I wanted to tank but love this team

[jayswin]

Stupid thread, but you can just scroll past (which no one seems to be able to0 do without commenting on this site).

I wasn't pleased with our inability to truly finish bottom five to give ourselves a chance at some superstar players as we "rebuild/retool", but putting the future vision aside, I came to realize this was a special season with this group.

I just realized after watching this team all season that my favorite three teams in the last 35 years were the '04 run team, the '15 rebuil.....playoff team and this one. What a great group of players, with amazing coaches and a team that should hold their heads up high.

- Huska and co coached wonderfully this season with the team they had
- Wolf has shown signs of being an elite goalie
- Tons of 2nd line/defensive progress on the big roster
- The understanding that our 9th overall from last year might end up being more like a top 3 - 5 Dman
- The drive to win attitude that was instilled in any player that was here this season


Really proud of the boys, truly. This was one of my favorite rosters I've cheered for. We've spent to the cap most years since it was introduced and I haven't always been a fan of the make up. This is different, and the fans at the end of the game tonight knew it too. You could tell the players knew they played well and truly appre3ciard the extended ovation at the end of the game.

[Flamescuprun2018]

I am with you.

Favorite Flames non-playoff season and it is not even close.

So many terrific games at the Dome this year. Tonight was no exception.

Culture has changed. Just need a bit more young skill added to the mix and who knows where this goes in the not too distant future!

We know for sure, goaltending will be a strength.

[FanIn80]

The only issue I have with your post is the part about Parekh ending up a top 3-5. His skating, vision and playmaking are way to good to bounce between the 2nd and 3rd pair. Especially on this team.

[Enoch Root]

I thought they meant top 3 to 5 in the league

[Dion]

Hard not to like this team. The compete level and the never give up attitude is something we haven't seen from a Flames team in quite a while. One of the more enjoyable Flames seasons for me.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I thought they meant top 3 to 5 in the league

I was wondering about that too, tbh. But those are some pretty lofty heights.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

The only issue I have with your post is the part about Parekh ending up a top 3-5. His skating, vision and playmaking are way to good to bounce between the 2nd and 3rd pair. Especially on this team.

Sorry that wasn't clear. I meant a 9OA pick ends up becoming more like a 3-5OA pick. I wouldn't say a 9thOA is looking like a top 3- 5 Dman on the Flames like it was a good thing, lol.

[Vinny01]

Frustrating end to a weird season. This team really put it together down the stretch and had a hell of a run to almost get in so it really stings they just missed out. Peak pain is having a terrible season with a late push that cost the team the 11th overall pick. This version of the team was in the mix from game 1-81 and gave up the worst pick possible without making the playoffs.

It felt like this team was built to be a bottom feeder but Wolf, Coronato, and the veteran 6 has them pushing for 96pts. I fear what this does to the rebuild so I am interested to hear from Conroy on his plan

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by jayswin

Sorry that wasn't clear. I meant a 9OA pick ends up becoming more like a 3-5OA pick. I wouldn't say a 9thOA is looking like a top 3- 5 Dman on the Flames like it was a good thing, lol.

Haha, ok yeah that makes sense.

[Locke]

This season was a blast. They fought and fought to the bitter end.

No complaints here.

But I hope they learn that points in December are just as important as points in April.

[jg13]

I was with you 100% until it was clear I think in December that Wolf was too good to allow that to happen.

I am much happier that the Flames found a franchise goalie than picking 5-10.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by jg13

I was with you 100% until it was clear I think in December that Wolf was too good to allow that to happen.

I am much happier that the Flames found a franchise goalie than picking 5-10.

The players in the 9-10 compared to what is available in the late teens early 20s probably aren't much different in this draft anyway. Make good picks

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I thought they meant top 3 to 5 in the league

I think he meant draft...as in we got our high pick

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

It felt like this team was built to be a bottom feeder but Wolf, Coronato, and the veteran 6 has them pushing for 96pts. I fear what this does to the rebuild so I am interested to hear from Conroy on his plan

I was thinking about that earlier, and was going to say something similar about hoping this doesn't trick them into thinking they're a playoff team...

But then it occured to me that we have Kadri and Huberdeau for the long haul, and if they plus Weegar, Wolf and Coronato plus a rotating cast of nightly contributors are enough to get us this close... what happens with Parekh in the mix, plus a whole season of uninjured Zary and fully healed Sharky? Frost was looking really good towards the end too.

I'm still worried about what we're gonna do if we manage to make the playoffs, but I think this team can at least get there. We really need last season's Andersson though. I don't know what happened this season, other than an undisclosed nagging injury, but he needs to bounce back.

[FireGilbert]

Was expecting a bottom five finish but this was way more fun. A chance for 41 wins with most of the losses being close games and only like 10 games where they didn’t have a chance. Literally one bounce or call away from making the dance. I’m optimistic for the future and bring on playoff hockey in 2026!

[Calgary4LIfe]

For the record, I actually do want this team to tank, and will make my usual long-winded insufferable post that nobody wants to read later, but felt that it isn't appropriate tonight as I would prefer to celebrate this team's accomplishment and overall season tonight (and until after game 82 is over and done with).


However, it is because I fricken love this team that I wish they will tank (and I have never been in favour of a tank before). Outside of a handful of posters who just want enjoy trolling and enjoy getting a rise out of people, pretty much everyone else here loves this team, regardless of what this team should do. I really don't understand the 'if you want this team to tank, you are not a fan'. This upcoming off-season is the first that I really WANT this team to tank, and it is only because I really love this damn team.


I agree with Jayswin completely - this was one hell of an enjoyable season watching a team that is extremely difficult to dislike. I know for one that the last year under Sutter, they were extremely difficult to like. What a change! '86, '89, '04, '15 and now this season are real standouts to me in terms of exceeding expectations and loving the team top to bottom. Yes, this is not a high-end team (neither was 2015), but it is a group that is really hard not to love.



If you watch sports only to see your team win championships, then you better find a different sport (hockey has too much parity) and become a fan of a team that wins things regularly (Real Madrid for instance). Following sports is so much more than winning championships, although winning championships is indeed the ultimate goal. It is seasons like we saw this year where when a team gives us a reason to cheer and makes us excited. It is almost easier cheering for rebuilding teams than it is for contending teams, as there is no pressure or expectations.. until they last too long that is.



I am personally still digesting this season. All I know is that this was definitely a hell of a ride, and many of these players and some of the plays that they were a part of will remain etched in my memory forever just like some of the players in the years I mentioned. Would have been a much better story had the Flames ended up making the playoffs of course, but it just wasn't in the cards, and I accept it. It doesn't detract from this extremely satisfying season on so many levels.

Still looking forward to game 82.

[Manhattanboy]

Very proud of this team to a man. All heart.

They deserved to be in the playoffs and would have been but for some bad breaks as noted in the other threads including STL putting up 24 points in a row I mean come on, and MIN tying it up tonight with 21 seconds to go I mean come on.

I feel awful for the guys but am very happy as a die hard Flames fan. This year was a lot of fun.

They might have done some damage in the playoffs, who knows. I don’t think it would have been 8 days and handshakes with this group.

[Andrew]

Jim Montgomery regular season coaching genius

St Louis has a deeper roster

Yes would be nice to tank

They outperformed expectations it was fun while it lasted