LeBrun: NHL execs say Calgary is the Canadian team with the best shot at the cup

[sureLoss]

Paywall article. All 8 NHL execs say the Flames over the Leafs and Oilers

https://theathletic.com/3271145/2022...shared_article

A clean sweep.

The Flames were easily the popular selection for Canada’s best shot at the Cup among these front-office executives. Markstrom’s goaltending is clearly a deciding factor there, as is the depth and balance up front, and Sutter’s coaching. And the path in front of them in the West.

I will say I am surprised not even one single executive picked the Leafs although team exec No. 7 did say he actually liked their team the most on paper but had to pick Calgary because of the playoff path ahead of each team.

[Scorch]

Don’t blame them. Eastern conference is stacked this year with cup contenders and the Flames looks to have the easier path

[transplant99]

Interesting.

I know that personally in 89 i was expecting the Flames to win it all.

In 04....well that kind of came out of no where and was happy enough when they beat the Canucks in round 1.

This year I sure dont expect them to win it all or in fact to even get out of the West as long as that Colorado/St. Louis gauntlet remains alive, but wont be overly surprised if they do either. This is a really good hockey team that plays the right way.

Gonna be a fun ride though...cant wait.

[Vinny01]

I know some people hate mega threads but I see a decent opportunity to have a “media loves the Flames” thread because I do think we will be a popular pick to win it all this year by many on the TSN/SN panels.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Hockey experts are in consensus: Calgary Flames are a runaway locomotive bound for Stanley Cup victory.

[BLOCKEDCAT]

Even NHL brass know C=G and E=NG

[Patek23]

LOL @ the one exec saying that maybe one of our defencemen would crack the top 4 of Tampa or Colorado. Tanev, Andersson and Hanifin would all crack that top 4. Come on now.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Flaming Homer

LOL @ the one exec saying that maybe one of our defencemen would crack the top 4 of Tampa or Colorado. Tanev, Andersson and Hanifin would all crack that top 4. Come on now.

The Flames don't have the highly offensive #1 d-man like Makar or Hedman, but the Flames make up for that with extremely solid depth and team play. There's a reason the Flames have fewer goals against and a better goal differential than either of those teams.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by blankall

The Flames don't have the highly offensive #1 d-man like Makar or Hedman, but the Flames make up for that with extremely solid depth and team play. There's a reason the Flames have fewer goals against and a better goal differential than either of those teams.

Anderson has 48pts and Hanifin 46. Tough to say these guys wouldn’t be top 4 on 2 teams but whatever we are lucky to have a top pair of 25 year olds signed for under $5M for multiple seasons after this

[Classic_Sniper]

I’m not surprised that the front office executives chose the Flames as the team is built for playoff. The roster construction looks very much like the last 2 finalists in Tampa and Montreal. Big, heavy defensemen, smaller skilled forwards and a #1 goaltender.

So, this team definitely seems to have the recipe to go deep. But being long time Flames fans, we still have to be weary of disappointment though. For me personally, I’m not taking anything for granted, I want the easiest first round match up.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Interesting.

I know that personally in 89 i was expecting the Flames to win it all.

In 04....well that kind of came out of no where and was happy enough when they beat the Canucks in round 1.

This year I sure dont expect them to win it all or in fact to even get out of the West as long as that Colorado/St. Louis gauntlet remains alive, but wont be overly surprised if they do either. This is a really good hockey team that plays the right way.

Gonna be a fun ride though...cant wait.

Kuemper will crumple under the playoff pressure. Flames win easily.