Flames Future: Glass Half Full or Half Empty?

[Johnny Rotten]

I haven't started a thread in a long time; usually for good reason (i.e. "Mitch Wahl"...) and this thread may also be the case.

But after reading through about the "who should be taking more heat" threads- absolutely worthwhile to discuss- I'm really starting to wonder if I'm too positive about the Flames future.

I wouldn't say that I'm a glass full type person, but I do, for the most part, think more positively about the Flames' future than not.

I'm wondering what others think specifically about their future, and what people genuinely (realistically) think is needed for the Flames to get to the next level.

For me, time and patience, are two of the greatest needs...Unlike four or five years ago, when things seemed totally dark.

[lazypucker]

Even by saying the glass is half empty is giving the Flames too much credit. The glass has already been totally dried out....

[VilleN]

Originally Posted by lazypucker

Even by saying the glass is half empty is giving the Flames too much credit. The glass has already been totally dried out....

How do you figure?

[GranteedEV]

Depends if you think Sean Monahan will miraculously develop into Patrice Bergeron or plateau into Ryan Smyth.

Since Sam Bennett is a 3rd line winger, the glass being half-full or half-empty depends on your opinion of Sean Monahan. There's no McDavid on the way, that's for sure.

[DJones]

I always thought we were going to be a bubble team this year so I'm still positive.

Monahan and Brodie are concerning but both will be fine in the long run. The over reactions on this site are hilarious. Some people sound like Oiler fans.

I really think our defense in a few years will be dominant so that's what is keeping me happy.

[MolsonInBothHands]

At the beginning of the season, I would have said the glass is 3/4 full. Now I just wonder wtf I was drinking.

[FlamesAddiction]

Is the glass half full or half empty?

I would say the short answer is no. The long answer is yes.



Honestly though, it's hard to say. I think the NHL is changing into a superstar league. For the most part, you need that one-two punch on the top line or defense pairing. Crosby-Malkin, Kane-Toews, Bergeron-2011 Chara, Kopitar-Doughty, etc...

As much as people say it's a team game, teams that win the Cup usually have at least 2 players driving the boat. Do the Flames have at least 2 skaters that would be considered top 5 among their peers? Last year, I might have said that Gio, Brodie and Gaudreau (and possibly Monahan) fit that class.

This season, I am having my doubts.

[JiriHrdina]

Half full.
Being an optimist is how I choose to live.

[ComixZone]

Half full.

We've endured what I believe to be the vast majority of the pain already. These latest daggers to the heart will be the last ones we feel for some time. I believe we're rounding the corner as an organization.

[polak]

Really hard to answer this question with any sort confidence until about this time next year.

This time next year we'll know if Monahan, Gio and Brodie's problems are a real cause for panic. We'll know if Sam Bennett has a real shot of being a top 6 guy or if maybe we should be expecting him to play a middle 6 role and the Hamilton situation will be clear too. At that point you'll really know if it's time to retool on the fly and we'll see if any of the hopefuls on the farm will be looking like impact players or more filler like we've been seeing from the farm in recent years (all of our impact players from the last 3 years skipped the AHL).

Both sides answering right now are acting on emotion. There is the blind faithful and the calling it how they see it crowd and both have their points. Next year this won't be nearly as blurry. We'll know. Either changes will need to be made or we'll see players rebound.

[DJones]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Half full.

We've endured what I believe to be the vast majority of the pain already. These final few daggers to the heart will be just that - the final few. I believe we're rounding the corner as an organization.

We're starting to look like a legit team 5 on 5.

Special teams seems like an easy fix compared to that.

[RoughRiderRowdy]

I was very optimistic going into the season. But after our start i dont think we have the players to get to the promisedland. Guys like stajan ferland bouma etc are simply "sluff". They arent good enough for us to make the playoffs and to be a cup contender. And besides gaudreau, we dont really have any elite offensive talents. Look at a team like the rangers, scoring up and down their lineup. Their 3rd line is arguably their best line. We have a lot of guys who are barely nhl regulars and wouldnt be a regular player on a contending team

[Leeman4Gilmour]

I was half full during the Young Guns Era, so yeah, at some point my delusions will become reality. Sticking with half full.

[Bingo]

holy schlep-rock is this place getting depressing!

I get the disappointment in the season, but now Sam Bennett is a middle six or third line forward?

Hockey fans are passionate and they have every right to go up and down the thermometer with the play of their team, but man it gets hard to read sometimes.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by RoughRiderRowdy

Look at a team like the rangers, scoring up and down their lineup. Their 3rd line is arguably their best line. We have a lot of guys who are barely nhl regulars and wouldnt be a regular player on a contending team

You mean like Josh Jooris who couldn't stick with this team but made the Rangers?

Right.

[Bourque's Twin]

In my opinion, the win/loss column and players' stats for this season do not accurately reflect what this team is capable of.

Monahan, Gaudreau, Bennett, Tkachuk, Ferland, Backlund, Frolik, and Backlund are all very good hockey players. Hamilton, Brodie, and Giordano are top notch defensemen.

Elliot and Johnson are very capable goalies.

I think a mixture of new coaching, Johnny's contract issues, high expectations, and bad luck on the ice have overpowered what the team is capable of.

Things will turn.

[Matt Reeeeead]

Still feel like the team is kinda in between. As young core pieces improve, I think there are veterans signed to contracts that aren't ideal on the age curve (Gio/Brouwer/Frolik). I don't think the farm pieces are going to be good enough to supplement the roster with strong depth when cap room is tight.

[RoughRiderRowdy]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

You mean like Josh Jooris who couldn't stick with this team but made the Rangers?

Right.

He is a bottom 6 depth guy. We are loaded with bottom 6 depth guys. Hence the bottom 6 in the standings. I want this team to be great! It simply isnt. Simple as that.

[Johnny Rotten]

Maybe I should have added, "Are you less/more optimistic now than you were in Reggie, Iggy, Kipper's last couple years?"

Yah, those teams won a little more (half empty), but the Flames have way more prospects now than then (half full).

[polak]

Originally Posted by Bingo

holy schlep-rock is this place getting depressing!

I get the disappointment in the season, but now Sam Bennett is a middle six or third line forward?

Hockey fans are passionate and they have every right to go up and down the thermometer with the play of their team, but man it gets hard to read sometimes.

Okay ignore where Sam Bennett was drafted.

If he continues to play like he has at this point next year, am I crazy to say that he's looking more like a middle 6 forward on a good team?