When does a good start become a good season?

[landshark]

Take 2 out of 3 in California and watch the fireworks...

hell, I'd almost wish for a cali sweep just to see what the media does.

Calgary has been the media's whipping boy for some time now. I love watching writers/broadcasters squirm...

[Caged Great]

If they continue playing with this kind of effort, then it will be a successful season. Doesn't really matter where we end up.

If we are in a playoff spot give or take a few points maybe you go out and try to get a goalie, but it isn't a big deal.

[Dion]

A couple of things have come to my attention....

The whole team has bought in to the system that Hartley is preaching. No more talk of divisions in the dressing room.

The players are having fun on the ice surface working their tails off. There's a bond amongst the players that we as fans haven't seen since 2004.

Finally they display no fear. I'm not sure if it has to do with the low expectations or that they want to prove the critics wrong. Whatever it is I hope it continues.

Fans want to watch a team that plays hard and gives them good entertainment for their dollar and we're getting it.

Frankly i'm enjoying the ride the Flames are taking us on and I hope it continues.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Flashpoint

We've mostly been playing the backups.

Nobody has been checking Monahan.

None of the teams thus far have been taking the Flames seriously in the first period.

Sooner or later we're going to stop catching teams thinking they are in for an easy two points. This California trip ought to be very interesting.

Regardless, it's the most fun I've had watching the Flames in about 5 years. Love the enthusiasm and effort.

We've played one backup in Lack

Brodeur is not the backup
Price isn't a backup
Cowboy Bob isn't a backup
Niewworth and Holby played for the Flames.

I know I'm nit picking your post but we've only faced one backup.

If teams aren't taking the Flames seriously then we're talking about the problem that faced the Flames over the last few years. That's the teams problem not ours.

We've also faced Montreal, Vancouver, Washington all considered to be upper echelon teams. New Jersey and Columbus are both not great teams, but I wouldn't say our schedule has been easy.

I agree that this western road swing is going to really show us what this team is all about. If they can .500 this road trips its pretty successful.

But it looks like your making excuses for the Flames wins that I can't really agree with.

[Stay Golden]

I'm enjoying the early success that nobody thought the Flames would be having.
This road trip is going to be a brutal test. One difference this is Hartley's team now. He has control of these guys. I don't believe he is going to let this particular roster treat the California/PHX road trip like past teams have, one big vacation.
If they can go .500 on this trip I will be happy with that but based on what we have seen there is no reason to believe they can surpass that.
Tough opponents all 5 of them.

[MillerTime GFG]

On the opposite end of the spectrum, good entertainment found here:

http://hfboards.hockeysfuture.com/sh....php?t=1514723

[CliffFletcher]

Remember, a couple seasons ago the Wild were the top team in the NHL at the Christmas break. They missed the playoffs. Injuries will do that to teams thin on talent.

This has been a fun run. Enjoy it, but temper expectations.

[Heavy Jack]

I vote C because I do feel this team is playoff capable. We have 11 of 17 games on the road to start. If we can come out of that with 10 wins and some OT losses we are well on our way to turning this into a good season with a lot of home games going into December and January. Our schedule could prove to be very favorable when the reg season starts to wind down.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Remember, a couple seasons ago the Wild were the top team in the NHL at the Christmas break. They missed the playoffs. Injuries will do that to teams thin on talent.

This has been a fun run. Enjoy it, but temper expectations.

Thanks, Dad.

[Heavy Jack]

Originally Posted by landshark

Take 2 out of 3 in California and watch the fireworks...

hell, I'd almost wish for a cali sweep just to see what the media does.

Calgary has been the media's whipping boy for some time now. I love watching writers/broadcasters squirm...

Joe?? Stop stroking that thing will ya, this isn't the place for it.

[Falclore]

This season will be a success when we first make the playoffs in 3-4 years and go 5-10 years without missing that playoffs and have a legitimate chance to win the cup. This year and the next couple are about our players learning how to complete and play a full 82 game season, managing the highs and lows.

That being said, this team is playing hard and deserves some respect around the league.

[getbak]

If they can get a win in Anaheim, I'll really start to believe anything is possible.

[Oil Stain]

I think Calgary still finishes low on the season. Bottom 5/10. They are having a good start, but they are losing the shots/teritorial battles and that will catch up to them over the course of the season.

4-5 games shouldn't change anyone's mind. It's still a poor roster.


Oilers will improve from where they sit. They are going to miss the playoffs as well, but with their roster I think they will finish ahead of the Flames again.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

I think Calgary still finishes low on the season. Bottom 5/10. They are having a good start, but they are losing the shots/teritorial battles and that will catch up to them over the course of the season.

4-5 games shouldn't change anyone's mind. It's still a poor roster.


Oilers will improve from where they sit. They are going to miss the playoffs as well, but with their roster I think they will finish ahead of the Flames again.

Calgary might not have the flashy top 5 players that the Oilers have, but frankly Calgary's overall forward structure is better especially in the bottom 6 which is important.

Right now the goaltending between Calgary and Edmonton is equivalent, the blue lines are equivalent maybe, but I wouldn't trade Calgary's top half of their blue line for the Oilers.

I wouldn't be so assured that the Oilers will finish ahead of the Flames, their top 5 great players look baffled and confused.

I would say both teams finish out of the playoffs, Edmonton lower then Calgary by a few points.

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Calgary might not have the flashy top 5 players that the Oilers have, but frankly Calgary's overall forward structure is better especially in the bottom 6 which is important.

Right now the goaltending between Calgary and Edmonton is equivalent, the blue lines are equivalent maybe, but I wouldn't trade Calgary's top half of their blue line for the Oilers.

I wouldn't be so assured that the Oilers will finish ahead of the Flames, their top 5 great players look baffled and confused.

I would say both teams finish out of the playoffs, Edmonton lower then Calgary by a few points.

It's certainly possible. It is the Oilers afterall.

Still I'd be confident enough to wager on it if you are interested.

[strombad]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Remember, a couple seasons ago the Wild were the top team in the NHL at the Christmas break. They missed the playoffs. Injuries will do that to teams thin on talent.

This has been a fun run. Enjoy it, but temper expectations.

To be fair, we've done what we have so far without our top offensive threat, without one of our few defensively responsible centers, without a genuine starting goaltender, and now without one of our few highly physical and decently skilled wingers.
I really don't think we need to be scared of being detailed by injuries.

[Itse]

5 games is not much one way or the other, but it's a little more than nothing. Unless our injury woes get even worse (Giordano, Wideman are I think much more irreplaceable than any of our forwards for example), this team doesn't look like a bottom dweller.

It doesn't look like a playoff team either though. I think our team +/- about where it should be based on our performance thus far, so it will propably get a little bit worse as we've been clearly overperforming. At that point we'll be a minus team, and generally speaking minus teams don't make the playoffs.

So the way I see this playing out is that we'll be at least mathematically in the hunt for quite a while and get killed at crunch time. Experience tends to trump youth as the season progresses.

So I'm thinking a lot of fans will be again pulling out hair when the Flames finish something like 21st-24th overall.

How do I feel about this?

What's there not to like?

I actually have some faith in our GM's ability to build a team now.
Our rookies show some real promise.
There seems to be a good environment for learning.
The team is playing hockey much more the way I like it.

[flames_fan_down_under]

I wish there was an "AWESOME to watch, but still way too early" option. So i voted "Nothing, way too early". Not trying to be a wet blanket, the way they are playing is inspiring, and so great to watch. However still 77 games to play, and the way injuries are starting to pile up it just leaves me concerned.

I guess what it boils down to is the Flames have year after year raised my hopes, and I will buy in to the hope, only to be disappointed. So i am keeping my expectations as low as possible.

[jar_e]

Why does "Nothing, way too early" equate to they'll end up in the bottom? Its been a good start but its no way a good season as of yet.

[dissentowner]

I knew how moon voted without even having to look.