Bob McKenzie on the Flames

[Travis Munroe]

fine... got a little excited and the Edmonton comparison is true....

So IF our youth keeps excelling and get to be the player that is expected and we win a few cups - we have the pieces to create a Dynasty......
I retract my previous statements lol.

[jg13]

Poirier and Bennett have potential to be serious impact players next year too, i'm very excited about how things are turning out.

[djsFlames]

Yeah, at this point, I think we're fast tracking this rebuild. With these injuries, lots of kids are getting experience, too. And it's exposing just how deep our talent pool is. There are a lot of NHLers in this system.

I'm about 80% positive that we see a playoff round by next season at the latest with the direction these kids and the team are heading.

Gaudreau, Monahan, Bennett, Poirier, Granlund, (a healthy) Backlund, Brodie, Wotherspoon, Gio all in the lineup next season? I hope they extend Hiller and this should be a REALLY fun ride the next few years.

[calf]

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

DYNASTY

And I say that seriously. Not this year, not next but with our pieces, we don't look much different than the hawks or pens once they got started.

Our lineup on paper in 4 years from now could literally have 5 players selected to the all star game (assuming no limit to players per team)

There might not be an all star game limit, but only 4 can be inducted into the Hall of Fame in one year (assuming they all retire at the same time).

[nik-]

"Overly high expectations lead to disappointment, disappointment leads to suffering, suffering leads to the Dark Side"
- Gandalf

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Originally Posted by _Q_

But but... Fenwick and even strength shot attempts and and... Umm PDO.... McKenzie doesn't discuss that. Clearly he's out to lunch.

I do wish these cynical jabs would end.

[FlameZilla]

McKenzie has a lot of love for Monahan there. I have to agree and add that he's looked like a poised veteran centre since he became the team's only (healthy) centre.

I hope they keep this up. I'd be so ecstatic (and very surprised) if we make the playoffs.

[Hugh Jahrmes]

The fact that Edmonton and Colorado are horrible is the cherry on top.

Not sure I'll ever forgive Colorado for the blatant mackinnon dive.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

DYNASTY

And I say that seriously. Not this year, not next but with our pieces, we don't look much different than the hawks or pens once they got started.

Our lineup on paper in 4 years from now could literally have 5 players selected to the all star game (assuming no limit to players per team)

We thought we had half of a Olympics blueline, another year where we had 4 players who had 75+ points that year, Iginla was supposed to be the next Yzerman/Sakic, and arguably the best goalie in the world... and we could never make it out of the 1st round.

It is rediculously hard to be a Cup contender, forget dynasty. Its nice that we have a few nice pieces, but a lot of teams have a few nice pieces. Don't get me wrong, I like our future, but it takes more then a few promising young player to be a contender, much less a dynasty.

[HelloHockeyFans]

Injuries will always happen and when they do, they always present opportunities for the younger players to step up if they're up to it.

Monahan's been forced into a number one role, matching up against opposing teams' top lines and best defencemen and he's answered the call as a 20-year old kid with 1-year NHL experience. Great to see and it's something that will definitely speed up his development curve.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

Iginla was supposed to be the next Yzerman/Sakic,

Really? Iginla was supposed to morph into a franchise centre?

Always with the subtle digs at Igggy. Jarome was exactly as advertised and one of the greatest forwards of his generation. He certainly wasn't at fault for the team not turning into a dynasty.

[burnitdown]

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

DYNASTY

And I say that seriously. Not this year, not next...

Not this year, not next...because it takes at least 4-5 strong years of winning before a team can be considered a dynasty?

[StrykerSteve]

Originally Posted by Hugh Jahrmes

The fact that Edmonton and Colorado are horrible is the cherry on top.

Not sure I'll ever forgive Colorado for the blatant mackinnon dive.

One could suggest they're repeating history for McDavid.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by jg13

Poirier and Bennett have potential to be serious impact players next year too, i'm very excited about how things are turning out.

Absolutely.

Both are dynamic offensive players as well.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by nik-

"Overly high expectations lead to disappointment, disappointment leads to suffering, suffering leads to the Dark Side"
- Gandalf

So... you are predicting the return of the black horse head jersey?

[Enoch Root]

I thought Mackenzie hit the nail on the head: it isn't just hard work, there is talent there. Giordano and Brodie are playing crazy-good right now. And Monahan has gotten better every game since he became the de facto go-to guy. And Gaudreau adds a dimension that changes the whole chemistry and impact of the team, he is the proverbial straw.

It is sure making it a lot more fun to be waiting through a rebuild.

But please, let's not get too far ahead of ourselves and piss off the hockey gods, okay?

[Split98]

I have honestly been waiting to hear McKenzie's take on all of this. He doesn't jump to an analysis for attention like some people, and very rarely do I disagree with anything he says. He's been proven wrong, I'm sure, but when he speaks or writes it is usually gold.

And he has never said this about the Flames, this is huge.

To think about what we have in the pipe still, the cap room we have, the couple expendable players around and the strides Monahan and Gaudreau still have to take? My goodness, I'm excited.

Let's also not forget about Backlund. He is going to be a gigantic part of this team going forward. In the playoffs for years to come guys like him are what win you championships.

[flamesfever]

I think our success to date has depended, in large part, on the stellar play of Hiller, and the confidence he generates in the team. I think this has allowed the more elite level players the freedom to play a more gutsy style of hockey.

[CaptainCrunch]

Its funny because BM has long been on the generic Flames can't score, Edmonton is building something special up there train, when neither was true.

Good to see him turn around.

[united]

Originally Posted by _Q_

But but... Fenwick and even strength shot attempts and and... Umm PDO.... McKenzie doesn't discuss that. Clearly he's out to lunch.

The same McKenzie who devoted an entire chapter in his book to those three stats, and has said in numerous interviews he uses them constantly and has the websites that track them open while he watches games.

Perhaps my favourite Bob McKenzie quote regarding the debate:
I shake my head sometimes at the trading of barbs between the #fancystats believers and non-believers. At times, it reminds me of the dynamic in society between creationists and the scientific community, though obviously on a much lower, more secular level.