years ago the team made some bad decisions and missed a bunch isn't logical. Missing this year is no more or less acceptable because of what happened back then. Missing this year should only really be evaluated on what it means to the rebuild and new direction of this club, which started 3 years ago. Given most of your young players improved this year, and just how thin the line is between making and missing, while disappointing, I'm not too worried on what this season means big picture.

The thing is that I think too often the focus is on Edmonton or Toronto and how bad they are. In the grand scheme missing the playoffs this year isn't that surprising when you consider what Treliving inherited for a roster. I mean David Jones and Dennis Wideman at the top of your salary structure....

I am disappointed how much the team regressed this year. They end up 3 points ahead of what the 13-14 team was. To me that's pretty disappointing.

This summer we start to see the roster restructure itself in that the best players will be the highest paid guys, and once Wideman, Smid, and Raymond are gone it will cleanse things considerably.

But if this isn't an 87-88 point team next year, Hartley should be gone. Ultimately I want to see a really good team who has a long run of high level play to show for the poor on ice product from the past few seasons. I get that being impatient will only make things worse. But I do feel that there needs to be some accountability for the debacle that this season was.

*edit worse than I thought...equal to the 13-14 team. Look at that roster compared to this one. No reason for the team to be this bad in my opinion.*

FBI · 04-10-2016, 02:08 PM

I'm ok with missing the playoffs this year AS LONG AS we get in next year and start building a powerhouse / contender for years after that.

Locke · 04-10-2016, 02:14 PM

In my opinion, at this juncture it isnt that big a deal.

Making the playoffs is a step towards the goal of contending to win a cup and at the moment all roads to Glory run through Anaheim, Los Angeles and Chicago.

If this Flames team had made the playoffs they're getting stopped cold by all 3 of those teams.

Grow, build, and allow those teams to decline and age. This season its not really a big deal, next season would be disappointing but not critical but not making it the season after that would be an under-achievement.

Dion · 04-10-2016, 02:15 PM

Oiler fans have no clue what it's like to be in the playoffs.

memphusk · 04-10-2016, 02:15 PM

Depends on what team you are. The Oilers don't care if they ever make it.

Dion · 04-10-2016, 02:17 PM

Fans will be patient if they see there is a plan in place for long sustained growth. Good drafting and development is the key.

landshark · 04-10-2016, 02:23 PM

Isn't this a team that just finished year 2 of a 5 year rebuild plan? Looking good if you ask me... A goal of making the playoffs next year is perfectly reasonable I think, but this year was a bit much to ask.

White Out 403 · 04-10-2016, 02:29 PM

it sucks. however, there's a lot of hope for both of our teams and fanbases.

Erick Estrada · 04-10-2016, 02:31 PM

It's a disappointment given last season's progress but when you consider it's really year three of the rebuild not surprising that they missed the playoffs. My biggest disappointment is that they played worse in season 3 than the first year of the rebuild as that season they simply didn't have the horses to score goals but this season they could score goals but were pretty sloppy for a good portion of the 82 game schedule. In addition to improved goaltending the team game and special teams need to be cleaned up and it's not far fetched that this team could rebound next season.

GranteedEV · 04-10-2016, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by landshark

Isn't this a team that just finished year 2 of a 5 year rebuild plan?

Well, going by drafts since the Iginla Trade:
1) 2013
2) 2014
3) 2015
4) 2016 <-- in June
5) 2017

We will have completed the fourth of five rebuild years soon.

So I expect to be a legitimate playoff team in 2017-18. If we're a bubble playoff team in 2016-17, cool, otherwise it is what it is.

Flames Draft Watcher · 04-10-2016, 02:40 PM

Unlucky year all around. Unlucky that Brodie was injured to start. Unlucky that all 3 goalies started the season horribad. Unlucky that the Brodie injury happened at the same time as Giordano was rusty which happened at the same time as Hamilton struggling which happened at the same time as the goalies struggling. All that snowballed and the season was lost a month in.

Given that the season was almost a write off at the very beginning I think the rest of it played out quite well for the long term. Bennett got in a solid year of development including a move back to centre. Hamilton bounced back after a rough start and looks well on his way now. Jokipakka, Nakladal and Wotherspoon impressed to the extent that Wideman is completely expendable now and we can replace Russell from within. Gaudreau didn't suffer a sophomore jinx and has developed into one of the most dangerous players in the league. Monahan struggled for the first half the season but rebounded nicely in the 2nd half and looks back on track. Backlund took another step forward and has become one of our most important players. Frolik proved to be a solid signing.

And now as a reward for that crap season we get to draft top 7 in a draft that is at least 10-12 high end players deep and thus we get to add another key puzzle piece.

When you take the long term view it is my opinion that in the last 20 years we've never been closer to being a perennial contender as we are now. The Flames have never had as many valuable young assets and pieces as they have now. The Flames haven't had as competent a GM/coach combo since the early Sutter dual role era.

The future is bright. The rebuild is going swimmingly IMO. We're only a few pieces and some development time away from being a perennial contender. I've never been more excited about the long term future of the Flames. We have some of the best young talent in the league in Gaudreau, Bennett, Monahan, Brodie, Hamilton plus our picks and prospects.

It sucks we missed the playoffs but this team is very well positioned to move forward. I'd expect a huge bounce back year next year and I'd be shocked if we have to talk about top 10 picks for the next 5 years. Treliving has a wealth of assets at his disposal to fix our immediate and long term needs. The asset accumulation phase of the last 3 years was a success.

Mister Yamoto · 04-10-2016, 02:57 PM

Missing the playoffs is no big deal.

Making the playoffs is a really big deal.

Hackey · 04-10-2016, 03:08 PM

I have no issue with missing the playoffs when I know the organization is in good hands and moving in the right direction. We have a wealth of young talent and a great GM. A bit of patience doesn't bother me because ultimately the only thing I really care about is a cup. Those years with Feaster where we were delaying the rebuild and the team was a mess were BY FAR the worst years as a fan for me. This is so refreshing compared to that I am perfectly fine with how things are going including this season. Making the playoffs is irrelevant to me if you don't have a legit chance to win. I think this team is on the verge of being able to actually contend. We just need to be smart, have a bit of luck, and give it a bit of time. I see us competing for a cup in the near future and that to me is the most important thing.

Geeoff · 04-10-2016, 03:27 PM

It sucks. Last year was a lot of fun and unfortunately, the Flames took a step back this year.

At least we'll get a nice prospect to add to the cupboard!

Flashpoint · 04-10-2016, 03:39 PM

Last year dramatically exceeded expectations. Had we missed last year this season would have been less disappointing.

It really does seem at this point that if we are able to add a middling or better NHL goalie to the team, we're probably in the post season. Our top 6 forwards and top 3 defensemen are solid, and we've seen a number of younger players who can take spots on the bottom half of the roster.

For a rebuild, things seem to be going according to plan.