Your 2014/2015 Calgary Flames - Better or Worse?

[djsFlames]

If it was this difficult to crack the top 3 in a weaker draft year, with one of the worst and most inexperienced roster on paper for a few stretches, then I can't imagine the ####show it'll be next year. There's probably be a handful of teams that go Buffalo bad after the deadline next year. We can't compete with that as long as we have that hard work mentality.

[edslunch]

Worse. So many one goal games - they won't win as many of those next year

[Hackey]

Those who think all our prospects are going to somehow carry us to a much better finish or that were the only hard working team in the NHL will likely be dissapointed. I expect the team to perform similar to this year. Could be slightly better or slightly worse. All in all though I don't expect a big swing in either direction. This is going to take some time.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by Hackey

Those who think all our prospects are going to somehow carry us to a much better finish or that were the only hard working team in the NHL will likely be dissapointed. I expect the team to perform similar to this year. Could be slightly better or slightly worse. All in all though I don't expect a big swing in either direction. This is going to take some time.

Couple the work rate Hartley has instilled with the influx of talent in the last 12 months (which is nothing short of spectacular) and I think the Flames improve. Monahan & Colborne are legit NHLers now & have an entire season of experience to draw on. Brodie has emerged as a legit 1st pairing defenceman. Granlund, Baertschi, Reinhart & Knight should push to make the team & Gaudreau, Poirier & Wotherspoon shouldn't be too far behind. Ramo has (mostly) looked like a capable starter & Ortio waits in the wings.

If we could upgrade Glencross, Jones & Wideman (or manage to get them to play to their full potential) then we could be in the mix for a wildcard playoff spot. I sincerely doubt we draft top 5 next year, anyway.

[trublmaker]

we get better edmonton will still be no good

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by edslunch

Worse. So many one goal games - they won't win as many of those next year

One goal games can go either way. I feel that we will have about 40+ one goal games again next year, and still win most of them.

Hartley makes the Flames play their butts off until the game is over. Also, our kids now have an NHL year on their belt with some with more games, and some with just samples.

[Robbob]

I think they overachieved this year for sure. They need to be careful not to go full oiler and dress 15 first year/rookies. I think they progress and play more to their level which will put them somewhere around 4th -7th last. I think with the right players this rebuild is probably a year closer then I initially thought (3 to 4 versus 4 to 5).

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

Originally Posted by Table 5

I really hope that's not the attitude the Flames have, because that's what leads to panic trades and mortgaging the future. There will be ups and downs for a couple of seasons yet...and I think that's ok.

This summer, If I'm Burke (or the new GM):

DOs:

• Listen to the scouts at the Draft and realize they seem to have some positive moment.
• Look to trade for young defensemen. Ideally someone in their early 20s who has some development time behind him, but is stuck in the AHL or behind a depth on another team. Try to do so by leveraging vets or B-level prospects, not guys like Sven.
• Bring in a veteran to replace Cammy's leadership and skill. Someone will need to be the go-to guy next year, and I don't see Glencross being that guy.
• Hoard draft picks as much as possible. Be extremely protective of the ones we already have in the 1-3rd round range.
• Sign character UFAs who can offer a teaching opportunity to kids, and who ideally might be Trade-deadline bait.
• See if there is a way to acquire a big, but talented, young (under 23) forward who can fit in on the top 2 lines. This (or a relatively proven great dman) is the only guy I would consider trading a Sven-level prospect for.
• Decide if Ramo will be #1 or split with Ortio. If Ramo is #1, bring in an calming-presence backup who will be a team player (ie, Jamie Mclennan type).

DON'Ts:

• Do not get myopic at the draft and only focus on size.
• Do not trade the farm for James Reimer.
• Do not trade the farm for some forward in his prime.
• Do not trade the farm for Shea Webber.
• Do not sign UFAs with character issues.
• Do not trade for a guy just because he is big. He must be good too.

I think you are being a bit paranoid to think looking to improve = panic trades.

I pretty much agree with your do and don't list. Burke should be able to pull some of that off, and it would make the team better. Not leaps and bounds better and things might still go south when the season plays out, but better.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by edslunch

Worse. So many one goal games - they won't win as many of those next year

They had (if I'm counting right) 49 one-goal games and won 25 of them, so you can't really say they were exceptionally lucky. I'd be more concerned with the number of shootout wins. That will be hard to repeat.

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by Table 5

DOs:

• Sign character UFAs who can offer a teaching opportunity to kids, and who ideally might be Trade-deadline bait.

DON'Ts:

• Do not trade the farm for James Reimer.
• Do not sign UFAs with character issues.

These are the critical ones for me. Based on Burke's comments today, I think he's pleased with Ramo and that alleviates my concern about picking up Reimer.

Keeping the positive vibes in the locker room and leadership for the young guys is key. Taking a flyer on a Russian with prima donna attitude or a skilled guy looking to get paid that won't buy in.

Flames have been drafting well and showing plenty of patience the past season and a half. Trying to take a short cut or sacrificing any future potential for present solutions would be awful.

[Roof-Daddy]

So barring Ortio coming to camp and stealing the starting NHL job from Ramo, and barring injury, it's looking like Ramo is 99% the starter in CGY and Ortio 99% the starter on the farm.

Who do you think will be the back up on the Flames?

FYI, "The Monster" is scheduled to be a UFA, and his numbers in DET aren't terrible really....plus he obviously has past history with Burke.

[$ven27]

As it stands right now, worse. But, I don't think we'll draft any lower then we are this year. Too many teams next year will be going all out for McDavid.

[OzSome]

We lost a lot of players due to injuries this season plus we played a lot of young guys and we still did well as far as I am concerned. Those injured players will hopefully be back full-time and the young guys have more experience and more confident after this season so I say we will be better.

[Scoreface]

Yeah there is no 'Our 2014/15 Flames' team yet. Too many moving pieces here which leads to meaningless discussion. Defer to training camp.

/ Thread for now. Lets focus on the draft for now.

[Dion]

It will be interesting to see what Burke does to get the Flames to the cap floor.

[BACKCHECK!!!]

On the ice: the team will be about the same, maybe a little bit worse.

In the standings: the team will definitely finish higher.

Next year will be a SUCKNADO of terrible hockey, as every non-playoff team tanks for McDavid.

Any team that honestly tries to win their games will finish 25th or better.

I predict next year will be a complete disgrace for the NHL. It will be so bad that, in combination with Edmonton being Edmonton, will force the league to reform the draft system.

[BACKCHECK!!!]

On the ice: the team will be about the same, maybe a little bit worse.

In the standings: the team will definitely finish higher.

Next year will be a SUCKNADO of terrible hockey, as every non-playoff team tanks for McDavid.

Any team that honestly tries to win their games will finish 25th or better.

I predict next year will be a complete disgrace for the NHL. It will be so bad that, in combination with Edmonton being Edmonton, will force the league to reform the draft system.

[Yrebmi]

Gotta wonder if many teams theorized tank mindset, if this will affect value of higher end free agents like squid?

With all the prospect names being bantered im wondering why no one is mentioning Seiloff? Could he not also be a dark horse to make the jump next year?

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Yrebmi

Gotta wonder if many teams theorized tank mindset, if this will affect value of higher end free agents like squid?

With all the prospect names being bantered im wondering why no one is mentioning Seiloff? Could he not also be a dark horse to make the jump next year?

I'm kind of worried about Seiloff. Losing a fuel year of development in the first pro season is likely a pretty big setback.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Yrebmi

With all the prospect names being bantered im wondering why no one is mentioning Seiloff? Could he not also be a dark horse to make the jump next year?

Sieloff's not even on radar right now as he isn't even close to being ready to playing at the AHL level. He's got to get healthy, build up his body, and get back to playing any hockey before he is considered a prospect again. This will be a big off-season for him. I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up in Alaska to start the season and the club eased him back into the game. He's got a long road back.