Bob McKenzie on the Flames

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by Cole436

Ok let's calm down here.
Let's make the playoffs first, and win at least one Stanley Cup before discussing the "D" word.

Hey now, it's not a matter of when we win the cup it's a matter of how many we win

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Jacks

Hey now, it's not a matter of when we win the cup it's a matter of how many we win

It's basic math.

[Regular_John]

I'm gonna put my eggs in the "we'll make the playoffs next season" basket. I honestly think this season is possible, but I'm not getting my hopes up, it's just too early in the season.

[MillerTime GFG]

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

Love seeing credible analysts giving praise. Best of all, its only going to get better and if the flames stay the course, we might not be far off from speaking about a dynasty.

Jets4life disagrees. There can only be one dynasty.

[ThatsRobbery]

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.

Its also real big if Sven can get his $&@# together and become the top-6 forward we hope he can be. That makes for some great scoring depth

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

If McKenzie says it I consider it gospel. Very few understand the game of hockey better than him.

As is the case here, McKenzie rarely makes a black and white statement. He's thrown out a bunch of maybes and inconclusive statements and somehow this qualifies as "gospel"? Chalk me up as extremely unimpressed. At least give people something they can chew on if you're going to discuss the team.

Everyone going off the deep end here needs to take a step back and realize the team is a little over a month into the season. It's great they are playing inspired, competitive hockey and are potentially on the uptick way ahead of schedule. The key being potentially. Rebuilds take a few years for a reason.

[CliffFletcher]

[FlamesAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Transcript from TSN 1050

http://www.nicholsonhockey.com/worth...amic-of-flames

"everybody is buying in to how to play without the puck, playing a hard game, be that hard team to play against"

That there is by far the biggest thing for me. Everyone, from some of the veterans that I thought might take a step back once the team went into rebuild mode right up to the guys who will likely be our future franchise players, is buying in.

It's creating a great culture and identity for the team that everyone will benefit from now and going forward.

[#-3]

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)

I think there is argument to be made that our pieces could come together like the Hawks.
So People are saying
Toews could = Monahan
Gaudreau could = Kane
I guess Bennett could = Sharp
Gio & Brodie = Keith & Seabrook
It looks possible that we could have a steady stream of good young players coming for the next few years
We still need to find our Hossa, I'm not sure that Raymond, Colborne, or Hudler will ever be that good.


But the Pens are a pretty unfair comparison.
As much as I like Monahan, Gaudreau & Bennett. I do not see any point in time where we will be able to stat that 2 of them are top 3 forwards in the league hands down.
Fluery has been a hot/cold relationship. But there has never been a question where their goaltending would come from throughout their "dynasty". I'm still not sure where ours will come from 2,3,4 years down the road. reclaimation projects like Hiller can fall apart just as fast as they rise. And Ortio/Gillies are far from blue chippers.

But lets all remember that could is an important word in this.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by #-3

I think there is argument to be made that our pieces could come together like the Hawks.
So People are saying
Toews could = Monahan
Gaudreau could = Kane
I guess Bennett could = Sharp
Gio & Brodie = Keith & Seabrook
It looks possible that we could have a steady stream of good young players coming for the next few years
We still need to find our Hossa, I'm not sure that Raymond, Colborne, or Hudler will ever be that good.


But the Pens are a pretty unfair comparison.
As much as I like Monahan, Gaudreau & Bennett. I do not see any point in time where we will be able to stat that 2 of them are top 3 forwards in the league hands down.
Fluery has been a hot/cold relationship. But there has never been a question where their goaltending would come from throughout their "dynasty". I'm still not sure where ours will come from 2,3,4 years down the road. reclaimation projects like Hiller can fall apart just as fast as they rise. And Ortio/Gillies are far from blue chippers.

But lets all remember that could is an important word in this.

The goaltending is the issue in getting to the next level (and I like Hiller). I don't think any team can count on a goalie in the system to be that guy. It's always seemed to me that it's the position with the biggest bust ratio out of junior. The Flames have had so many top junior goalies in the system that didn't pan out. Then they go get a third string goalie from San Jose and wow.

[#-3]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

The goaltending is the issue in getting to the next level (and I like Hiller). I don't think any team can count on a goalie in the system to be that guy. It's always seemed to me that it's the position with the biggest bust ratio out of junior. The Flames have had so many top junior goalies in the system that didn't pan out. Then they go get a third string goalie from San Jose and wow.

I agree, I think we should just stop drafting goalies, and pick up every cast off from California. For some reason that State has had all of the goalie luck for 15+ years.

Andersen, Jones & Niemi, will all probably be traded away in the next 2 years

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by #-3

I agree, I think we should just stop drafting goalies, and pick up every cast off from California. For some reason that State has had all of the goalie luck for 15+ years.

Andersen, Jones & Niemi, will all probably be traded away in the next 2 years

I continue to be PO'd that the Flames had Jones under their noses for 3 years and didn't even think about a late round pick or a PTO.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I continue to be PO'd that the Flames had Jones under their noses for 3 years and didn't even think about a late round pick or a PTO.

How do you know they didn't want him as a tryout but he chose to go to LA instead?

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

How do you know they didn't want him as a tryout but he choose to go to LA instead?

Well if they did everyone sure kept it a secret. No one has ever suggested he had other offers, let alone the Flames.

And they could have drafted him in the 6th or 7th round.

[waner]

Originally Posted by 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.

McKenzie was pretty harsh on the Oilers in the past two preview shows that TSN did. He had them last in the conference both times and said they had a lot to prove. Not sure how he was on the Edmonton is building something special train. He seemed to always be skeptical that they could put it all together.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Well if they did everyone sure kept it a secret. No one has ever suggested he had other offers, let alone the Flames.

And they could have drafted him in the 6th or 7th round.

All I am saying is that every year the Flames do invite a lot of players, and sometimes are turned down because players decide to go other teams camps.

As for drafting him 6th or 7th round keep in mind the other 29 teams didn't either.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

All I am saying is that every year the Flames do invite a lot of players, and sometimes are turned down because players decide to go other teams camps.

As for drafting him 6th or 7th round keep in mind the other 29 teams didn't either.

Sure but the Flames brass had a more unique opportunity to see him a lot, and know that his play, even as a backup on the Hitmen, was phenominal.

[Mister Yamoto]

Originally Posted by #-3

I agree, I think we should just stop drafting goalies,

I've been saying this for years. Let the 29 other teams spend millions on signing bonuses and professional coaching. Then when these goalies get caught up in a numbers game just pick one up.

18 is too young to get a proper read on most prospects, with goalies it is much more so.

Some say never draft a goalie in round 1, I say never draft a goalie.

[ForeverFlameFan]

It doesn't hurt to draft a goalie, just don't be drafting one every single year.

[Vinny01]

one thing that has me extremely excited is we still have Bennett to join this team next year (maybe even this year) and I truly believe he will be our best player in 3-5 years. Monahan and Johnny already look like the real deal and I also believe Porier could also be a first line winger. Adding 2 prospects like Bennett and Porier who play the gritty, fast style the Flames want is huge going into next season. In addition the way Granlund has played leads me to believe he is now a NHLer which could theoretically make Backlund a decent trade chip.

I feel going into next offseason the Flames will have enough assets and cap space to swing some very nice trades that will project most in the hockey world to view the team as a playoff contender next year