[News] Bourne: The Flames have one of the clearest paths to the Stanley Cup in the NHL - Page 3 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Parallex · 01-09-2019, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duffalufagus

do a lot of you subscribe to the Athletic? Worth it?

I do and I think it is.

Now here is the caveat... are you a "Sports Fan", a "Hockey Fan" or a "Flames Fan"? If you just follow the Flames and have no interest in general hockey stories or stories about other sports then it's probably not worth it. But for my money (literally in this case since I pay for it) it's the best sports coverage platform out there.

Erick Estrada · 01-09-2019, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parallex

I do and I think it is.

Now here is the caveat... are you a "Sports Fan", a "Hockey Fan" or a "Flames Fan"? If you just follow the Flames and have no interest in general hockey stories or stories about other sports then it's probably not worth it. But for my money (literally in this case since I pay for it) it's the best sports coverage platform out there.

How is the NFL coverage? After a decade or more of being a subscriber ESPN insider (now ESPN+) now isn't available in Canada. I'm looking at options.

edslunch · 01-09-2019, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parallex

I do and I think it is.

Now here is the caveat... are you a "Sports Fan", a "Hockey Fan" or a "Flames Fan"? If you just follow the Flames and have no interest in general hockey stories or stories about other sports then it's probably not worth it. But for my money (literally in this case since I pay for it) it's the best sports coverage platform out there.

I only follow the Flames but still find it’s worth it. There are usually several Flames specific or at least related articles every day by some good journalists.

Split98 · 01-09-2019, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duffalufagus

do a lot of you subscribe to the Athletic? Worth it?

Very much worth it for multiple reasons IMO

1. The content is the best out there. It's coverage I actually get into reading
2. It's a good way to show Rogers/Bell what you think of their sports coverage. It's literally putting money where my mouth is, and I hope that this is the start of something bigger

Mattman · 01-09-2019, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

It's only going to take a single prolonged slump by the Flames for the Knights and Sharks to pass them in the standings. As good as the Flames have played the Sharks and Knight have been even hotter of late.

I'm not starting this debate but the Flames have had single game slumps and beginning of the season slumps with Mike Smith in net.

All I'm saying is if we had the goaltender situation sorted out right from game 1 the gap between Calgary and teams like San Jose and Vegas would be much larger I believe.

Split98 · 01-09-2019, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parallex

I do and I think it is.

Now here is the caveat... are you a "Sports Fan", a "Hockey Fan" or a "Flames Fan"? If you just follow the Flames and have no interest in general hockey stories or stories about other sports then it's probably not worth it. But for my money (literally in this case since I pay for it) it's the best sports coverage platform out there.

As a Niners fan, I have been largely following just the Flames (and occasional NHL piece) this year, and for that alone it was worth it IMO. The highest price I've seen was $5/mo, and the weekly (daily it seems now) content is well worth it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

How is the NFL coverage? After a decade or more of being a subscriber ESPN insider (now ESPN+) now isn't available in Canada. I'm looking at options.

From the notifications I'm getting, the coverage looks to be pretty awesome. I was reading most of what they put out before the season started and up to when it ended (week 4) and I thought it was really well written.

Way better than most things I've ever come across looking for news. Really detailed pieces and a perspective on the depth guys that I rarely see in NFL coverage.

Split98 · 01-09-2019, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mattman

I'm not starting this debate but the Flames have had single game slumps and beginning of the season slumps with Mike Smith in net.

All I'm saying is if we had the goaltender situation sorted out right from game 1 the gap between Calgary and teams like San Jose and Vegas would be much larger I believe.

TBH, I would take the Flames goalie situation this year over SJ's dilemma

Jones: .899 / 2.82
Dell: .891 / 3.02

CorsiHockeyLeague · 01-09-2019, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Cap hit is cap hit.

Not to the player, it isn't. From the player's perspective, it's a question of how much money they're getting paid. If Tkachuk were to make the same amount over his contract as Nylander, his contract will carry a 7.5M cap hit. That's what he'll be shooting for - probably more than that - and as he's better than Nylander, he'll likely get it. Unless he goes for more term, in which case the cap hit will be even higher.

Enoch Root · 01-09-2019, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Not to the player, it isn't. From the player's perspective, it's a question of how much money they're getting paid. If Tkachuk were to make the same amount over his contract as Nylander, his contract will carry a 7.5M cap hit. That's what he'll be shooting for - probably more than that - and as he's better than Nylander, he'll likely get it. Unless he goes for more term, in which case the cap hit will be even higher.

That's not correct.

Nylander's total cash received is $41.75M, which carries a cap hit of $6.96M

Pro-rating this year is a paper transaction. It doesn't put money in Nylander's pocket. He isn't making $45M.

CorsiHockeyLeague · 01-09-2019, 01:50 PM

You're right, I should have clarified - I meant the same amount of money per game. Nylander's only signed for something like 5 2/3 seasons.

Enoch Root · 01-09-2019, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

You're right, I should have clarified - I meant the same amount of money per game. Nylander's only signed for something like 5 2/3 seasons.

It's semantics...

Either you think the Leafs would have paid him more for the full season (i.e the pro-rated amount), or you think they are paying him the full amount, even though he is only playing 3/4 of the season.

I think it is the latter. Just assuming they would have given him $3.25M more, had he signed before the season started, seems like a stretch to me.

They paid him what they were going to pay him. And in order to avoid cap circumvention, this year had to get pro-rated for cap compliance.

It is not a $45M contract. It is a $41.75M contract, whereby he got 20 or so games off.

Weitz · 01-09-2019, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goflamesgo18

I dont see him using the same hard ball tactics. Tkachuk could prob get 9M+ from some teams, and if he wont settle for less then trade him for a boat load.

My guess is 7x7

I'd be shocked with his family history if he signs anything prior to the other big RFA's this summer.

David Struch · 01-09-2019, 02:04 PM

The toughest path to the Western Conference Finals will likely be facing the Knights, Sharks, Jets or our old nemesis, the Ducks.

In the final, I would prefer the Leafs, not looking forward to seeing any of the Lightning, Capitals, Bruins or Penguins.

djsFlames · 01-09-2019, 02:10 PM

If the Ducks end up a wildcard and we face them, that would suck. Even if they looked like crap for 80% of the season, they'd get their usual confidence/voodoo magic bump from getting to face the Flames.

Strange Brew · 01-09-2019, 02:13 PM

There are no easy paths. The playoffs will be a brutal grind no matter what.

MrMike · 01-09-2019, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djsFlames

If the Ducks end up a wildcard and we face them, that would suck. Even if they looked like crap for 80% of the season, they'd get their usual confidence/voodoo magic bump from getting to face the Flames.

I’m not aftaid of the ducks this year, not one bit. Bring em on in the first round and let’s tackle another fear.

I’d much prefer to play Anaheim than the Sharks or Knights first round.

CliffFletcher · 01-09-2019, 02:39 PM

Sorry, I don't see the Flames path to the Cup as especially easy. If the playoffs started today they'd play either the 3rd or 4th best team in the NHL in the second round. Karlsson is playing like the Sharks hoped he would, and Vegas has a goalie who can steal a series.

djsFlames · 01-09-2019, 02:43 PM

Ducks
Knights
Jets/Preds

Isn't a particularly easy path if you ask me. That said I think these boys have the character to do it.

neo45 · 01-09-2019, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Sorry, I don't see the Flames path to the Cup as especially easy. If the playoffs started today they'd play either the 3rd or 4th best team in the NHL in the second round. Karlsson is playing like the Sharks hoped he would, and Vegas has a goalie who can steal a series.

Still seems easier than the path any other team would face.

It’s the playoffs, there is no easy path. Best case scenario is probably Minny—>San Jose —> Winnipeg. Super tough but still better than being in the East right now

neo45 · 01-09-2019, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djsFlames

If the Ducks end up a wildcard and we face them, that would suck. Even if they looked like crap for 80% of the season, they'd get their usual confidence/voodoo magic bump from getting to face the Flames.

I think the Ducks are trending for a playoff miss here. They have lost 8 in a row, no?