Aaron Ward predicts Flames make 2014/2015 Playoffs

[Igottago]

I don't think its a good prediction, but it goes to show the Flames earned a lot of respect last season. People took notice of the hard work and determination of the team and are giving them props in the build up to this season. Nice to see.

We won't make the playoffs though.

[Igottago]

Double post

[Gary83]

Originally Posted by robaur

can i have some of this kool-aid that you're drinking?

Jesus could not get this team into playoff contention.

That's because we're TANKING

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Imported_Aussie

Looking at the West, these are the teams that I see that are clearly better than the Flames:
Chicago
LA
St. Louis
Anaheim
San Jose
Minnesota
Dallas
Colorado

That's 8 teams who I see doing way better than the Flames. One of those teams has to bomb for a playoff chance. Then you have teams like Vancouver, Nashville, Arizona who could all finish ahead and I would not be too shocked. IMO Flames are fighting with Winnipeg and Edmonton for last spot in the West

Minnesota is a big question mark to me. I don't see them on the same tier as those other teams and I think they will be the odd team out this year.

[saillias]

Ah the media shift in our favor, (minus vendetta Dreger) that's how you know we've been drafting well. The media guys love a rebuild.

[J3FFR3Y]

I'm a huge flames fan but come on.. Have a another drink ward.

[Locke]

I dont know how anyone can look at this team and think: "playoff mix."

Where are the goals going to come from?

What Hiller/Ramo bring to the table are a lot of question marks.

[CaptainCrunch]

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by Imported_Aussie

Looking at the West, these are the teams that I see that are clearly better than the Flames:
Chicago
LA
St. Louis
Anaheim
San Jose
Minnesota
Dallas
Colorado

That's 8 teams who I see doing way better than the Flames. One of those teams has to bomb for a playoff chance. Then you have teams like Vancouver, Nashville, Arizona who could all finish ahead and I would not be too shocked. IMO Flames are fighting with Winnipeg and Edmonton for last spot in the West

The problem with this list of 8 teams, is that 5 of them are in one division. It's completely not out of the question that one of those five gets crushed enough by it's own division that there is a wild card spot open for a fourth team in the Pacific Division to make the playoffs, especially when that fourth place pacific team has a higher percentage of games against terrible teams like Edmonton.

Plus the same eight teams never make the playoffs in back to back years.

If a fourth team from the Pacific makes that playoffs, it has to be at leasts one of Arizona, Vancouver, Edmonton, or Calgary. Edmonton is liekly going to take a step back from last season, even though they were already 14th out of 14. Vancouver seems more likely to take another step backwards than forwards. Arizona is who they are, always just in or just out.

Also, what if one of the California teams takes a stumble - perhaps due to a bunch of injuries?

Not saying that Calgary is going to make the playoffs, but far more unlikely things have happened. There are plenty of reasonable (but still unlikely) scenarios that would result in the Flames having a chance of making the playoffs - of course all of them involve the Flames taking a major step forward. If our prospects are in any way as good as we think they are, a step forward certainly isn't out of the question.

[rohara66]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

Edmonton is liekly going to take a step back from last season, even though they were already 14th out of 14.

Well played haha

[Stay Golden]

Ward wins the CP bold prediction hands down.
I think the Flames have improved their G and D but secondary scoring and forward depth when Monahan gets key'd in on is going to be the Flames biggest obstacle. Johnny will provide some excitement but it is going to be quite awhile with the big 3 CA teams CHI, STL COL being locks on the playoffs. DAL and MIN can't count them out.
Even once the Flames become deep once again. How many of these teams are really going to slide anytime soon.

[AcGold]

It could happen. One of Minnesota or Dallas need to lose their captain for a while and Calgary needs all of Byron, Bouma, Johnny, Monahan and Raymond to overachieve. We need everything to go right for it to happen, Glencross would have to start working, Giordano needs to stay at his peak levels.

[gvitaly]

Its just a way to generate more headline, gain fans and attention. Obviously he succeeded. I doubt he would be willing to put his money on the Flames making the playoffs...

Any significant injury to Giordano and we will be fighting for 30th.

[#-3]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

The problem with this list of 8 teams, is that 5 of them are in one division. It's completely not out of the question that one of those five gets crushed enough by it's own division that there is a wild card spot open for a fourth team in the Pacific Division to make the playoffs, especially when that fourth place pacific team has a higher percentage of games against terrible teams like Edmonton & Calgary.

FYP

[Gaskal]

So, it's November now, and I thought I'd dust this thread off in style.

[REDVAN]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

So, it's November now, and I thought I'd dust this thread off in style.

[ToraToraTora]

Stop tempting fate!

[Kaine]

Originally Posted by Moneyhands23

If they make the playoffs I'll eat Wards pubes..

Quoted because I can see this coming in handy...

[Falclore]

Originally Posted by Moneyhands23

If they make the playoffs I'll eat Wards pubes..

Its November, but I wonder if Moneyhands23 is starting to get a little worried??? Start stocking up on dental floss now!

[djsFlames]

I don't see why people think his opinion is ridiculous/unlikely.

San Jose isn't playing very well. They're getting beat by not so great teams. Whether they turn on the jets early enough to vault themselves is to be seen. Minnesota isn't producing offensively like they were. The Avs have taken a clear step back. Tell me how that doesn't leave room for the Flames to squeak in? They're 5 games above .500. They'll need to be 10-12 games above by season's end to make the dance. So they're half way there in terms of W/L differential. Both goaltenders have proven capable of winning and stealing games. We're winning WITH a handful of regulars out, who will be well rested and back before these kids run out of steam.

Just because we're operating under the title of "rebuild" it's still just a title slapped on the team. It doesn't take playoffs out of the realm of possibility. If we extend this winning streak we're on now enough games, then we won't even have to play stellar later because we'll have built up a statistical cushion.

I'm on board with Ward.

Edit: HAHA wow. Never mind. This is old..explains so much. Well good on Ward for going out on a limb like that.