Franchises in the NHL - Where do the Flames Rank Over Time? - Page 2 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Table 5 · 03-02-2018, 12:37 PM

We're still paying for our success in 89.
- Flames management, probably

Flash Walken · 03-02-2018, 01:18 PM

Some posters will think it's unfair to talk about bygone eras and how they've contributed to a near generation of mediocrity from the Flames, so let's focus on Post-Lockout, even playing field success. What have the Flames done when they have artificial parity at their backs?

I think we can all agree that NHL success is determined by playoff wins.

Since the 2004 lockout, the Flames are 25th in the league in playoff wins. That includes the atlanta thrashers who no longer exist.

The Flames have just 2 more playoff wins than Colorado who have played in 9 less playoff games than the Flames. The Flames have just 3 more playoff wins than the Phoenix/Arizona coyotes, who have played 14 less playoff games than Calgary over that span.

The flames are 27th in the league in terms of playoff goals per game at 2.32. One of the teams below them is the Atlanta thrashers, who no longer exist. They are slightly ahead of St.Louis at 2.29, though the Blues have 11 more playoff wins in 21 more games played.

The Flames have played in 41 post season games since the 2004 lockout. That is just 4 more playoff games than the Edmonton Oilers over the same span, objectively the worst team in professional sports for the last 10 years. Those 41 games are good for 22nd overall in the league, again, with Atlanta below them.

Well, what about the post iginla era, you can't hold the team accountable for things under their predecessor. Let's take the glossiest look at playoff success we can muster here.

Including the 2014-2015 season when the Flames made the second round, 25 teams have made the playoffs. Of those 25, the flames sit 16th in playoff wins with 5 wins in 15 games played. The oilers sit in 15th place with 7 wins in 13 games.

The Flames are in the middle of the bottom tier. They aren't quite a sunbelt team that's only existed since the mid 90s and are better than the Jets who have only existed since 2011.

And that's with being a cap team who has spent through the nose on assets the entire time.

Mediocre might be too polite a word. You'd expect a mediocre team to be roughly average. In a 30 team league, finishing 22nd/23rd isn't mediocre, it's bad, and it's rounding the corner into really bad.

mrdonkey · 03-02-2018, 01:39 PM

I guess it depends on how much stock one puts into the team winning a cup in our generation’s lifetime. But when you look at the level of success (or lack thereof) this franchise has had and factor in how long it’s been around compared to others, the Flames are definitely in the bottom tier, no question.

Table 5 · 03-02-2018, 01:43 PM

From an ownership/stability perspective, I would say this franchise has been in the top third for most of its life. Although I would say that has been declining every since the passing of Hotchkiss.

From an on-ice perspective, it's hard to argue that this team has been anything but bottom third. The only thing that's kept us above teams like the Islanders or Oilers is that we've never really had those utterly embarrassing valleys where we were the league joke.

mrdonkey · 03-02-2018, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Table 5

The only thing that's kept us above teams like the Islanders or Oilers is that we've never really had those utterly embarrassing valleys where we were the league joke.

The Jay Feaster era was just as embarrassing, albeit for slightly different reasons and not for quite as long.

djsFlames · 03-02-2018, 01:58 PM

Should be ranked ahead of all clubs without a cup. But in the basement of cup winners, for sure.

The team has gotta set their sights higher and bring themselves out of that mediocre, perpetual middle of the road group in the next 5-10 years, and that starts with getting every drop out of the core they have assembled with a top end coach.

Table 5 · 03-02-2018, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrdonkey

The Jay Feaster era was just as embarrassing, albeit for slightly different reasons and not for quite as long.

Feaster may have brought some embarrassments, but overall it was nowhere close to the decade(s) long mishaps the Oilers/Islanders have gone through.

Roof-Daddy · 03-02-2018, 02:42 PM

Yeah the Flames got off to a decent start post lock out with 4 straight playoff appearances. Couldnt win a round though and completely blew the Iggy/Kipper/Regehr/Dion core years. Terrible drafting and development. Pathetic really.

They're rebuilt now and hopefully they don't blow it with this core too.

Cecil Terwilliger · 03-02-2018, 02:45 PM

Rad jerseys though.

Or at least they would be if we wore the retros more often.

Actually our jerseys are a lot like our on ice success. So much potential but far too often squandered and just enough glimpses of greatness to make sure our hopes are dashed each time with disappointment.

Table 5 · 03-02-2018, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Actually our jerseys are a lot like our on ice success. So much potential but far too often squandered and just enough glimpses of greatness to make sure our hopes are dashed each time with disappointment.

Yeah, we have the visual material to have one of the nicest jerseys in the league. Unfortunately, our Creative Director appears to be Grandpa Simpson.

CliffFletcher · 03-02-2018, 03:13 PM

People forget the #### sandwich that Feaster was handed. The Flames had one of the oldest teams in the league, almost nobody noteworthy under the age of 27, and an awful prospect base. And the most valuable asset on the roster had a no trade clause and pulled all kinds of shenanigans to severely undercut his value at the tread deadline.

The guy made mistakes, but nobody was going to come out of the terrible situation he inherited looking good.

Flash Walken · 03-02-2018, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

People forget the #### sandwich that Feaster was handed. The Flames had one of the oldest teams in the league, almost nobody noteworthy under the age of 27, and an awful prospect base. And the most valuable asset on the roster had a no trade clause and pulled all kinds of shenanigans to severely undercut his value at the tread deadline.

The guy made mistakes, but nobody was going to come out of the terrible situation he inherited looking good.

Nah, I remember just fine. He made things worse along the way because he clearly was not driving the bus.

Considering the team had to canvas the league to hire a president, and were turned down several times along the way, just to get king out of hockey operations the team obviously realized it too.

There's no silver lining to the Feaster years. He took that job as a yes-man to ownership knowingly and is the gm of record in some of the worst moves in franchise history.

dino7c · 03-02-2018, 03:51 PM

All time win percentage is actually pretty good... although that is why they have never had a top 3 pick. It's incredible actually, Oilers have what 5 in 7 years?

Many playoff failures though epspecially in the first half of the 90s. People forget they were a top team those years and kept getting beaten by underdogs in ridiculous fasion. (Irbe game 7, blowing a 3 goal lead in game 7 to the Oilers, blowing a 3-1 series lead against Vancouver)

Anyway far from the worst but bottom half for sure...not enough playoff success.

GioforPM · 03-02-2018, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dino7c

All time win percentage is actually pretty good... although that is why they have never had a top 3 pick. It's incredible actually, Oilers have what 5 in 7 years?

Many playoff failures though epspecially in the first half of the 90s. People forget they were a top team those years and kept getting beaten by underdogs in ridiculous fasion. (Irbe game 7, blowing a 3 goal lead in game 7 to the Oilers, blowing a 3-1 series lead against Vancouver)

Anyway far from the worst but bottom half for sure...not enough playoff success.

Should have tanked, I guess.

TheIronMaiden · 03-02-2018, 03:58 PM

This wikipedia article sums up where the Flames stand pretty well. top ten in all time win percentage for the regular season. Bottom ten win percentage for the playoffs.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o..._NHL_standings

Flash Walken · 03-02-2018, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Should have tanked, I guess.

Nah, cant get too many monahans or tkachuks or bennetts on the roster, gotta trade a 1st, 3 2nds, a 3rd and a 5th to turn a 26th overall team with a -29 goal differential into a 15th place team that gets swept in the 1st round.

dino7c · 03-02-2018, 04:27 PM

Meh, I will never get pissed at a team for trying to win...I am pissed at the system that rewards failure. Fans paying hundreds of dollars to watch a team trying to lose is sad.

In a salary cap system there is no excuse for sucking continually. I would prefer an even lottery and snake draft. I know it will never happen.

Steve Bozek · 03-02-2018, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

This wikipedia article sums up where the Flames stand pretty well. top ten in all time win percentage for the regular season. Bottom ten win percentage for the playoffs.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o..._NHL_standings

Chronic underachievers when it counts - just like the Stampeders. Must be something in the drinking water.

420since1974 · 03-02-2018, 07:51 PM

At the very least, I can proudly say that I have watched my favourite team win a Stanley Cup.

Unlike the following teams:

St. Louis Blues
Buffalo Sabres
Vancouver Canucks
Washington Capitals
San Jose Sharks
Florida Panthers
Arizona Coyotes
Nashville Predators
Winnipeg Jets
Minnesota Wild
Columbus Blue Jackets
Vegas Golden Knights
Ottawa Senators (1992 incarnation)
Honorable Mention: Toronto Maple Leafs – Zero Stanley Cups since 1967

nfotiu · 03-02-2018, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 420since1974

At the very least, I can proudly say that I have watched my favourite team win a Stanley Cup.

Unlike the following teams:

St. Louis Blues
Buffalo Sabres
Vancouver Canucks
Washington Capitals
San Jose Sharks
Florida Panthers
Arizona Coyotes
Nashville Predators
Winnipeg Jets
Minnesota Wild
Columbus Blue Jackets
Vegas Golden Knights
Ottawa Senators (1992 incarnation)
Honorable Mention: Toronto Maple Leafs – Zero Stanley Cups since 1967

Good point.... I'm still a little bitter. I can only say I listened to them win in one ear bud attached to my Walkman I had under my graduation gown because my parents moved me to Edmonton 18 months earlier and made me go to the commencement ceremony I cared nothing about going to.