Is this a playoff team?

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Though we would all love to have a McDavid or Eichel in the system, it isn't critical to becoming a cup winner. How many teams in the NHL have a Tavares-type franchise player in the system?

well Anahaim has Perry, LA has Kopitar, Chicago has Toews/Kane.... so yes I do think top teams have those guys.

Saying that...... I realize the ship has sailed for us for getting that No 1 pick, the Oil Tankers probably have their lower trophy locked up and I'm sure a lot of bottom teams will take all those good % spots.... oh wells, hope they keep sucking anyways.

On topic - this team can definately contend. I think Minny is still in contention too, and Winnipeg and SJ can be knocked out. If its 2/4, the homer side of me says it will be Calgary and SJ. One thing is for sure, all games against SJ, Minny and Winnipeg are the biggest games of the year.

[Igster]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

well Anahaim has Perry, LA has Kopitar, Chicago has Toews/Kane.... so yes I do think top teams have those guys.

But the Flames have players like Monahan who will be close to those IMO, as well as Bennett and Johnny. They'll be fine with another half decent pick from a deep draft, even if they don't get either of the top 2.

[saillias]

Wow someone doesn't think much of what we have. If not even one of Monahan, Gaudreau or Bennett reaches the level of a Kopitar or Perry class player it's gonna be a long rebuild. That's the kind of talent you need to just make the playoffs.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

I may want to change my vote to "happy the rebuild is going well", as they are still playing reasonably well but not getting results. The exception to me was the Ranger game, where they were giving up way too many chances. Sure, a little unlucky with the close calls, but the outmanned situations and chasing in our own zone was really bad.
We'll get back in the win column, but I would not be too surprised if we end up in the sub .500 range the rest of the way. Will still net a good prospect and another block in the rebuild. Won't likely outsuck Edm/Car/Ari, but there are some middling teams that might pass us. Hard to get a read on Dal/Phi/Ott, but I think we will end up somewhere in the bottom 5-10.

[sa226]

In a roundabout way, in the long run it may be good for the team to have had that early success this year, only to struggle in the second half.

For the first time in this very young rebuild, there were expectations. People were talking about how good the Flames actually are. They were the early cinderella story.

But realistically. It shouldn't be that easy. This is the NHL. A first year Gaudreau, a second year Monahan and a come out of nowhere Jooris shouldn't really be among the top 5 forwards on a playoff bound team. That doesn't mean they aren't good and on their way to being great players, its just that it doesn't really happen that fast unless you are among the select few great players in the game.

That's why Treliving's cautious tone resonated for me. The early success has been exciting, but stay the course. Protect the youngsters, groom the culture and don't mortgage the future. Anything on top of that is just gravy.

My only gear grinder is the inevitable "I told you so's" That will definitely stick in my craw.

The season isn't even half over yet, there are many stories yet to be written. What is awesome is that win or lose it's still a fun team to watch.

[Kipper is King]

The vets came back, and the team lost it's youthful energy and confidence almost instantly.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by saillias

Wow someone doesn't think much of what we have. If not even one of Monahan, Gaudreau or Bennett reaches the level of a Kopitar or Perry class player it's gonna be a long rebuild. That's the kind of talent you need to just make the playoffs.

You mean a 3 of the top 10 (arguable top 5) players in the league, Perry who is a MVP and top scorer in the NHL, and Kopitar could easily be a playoff MVP ?

Its no slight to any of those guys..... in fact, I really like Monahan and he's had a incredible 2nd year, but these guys are still young and haven't proven anything yet. They have potential and will probably be really good NHLers, but I just stay on the side of cautious rather then just expect all 3 to become MVP.

[Split98]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

You mean a 3 of the top 10 (arguable top 5) players in the league, Perry who is a MVP and top scorer in the NHL, and Kopitar could easily be a playoff MVP ?

Its no slight to any of those guys..... in fact, I really like Monahan and he's had a incredible 2nd year, but these guys are still young and haven't proven anything yet. They have potential and will probably be really good NHLers, but I just stay on the side of cautious rather then just expect all 3 to become MVP.

All 3 becoming MVPs is silly, and I don't think that's what they were saying.

But should Flames fans be blamed for thinking one of Bennett, Gaudreau or Monahan will be of that calibre? Not at all. All the pieces are there for each of those guys to be league leaders.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Split98

All 3 becoming MVPs is silly, and I don't think that's what they were saying.

But should Flames fans be blamed for thinking one of Bennett, Gaudreau or Monahan will be of that calibre? Not at all. All the pieces are there for each of those guys to be league leaders.

who am I blaming? I did not blame anyone at all; in fact, its the other way around, and someone is critical that I am cautious with expectations (which is well within their right as well).

I'm just saying that I'm not counting on them to be that good... if they are, awesome, and I wouldn't be surprised. But at the present moment, I don't think they will be. They are good (in the case of Monahan, damn good, and IMO has a good shot of being as good as Kopitar) but its one thing to have a lot of promise and talent and potential..... but to execute and be that clutch guy when every single top defenseman puts a target on your back? It'll be tough.... Johnny is already starting to get keyed on, though I'm sure he'll adapt...... if you're good, other teams will take notice and try to shut you down. In the mean time, it would be nice to stockpile game breaking talent...... though I fully realize we are not going to be a lottery team this year.

[#-3]

I think the Flames first 1/3 was so successful they will be in a group with Win / Min fighting the 8 - 10 spot no mater what, and there is the possibility, Nash, Vas, LA, or SJ could fall back into that group as well opening up more playoff spots those 3 team could fight for.

It won't stay this bad much longer, and there are 4 teams (Edm, Col, Dal, Ari) in the conference that are far enough behind they will not catch the Flames.

So I still think they are on the bubble, but expectations aren't that high yet. If they counter this losing streak by winning 12 or 14 I might get my expectations back up again.

[bluck]

Kind of interesting to see where people's opinions were back in November with less then 5% saying they believed the Flames were a playoff team. I wonder what the results would be if re did that poll today.

Also does anyone know what the Flames chances to make the playoffs were as of today? I thought I saw somewhere that it was around 65% but I can't find that post

[malcolmk14]

I voted way too early to tell before, and I'd vote it again.

[dammage79]

I am one of the 29!

[skudr248]

I was part of that less than 5%, SUPPORT!

[BACKCHECK!!!]

I'm still just happy that the rebuild is going well.

[chubeyr1]

I voted the wheels will come off. Gio's hurt, were done!

Yet I don't think that is the end of it. Gio is a huge huge huge part of this team, yet I think this team can up their game to be without the captain for a few weeks.

This team is currently in the playoffs last I checked. On paper they shouldn't be. Picked dead last by the odds makers. Everything against them and they still perform. Losing Gio will hurt, but can you imagine what happens if we make the playoffs only to have Gio return? Huge boost for the team, huge!

If we make the playoffs look out. We can be eliminated in 4 games straight and quite frankly that would be expected. Something tells me this team does not know that they are suppose to lose to the more skilled teams.

Either way, year two of the rebuild, were talking playoffs. Were blessed. The pipeline has more great prospects coming. Rebuilds should be 4 or 5 years, were at year two. This season is already a WIN!

Would of been nice to get McDavid though lol!

[Mr.Coffee]

If Giordano is injured, I don't believe there's a candlelight's chance in the windy arctic Calgary makes playoffs. And even if they do, you better pray to whatever you pray to he's back for playoffs, or that will be just an 86 game season instead of 82.

Proud to be one of the 5% who voted in November (hehehe), but with no Gio, it's dicey for sure. And by dicey I mean 0% chance.

[It's a great day 4 hockey]

Originally Posted by It's a great day 4 hockey

If we stay in the mix until Feb I'll consider this season a success. The schedule for us in Feb is a kamikazes wet dream. 12 games in 26 nights. Wpg, SJ, Pit, SJ, LA, Van, Bos, Min, Ana, NYR, NJ, and NYI. If they can be 12 games above .500 before this stretch and play .500 hockey in Feb than I think we'll make the playoffs.

Injuries to any key players (Hiller, Gio, T.J. , Johnny Hockey) make this projection next to impossible. Having stated all this the best answer I can give is... wait a second I need to change the batteries in my magic 8-ball.

Pretty close with my answer. If Gio only misses a couple of games it's a coin flip to get in.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

If Giordano is injured, I don't believe there's a candlelight's chance in the windy arctic Calgary makes playoffs. And even if they do, you better pray to whatever you pray to he's back for playoffs, or that will be just an 86 game season instead of 82.

Proud to be one of the 5% who voted in November (hehehe), but with no Gio, it's dicey for sure. And by dicey I mean 0% chance.

This team has risen above injuries before and I expect they will do it again. If Gio is out for some time I could see Treliving picking up a dman at the deadline for insurance. Then there's prospects like Wotherspoon on the farm that could help us.

Don't be too quick to count the Flames out.

[IgiTang]

This season has been huge success! The kids got to play and are continuing to play in meaningful games and we're almost at march.

No sophomore jynx for Monahan.

Our top D pair are considered arguably the best in the NHL. Goaltending has been solid and we have 3 NHL quality goalies. Nice problem to have.

And we are still in the race. With a month and a half to play.

Huge success!

Reality... This team is not ready. Will they be next year? Perhaps. But not this season. Teams are getting better and starting to play their best hockey and rightfully so.

The Flames will become more constant with 60 minute games but when you have payrolls and names that the Kings, Wild and Jets have, you have to consider that it just isn't their time yet.

Exciting as hell and I couldn't be more proud to be a Flames fan right now. But I have to have a reality check before I'm likely heartbroken come April 17th.

Don't get me wrong though. I sincerely hope I am far off and this group hoists Lord Stanley's mug this year... But... I have a feeling getting an extra 4 games for this team this year will be like winning a cup in itself.