TSN says Flames 14th

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

FYI Ferraro was the first one to beak Erixon for leaving Calgary, and the first one to rub it in when NYR traded him away. He has my respect for that.

I think 14th is a bit harsh, any team with Jarome Iginla and Mikka Kipprusoff has the chance of being competitive.. but I understand their logic based on past performances.

People need to stop waiting for this big bust to happen to rebuild, this team is already rebuilding with freshly stocked good prospects, some of which we saw show cased in the WJ's this year.

Just because you are rebuilding doesn't mean you can't try and keep winning in the process.

Thank you! Why does nobody, anywhere, seem to understand this?

You're not being good to your fans by intentionally failing, esp when there is absolutely NO certainty of it working out for you. It's the responsibility of the organization to continue to try and be competitive, and put a decent team and effort on the ice. A contending team (except for the rare, 'lightning in a bottle' occurrence of pittsburgh) is built through drafting and development internally, which requires a good amount of patience and time, which is exactly what they're attempting to do now. It urks me when people bash this team for actually trying to compete while building up its prospect depth. What, trading Iginla is going to land you the next Iginla? Is that a sure thing? doubt it. Pretty doubtful that his value is that high even. Whereas his value is highest remaining with the Flames, where his role and contribution is largest. And Kipper isn't going to bring you back the world either, at least not enough to change the fortunes of the team by that move alone. It'd definitely hurt us far more than help us, I do believe. I think they're doing the right thing.

People here have gotta stop getting jealous of edmonton, and the media hype around it all. There's very little to be jealous of with those buffoons. They have no clue know how to build a team right. Way too top heavy. They're still gonna be chasing pucks out of their own net all season long... just wait and see...

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by pylon

We would never be lucky enough to finish 14th. We will track all year, looking like we will, then go on some miracle run, to get us back into that 9-11 spot like we do every. single. year.

Originally Posted by Bar-Down

I think its pretty accurate, don't see us doing much this year. But I'm okay with it, getting a top 5 pick in a draft year like this will be huge!

This would be the year the Flames will finish dead last, lose the draft lottery and end up picking 5th overall instead of 1st.

Edit: Is that possible? To drop a maximum of four spots?

[Ped]

Predictions are something to talk about but not worth much.

Yeah TSN picked Ottawa to miss the playoffs last year but pretty much everyone did. They stunned everyone.

Calgary could do the same but expectations are naturally low for a team coming off 3 meh seasons.

Optimism was quite high last year among Flames fans but misplaced as it turns out.

It's up to this year's edition to show what they can do. If the Flames make the playoffs no one will care what TSN said. If they don't, the pattern will repeat itself next season.

[trackercowe]

Sportsnet crushing the Flames right now... Fun times!

Pretty much saying it's a terrible decision to not try and find a way to trade Iginla this season.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by trackercowe

Sportsnet crushing the Flames right now... Fun times!

Pretty much saying it's a terrible decision to not try and find a way to trade Iginla this season.

If he's not locked up by the trade deadline, they absolutely should.

We need to get something, whether it's keeping him for beyond this year, or prospects/picks. We cannot lose him for nothing in UFA. That would be a huge setback, and would probably cause us to go through an additional 5 year bottom feeder cycle like the Oilers have gone through recently.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

FYI Ferraro was the first one to beak Erixon for leaving Calgary, and the first one to rub it in when NYR traded him away. He has my respect for that.

I think 14th is a bit harsh, any team with Jarome Iginla and Mikka Kipprusoff has the chance of being competitive.. but I understand their logic based on past performances.

People need to stop waiting for this big bust to happen to rebuild, this team is already rebuilding with freshly stocked good prospects, some of which we saw show cased in the WJ's this year.

Just because you are rebuilding doesn't mean you can't try and keep winning in the process.

Totally agree with this. Especially with the new draft format I'd rather have the long term strategy of drafting well and stocking the system whilst trying to remain somewhat competitive vs try to suck enough for a good draft pick. 100 times out of 100

[Vinny01]

Keenan seems very confident Iggy will never leave Calgary

[Bobby]

I agree with most of what the panel said.

I don't remember an NHL teamwinning a cup without amazing depth down the middle.

Calgary neeeeeeeeeeeeeds a few solid C prospects.

[stignasty]

Sportsnet dumps on the Flames, puts them in 14th then comes back from the break showing how they did the same to Ottawa last year. I really hope lightning strikes twice.

[djsFlames]

Season, get here faster, so we can show them all just how wrong they are.

< 3 daysss.....

[dino7c]

call me a homer...I don't see how the Flames are worse with Sven, Wideman, Hudler, Cammy for the whole season

[RITFW]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

If he's not locked up by the trade deadline, they absolutely should.

We need to get something, whether it's keeping him for beyond this year, or prospects/picks. We cannot lose him for nothing in UFA. That would be a huge setback, and would probably cause us to go through an additional 5 year bottom feeder cycle like the Oilers have gone through recently.

If (IF!) it comes to this what happens if he pulls a Sundin and refuses?

[Perogy Man]

14th is about right. Oilers in 15th or 16th is even more so.

[Jing]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Totally agree with this. Especially with the new draft format I'd rather have the long term strategy of drafting well and stocking the system whilst trying to remain somewhat competitive vs try to suck enough for a good draft pick. 100 times out of 100

I know that every team that misses has a chance at the first overall pick, but could someone tell me what the weightings are? Is it still heavily skewed towards the last place team?

[saillias]

Originally Posted by Makarov

Shouldn't TSN be celebrating the fact that the Flames have finally taken their advice and iced a lottery pick roster? Following in those Oilers footsteps at last.

Same team minus Jokinen?

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by dino7c

call me a homer...I don't see how the Flames are worse with Sven, Wideman, Hudler, Cammy for the whole season

I can see both sides. The flames on paper look to have an even worse group of centers than last year.

They did pick up some more scoring.

Hartely will be the key. Not having a full preseason hurts.

[Mike F]

For litmus testing, last year's TSN predictions w/ actual finish in brackets:

Projected Eastern Conference Standings

1. Washington (Southeast) (7)
2. Pittsburgh (Atlantic) (2)
3. Boston (Northeast) (4)
4. Philadelphia (3)
5. Tampa Bay (10)
6. Buffalo (9)
7. NY Rangers (1)
8. Montreal (15)

9. New Jersey (5)
10. Toronto (13)
11. Carolina (12)
12. Winnipeg (11)
13. NY Islanders (14)
14. Florida (6)
15. Ottawa (8)

Projected Western Conference Standings

1. Vancouver (Northwest) (1)
2. San Jose (Pacific) (7)
3. Chicago (Central) (5)
4. Detroit (4)
5. Los Angeles (8)
6. Anaheim (13)
7. St. Louis (2)
8. Nashville (3)

9. Calgary (9)
10. Dallas (10)
11. Phoenix (6)
12. Columbus (15)
13. Minnesota (12)
14. Edmonton (14)
15. Colorado (11)

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by RITFW

If (IF!) it comes to this what happens if he pulls a Sundin and refuses?

Then it would discolour his legacy with the flames and some people (mainly the guys that aren't a fan of his to begin with) will think of his as being extremely selfish and viewing himself as being above the team.

He's within his rights to do that, but it would be kind of a dickish move towards the only team he's played for.

Personally I'd rather see him sign for 3/4 years for 5.5-6 mil and remove the whole trade Iginla thing from the table.

[3 Justin 3]

Though they have us at 14th (which I know we will do better than), I was extremely surprised they gave Sven some love, having him at #3 for rookies. As they were counting down the list I was thinking to myself "yeah, they are just going to ignore Sven", then he came up at #3 and I was pleasantly surprised.

They make think the Flames suck, but at least they are smart enough to know Sven is a dynamite player.

[Ashasx]

If Sven has a Calder candidate season, Kipper remains in good form, and we get the regular contribution from our vets, I don't see how we finish 14th.