Fan 960: Gaudreau 12:30PM MT. Treliving 1:00 PM MT

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

I agree.

Question: How many teams are flirting with rebuild/falling graces next year? Wouldn't merely keeping up our current effort push us up a few slots on the rankings?

If we're injury plagued next year, maybe I could see us languishing around the bottom again, but if healthy? I could see us shoot up quite a few spots (probably not playoff spot though).

us not included, you have the usual suspects in Buffalo, Florida, Edmonton. I think Carolina, Nashville, Jets and even Vancouver are in the next tier depending on injuries and/or trades. You never know about the Islanders even though they will probably try very hard in the offseason to make sure they don't place at the bottom for Buffalo. I also expect NJ to go full Oiler if they have some key injuries or get off to a bad start so they can get a marquee player instead of continually re-signing the Czech senior team.

[ForeverFlameFan]

1. Sabres
2. Oilers
3. Hurricanes
4. Senators (yes, I think they'll be in the bottom)

I can see all these teams tanking.

Also, Hartley is very familiar with our group now and we play pretty good hockey under him. We aren't getting McDavid.

[EldrickOnIce]

Yes. OK. But playoffs in the west?
Name the 5 teams the Flames are better than compared to last year, before free agency

[Hugh Jahrmes]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

They've been tanking their balls off for 5 years now. So they have any balls left?

Tank your taint off?
Official team tshirt material right there

[Eric Vail]

Last year, most were very pleased with the Flames and if anything they overachieved, yet still finished 27th. Most teams who over-achieve eventually fall back to earth. If the Flames don't over-achieve, it would make sense that they would finish lower than 27th and have a shot at McDavid.

Gio had by far his best season. If he falls back to a more average career production this coming season, we lose more games.
Great rookies like Monahan often have sophomore jinxes in their follow up seasons.
We had several others who took significant steps forward last season, and if half of them step back, we will be a worse team.
UFAs Cammarelli and Butler are likely gone. Who replaces their production?

I am not hoping the Flames tank, but it is not unreasonable to suggest that they could be a worse team next year.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

Yes. OK. But playoffs in the west?
Name the 5 teams the Flames are better than compared to last year, before free agency

I didn't say that the Flames would be a top team in the west. If we somehow make playoffs next year, we will have to play against a California team, and get kicked out in the first round.

The chances of us getting McDavid are very slim, the slimmest you can imagine. The only way of getting him is pretty much getting in the top 2 spots and hoping to win the lottery.

The Flames aren't that kind of team that is going to tank for a player. We have a good prospect pool, we play our butts off, we have a very good coach, and our management is awesome. I pretty much named off every thing that the Oilers don't do or have and that's why they will be in the running for the 1st OA pick again and not us.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

Not sure what more the Flames could do to tank than they did this year. The two main goalies hadn't played in the NHL in years (or ever in Berra's case). They had Shane O'Brien getting a regular shift for the first part of the year and played two goons in most games. You need to have some players being paid to hit the cap floor. I suppose they could have done a Cammy for Heatley type move but that is just going to annoy the fan base.

They tried to suck... but Ramo was better than expected, Gio became elite and the players tried hard and here we are.

You answered your own question: Ramo falters and Gio has a season closer to his career average. Even Monahan suffering a sophomore jinx could be enough to drop the Flames a few points in the standings.

[Anduril]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

They've been tanking their balls off for 5 years now. So they have any balls left?

When it comes to the Oilers and the draft lottery, they have the most balls out of everybody.

[Erick Estrada]

I'm of the belief that the Flames could very well be in the mix for 1st overall pick in 2015. A lot went right this season and the team is still picking 5th. I don't foresee a lot of immediate help in the offseason and a few key injuries and/or player regression or regression in work ethic could make for a really difficult season. Things could also go the other way and they improve so we will have to see how it plays out.

[cannon7]

I don't think Treliving needs to even hint at the notion that Gaudreau is not a lock next season. Gaudreau, just like any young player trying to make the NHL, needs to come to camp both physically and mentally prepared and to play at their highest level. Even a highly touted guy like Gaudreau is going to get cut if he spends his summar being a couch potato. Same goes for Baertschi, who has wisdom on his side.

[theoforever]

Conroy said that fans should be prepared for the possibility of a step back.
To me that looks like, we letting kids play and not making major additions.
Unofficial tank job is on. Flames seem to want to play the year with what they have. Although I would not be shocked if we add Verbatta or a dman.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by theoforever

Conroy said that fans should be prepared for the possibility of a step back.
To me that looks like, we letting kids play and not making major additions.
Unofficial tank job is on. Flames seem to want to play the year with what they have. Although I would not be shocked if we add Verbatta or a dman.

I take some offense at the unofficial tank job statement.
Rebuilding can't be done properly by making shortcuts.
You understand you will (and you need to) suck for 2-3 years. Management must have the patience to do that.
It would be foolish to rob your franchise of an opportunity to rebuild through the draft by cutting it short.

[theoforever]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

I take some offense at the unofficial tank job statement.
Rebuilding can't be done properly by making shortcuts.
You understand you will (and you need) to suck for 2-3 years. Management must have the patience to do that.
It would be foolish to rob your franchise of an opportunity to rebuild through the draft by cutting it short.

You take offense, don't make me lough.
One could argue if you are not doing everything in your power to get more points, then you are tanking.
I believe we should play the kids and whatever comes is fine by me.
Looks like Flames are picking the same road and that's good.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

I take some offense at the unofficial tank job statement.
Rebuilding can't be done properly by making shortcuts.
You understand you will (and you need to) suck for 2-3 years. Management must have the patience to do that.
It would be foolish to rob your franchise of an opportunity to rebuild through the draft by cutting it short.

So what you're saying is they should tank, but you don't like calling it that?????

[EldrickOnIce]

It's called rebuilding

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by theoforever

One could argue if you are not doing everything in your power to get more points, then you are tanking.

Including trading picks for veteran players?

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

It's called rebuilding

No no, retooling

[theoforever]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

Including trading picks for veteran players?

Nobody is saying not to rebuild. We do have a lot of cap room and despite the fact that most good UFA's will not come here, we could add some that would make some difference. This would be a stupid thing to do.
I say lets play as hard as we can, but with what we have.
So, we can keep our integrity (unlike Oil), but still suck enough to have a chance at the top pick. Burke can say what he wants but that's still a tank job, an unofficial tank job.

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

You answered your own question: Ramo falters and Gio has a season closer to his career average. Even Monahan suffering a sophomore jinx could be enough to drop the Flames a few points in the standings.

The Flames still finished 10 points up on 3rd place. A few points in the standings isn't enough of a drop. The teams above us are closer to us then we are to the 3rd place team.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Robbob

The Flames still finished 10 points up on 3rd place. A few points in the standings isn't enough of a drop. The teams above us are closer to us then we are to the 3rd place team.

Yes, but Florida is waving around first pick to Improve now. Maybe that's just posturing, but Luongo will help and that could be a team that rebounds quite a bit, if they are willing to trade the future for now