Are the flames a true cup contender?

[PuckSlap]

Not with mang or toffolie on the top line right wing. Imo

[Enoch Root]

Last year COL looked to be a cut above the pack, as TBL had for the prior 2 or 3 years. This year, I don't see any team that is a cut above everyone else, as COL is a bit weaker with the loss of Kadri.

The Flames are as good as any team in the top tier - I think they are at the same level as CAR, COL, TOR, and TBL

Next 5 I would include: FLA, MIN, NYR, BOS, and maybe STL or EDM

[Burning Beard]

Originally Posted by PuckSlap

Not with mang or toffolie on the top line right wing. Imo

Mangiapane had over 30 goals last season. Tofolli is one of the top snipers on the team playing with a top playmaker in the league. They will be fine in my opinion.

[Macman]

In short I’ll say yes and the Flames have also been picked as a top contender by the Athletic article posted here.
We could possibly see some early game jitters though with the new core lineup changes but on the other hand we’ll see Huberdeau, Weegar and Kadri in regular season action for the first time.
The first 20-25 games will be very telling but I think it will be positive.

[Enoch Root]

I agree that there is a bit of concern regarding Markstrom.

And of course there is some concern with scoring - if Toffoli really struggles out of the gate, the scoring issue will be a constant fight until they bring someone in.

I also think there is a bit of a risk with Kylington being out. He was fantastic in the first half of last season, and will be missed. The expectation is that Weegar fills that gap, but there is a bit of chemistry risk on the D.

I sure wouldn't want Huberdeau to be out for any length of time

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Burning Beard

Mangiapane had over 30 goals last season. Tofolli is one of the top snipers on the team playing with a top playmaker in the league. They will be fine in my opinion.

To win a championship “fine” is not good enough.

This team needs, at the minimum, a top-6 RW. Think about it right now - if Coleman or Toffoli goes down? Yikes. Our RW depth is absolutely heinous.

In my eyes, we will acquire a top-6 RW, and when that gets done I think the roster is “complete” and has a chance at contending for the Cup. It’ll just come down to being hot at the right moment and getting the right bounces.

[gvitaly]

It's way too early to tell. Ask me if/after we win a round.

On paper the team has the potential to be formidable. However, we've had plenty of teams that had amazing D-cores but couldn't deliver. If this team sticks to the system, and plays to its potential it is a playoff team.

[Flaming Horse]

What I have been disappointed with is the teams lack of playing with structure and an identity. They played this way for about the first 45-50 games last year and then got away from it the rest of the year and definitely in the oilers series.They really need to play with a structure and a high compete level if they are going to be successful in the first two games. They need to slow teams down like the avs and greasers. Good gap control, take away the neutral zone and strong zone entry denial.This is where I hope Weegar can be successful in denying good zone entries.

[Burning Beard]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

To win a championship “fine” is not good enough.

Dustin Brown had 15 goals in the regular season on the top line for the cup winning LA Kings under Sutter.

I expect Mangiapane or Tofolli to beat that by a fair margin.

[Flaming Horse]

I hope to see the team also be a lot more physical. Be hard on Mcdufus. This is an area where the flames have an advantage over the oilers and other teams and they need to use it. Lucic will probably not be scoring much so he at least needs to be physical.

[Enoch Root]

Being a legitimate contender means having a roster that is good enough to win series in the 3rd and 4th round, not just good enough to hopefully get that far. Does this roster have the potential/ability to beat the other legitimate contenders in the final rounds?

IMO, yes it does. Are there question marks? Of course - every team has them. Does everything have to work out? Yes, again, true for every team. But if they have a good season, can they do it? I would say, say, absolutely.

[NegativeSpace]

It is very challenging to determine this issue with the roster turnover. They have a lot of good players but we do not know how they fit together. The team has to play together for a while before we can really engage in this discussion. The turnover on the top two lines are the most interesting thing for the first half of the season. I expect the goaltending to be strong most nights and the defence corps to be solid, with potential for great. I just have no idea how the forwards are going to mesh. So, I think that this one is difficult.

Also, I find watching how teams in playoff positions play after the all-star break more indicative on their standing as a contender than the start of the season.

[Roof-Daddy]

They look good on paper but that doesn't mean anything unless it translates to the ice.

Best C depth and D core the Flames have had in a long time. Hopefully it all gels together quickly.

[guzzy]

I still think finishing will hurt the Flames. We saw it against Edmonton. We need a true sniper. Hard to find, I get it.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Flaming Horse

Take off the homer glasses for a minute, stop listening to the media and other fans that don't have a clue.

Why read any further, when the instructions are to ignore this thread?

[Flamesfan05]

Not the favorites

Contender? Maybe with probably 6-10 other teams

[dobbles]

I don't even have homer glasses and I'm pretty excited for the team you guys have. Assuming Markstrom mentally moves past that Edmonton series that is.

I actually think too many fans on here make too big of a deal about needing a top line winger. I always go back to my Red Wings days and think of both the Shanahan/Yzerman/Holmstrom and then Zetterberg/Datsyuk/Holmstrom lines as a reminder that you don't always want or need your 3 best forwards playing on the top line. Holmstrom was a fairly average player that had a hugely complimentary skillset to the elite players. I would have to think that with Huberdeau and Kadri/Lindholm at the other 2 spots, you would want a complimentary player for another top skill player. You guys had a bit of a unicorn in Tkachuk in that he had good skill but was also the complimentary skillset type guy. I think that was what propelled them to being one of the best even strength lines the game has seen in a while. I don't think you guys need that sort of production to still be a contender.

Considering Huberdeau/Gaudreau is pretty much a wash, I think you guys are much stronger bringing in Kadri and Weegar and losing just Tkachuk. Top line might not be as strong, but a better roster overall.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by guzzy

I still think finishing will hurt the Flames. We saw it against Edmonton. We need a true sniper. Hard to find, I get it.

You mean the one pre-season game where the roster was:

Huberdeau - Ruzicka - Toffoli
Milano - Eakin - Dube
Zary - Schwindt - Duehr
McLean - Rooney - Bishop

Hanifin - Andersson
Valimaki - Stone
Mackey - Meloche

Or the other game where Calgary won 4-0?

[taxbuster]

Originally Posted by Flaming Horse

What I have been disappointed with is the teams lack of playing with structure and an identity. They played this way for about the first 45-50 games last year and then got away from it the rest of the year and definitely in the oilers series.They really need to play with a structure and a high compete level if they are going to be successful in the first two games.

Sad to say, but JG was part of the problem there. Yes, he could score, but it's hard to slow a team down when you have one player on a line who won't go into a corner, into the boards or hit. Teams took advantage of that throughout the year and in the playoffs. And when Tanev (mostly) went down, Chucky became an idiot and Marky turned into a sieve, you need EVERYONE else to up their game. Flames didn't do that.

I don't think that will happen this year. The core is stronger and more experienced, and still...IN SUTTER WE TRUST.

I don't think players that got away from the system last year will be allowed to do that this year, or they'll be riding pine a lot.

Contender? Sure...
Winner? That's why they play the games.

[Strange Brew]

I am extremely excited for this season. IMO they still have to earn contender status but I do believe the ceiling for this team is the highest possible.