Season Predictions thread

[magicpixels]

I can't see minnesota having issues. Two of our so called prime additions this year in Hudler and Cervenka are hurt which leaves us Stajan as the #1 center. Honestly best thing we can hope for is a poor performing year to get us another franchise player, aka McKinnon to play with Baertschi.

I'd rather we suck for 48 games than suck for 82 and seasons to come.

[Azure]

Hudler just came back from injury, no?

[Nehkara]

Originally Posted by magicpixels

I can't see minnesota having issues. Two of our so called prime additions this year in Hudler and Cervenka are hurt which leaves us Stajan as the #1 center. Honestly best thing we can hope for is a poor performing year to get us another franchise player, aka McKinnon to play with Baertschi.

I'd rather we suck for 48 games than suck for 82 and seasons to come.

Wow. I can honestly say I have never agreed with anything you have said.

First of all I think Hudler is back. Secondly, Stajan would not be the #1C even if Hudler was hurt. Backlund has had a good season in Sweden so he will get a look, and I think Cammalleri will get a shot to centre Iginla and Tanguay before anyone else does.

Hoping your team sucks so they can get a good draft pick is... well I don't think it is a good way to approach being a fan of a hockey team. Also, now all non-playoff teams get a shot at #1 draft choice so I say go to war and give it everything you got Flames, I'll be cheering!

[return to the red]

Oilers fans will come out of the woodwork in full force claiming that having 3 people in the top 6 in AHL scoring is the beginnings of a dynasty!

wait, its already happening so I guess it's not a prediction anymore

[return to the red]

Originally Posted by Nehkara

Hoping your team sucks so they can get a good draft pick is... well I don't think it is a good way to approach being a fan of a hockey team. !

very Oileresque

[Nehkara]

Originally Posted by return to the red

very Oileresque

Exactly. Flames fans don't wish for their team to roll over and die.

[pepper24]

As long as the Canucks don't win the cup.

[BEANZ]

Originally Posted by Nehkara

Exactly. Flames fans don't wish for their team to roll over and die.

Being a fan does not mean you have to be blind. I agree that this current team has not played a single game however the bulk of these players have been part of a pretty weak hockey team for several seasons. Of the latest additions I don't see any real game breakers, most of the new faces will be complimentary players at best.

My heart wants them to win more than anything, but my head suggests they will be average like previous additions.

[Ashasx]

The benefits of tanking are being eliminated. What if the Flames finished last, yet picked something like 5th under the new CBA?

What if we just missed the playoffs and picked first overall?

[Nehkara]

Originally Posted by BEANZ

Being a fan does not mean you have to be blind. I agree that this current team has not played a single game however the bulk of these players have been part of a pretty weak hockey team for several seasons. Of the latest additions I don't see any real game breakers, most of the new faces will be complimentary players at best.

My heart wants them to win more than anything, but my head suggests they will be average like previous additions.

You can be realistic and still cheer though.

Yes a good portion of our roster was on a team that couldn't quite make the post season.

There are significant signs for optimism, however. A completely new coaching staff will bring a lot of changes, it is instructive to remember that the only years in the last 8 that the Flames missed the playoffs were the years that Brent Sutter was coach. Not saying it was his fault necessarily but a change in approach may be enough to get the team over the hump.

The Flames have also significantly increased the skill quotient in their lineup. Additions of Cervenka (when he can play), full season of Cammalleri, Hudler, Baertschi, and Wideman will help.

Either way, it doesn't bother me if fans are realistic/pessimistic but still cheer hard for the team and hope they win... but when it comes to hoping they lose to get a good draft pick, that's just not cool.

[TangerZ]

My prediction is the New York Rangers finish top in the league and win the Stanley Cup in 5 games.

I think the shortened schedule plays into the Flames hand as they get off to a hot start and finish 6th in the west. Sven finishes with 14 goals 18 assists and is named a runner up for the calder trophy.

Carolina is the surprise team in the east with the stall brothers, skinner and semin having instant chemistry. And in the west Dallas surprises and takes the pacific division.

[Meers]

Penguins beat the Canucks to win the cup.

Only Vancouver and Colorado make the playoffs from the NW.

Giroux wins the Hart.

[Insta]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

The benefits of tanking are being eliminated. What if the Flames finished last, yet picked something like 5th under the new CBA?

What if with just missed the playoffs and picked first overall?

Not eliminated. I think only the top 3 are picked lottery style then it just goes by position in standings

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Insta

Not eliminated. I think only the top 3 are picked lottery style then it just goes by position in standings

All teams that missed the playoffs have a chance at first overall now, but obviously the better teams have a lower chance.

What if your team only has a 20% chance at first overall if you finish last? Is it worth it to tank?

[Insta]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

All teams that missed the playoffs have a chance at first overall now, but obviously the better teams have a lower chance.

What if your team only has a 20% chance at first overall if you finish last? Is it worth it to tank?

It depends heh. If you finish last you'll still almost certainly pick top3. Tank is something worth doing if you are obviously not going to be competitive enough. There isn't much point in finishing 11th over and over again until the stars retire when the parts can be moved for valuable assets in a rebuild.

[You Need a Thneed]

Vancouver misses the playoffsEdmonton is a bottom 5 team
Iggy breaks the 100 point barrier for the first time, 40 points clear of anyone else in the league.
Kipper is not the starting goalie for the Flames at the end of the season.
Bärtschi wins the Conn Smythe.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

Vancouver misses the playoffsEdmonton is a bottom 5 team
Iggy breaks the 100 point barrier for the first time, 40 points clear of anyone else in the league.
Kipper is not the starting goalie for the Flames at the end of the season.
Bärtschi wins the Conn Smythe.

Iggy is going to score 100 points in a shortened season? Not freakin likely.

[boggledepot]

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

You and I have very different ideas about what a treat is.

Yeah your right. Intense divisional games watching some of top offensive talent in the world. Bitter rivalries between fans cheering for Vancouver, and fans cheering for Edmonton. And because the season is so short every single game will be important. I anticipate the dome to have a playoff atmosphere for the entire season. Yeah your right--we do have different ideas about what a treat is. We might also have different ideas what a hockey fan is too.

[kehatch]

Originally Posted by Nehkara

You can be realistic and still cheer though.

Yes a good portion of our roster was on a team that couldn't quite make the post season.

There are significant signs for optimism, however. A completely new coaching staff will bring a lot of changes, it is instructive to remember that the only years in the last 8 that the Flames missed the playoffs were the years that Brent Sutter was coach. Not saying it was his fault necessarily but a change in approach may be enough to get the team over the hump.

The Flames have also significantly increased the skill quotient in their lineup. Additions of Cervenka (when he can play), full season of Cammalleri, Hudler, Baertschi, and Wideman will help.

Either way, it doesn't bother me if fans are realistic/pessimistic but still cheer hard for the team and hope they win... but when it comes to hoping they lose to get a good draft pick, that's just not cool.

I think the Flames are in dire straights. You say reasons for optimism. I say grasping at make believe straws.

• The chances are much better that players like Kipper/Iginla (age) and Glencross (normalized S%, loss of partner) regress then seeing rebounds from players like Stajan and Bouwmeester.
• There is every possibility that free agents signings like Wideman (requires team quality/offense to be successful), Hudler (S% regression), and Cervenka (long odds on European imports) don't succeed.
• We lack any legitimate top 6 Cs (most important position in hockey).
• The coaching change will be different this time. Honest.
• Etc.
• Etc.
• Etc

.

This team was crap the last two seasons and it is tough to make a case that a veteran team who let one of their best forwards walk is going to maintain their level let alone improve. A coaching change and 15-million in high risk long term free agent signings doesn't change that.

Only (some) Calgary fans are in denial. As I said above Vegas odds have us at 50/1 to win the cup. Third worst in the entire NHL. None of the sources I frequent estimate Calgary to make the playoffs. Not one.

If there was a light at the end of the tunnel it would be bearable. But the reality is our best players are nearing regression / retirement / moving on and we don't have players coming up to fill the coffers.

Fans like to overestimate their teams prospects. But the reality is, as encouraged as I am over Brodie, Baertschi, and Gaudrea we still have a serious lack of prospects. None besides Brodie have legitimate NHL experience and most of our guys are a long ways off. People like to estimate players like Granlund in our future top 6 because of a strong WJC. But the odds or incredible long on most of our guys. And even if they hit how does Baertschi-Jankowski-Gaudrea likely line up against Hall-RNH-Eberle?

Compared to a majority of other NHL teams we are behind in the prospect department. And yet one of the few groups that continues to be naive is the one group that can do something about it. The Flames don't need to blow it up. But they do need to start making an active effort on improving our future. And no, focusing on Byron/Smith caliber prospects doesn't count. They need to start stockpiling picks and prospects BEFORE they drop off a cliff.

But (rant finally off) I agree with the bold. Hoping your team loses, even if it may be in the teams long term interest, is ridiculous. Rebuilding teams acknowledge losing as a possibility but they still do everything they reasonably can to win and the fan base should be cheering them on.

That said, if you are losing (like we have been) I would sure like the comfort blanket that encourages me that the team is at least working towards a future that is better rather then worse. Because there is nothing worse then things sucking but knowing that the worst is yet to come.

[Trailer Fire]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Iggy is going to score 100 points in a shortened season? Not freakin likely.

Your grasp of humour is fantastic. Teach me.