2014-15 Flames: Start of something big, or one-year fluke?

[acerbic_1]

Grapes sez Calgary doesn't get the free ride they got this year so they better work.

[Dr. Doom]

I don't care what anyone says for this team to stay on par with this season/get better next we need to:

Get better on faceoffs, a lot better
Get 1-2 top 6 forwards with experience and size that take shots on goal (I've mentioned a guy like Patrick Sharp before)
We need a bit more size up front

This is at the expense of Raymond and someone else. Bennett will stay up but he needs someone that can push him down to third line at least to start the season / until injury. And I don't mind Backlund but upgrading him somehow to a true second liner makes more sense.

Otherwise if we keep much of the same team I think we are going to find it hard to pull off so many miracles and comebacks. We had a lot go our way this season.

We need a couple guys to push the depth chart down a tad is all im saying. I think D and goaltending will be fine tbh.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Dr. Doom

I don't care what anyone says for this team to stay on par with this season/get better next we need to:

Get better on faceoffs, a lot better
Get 1-2 top 6 forwards with experience and size that take shots on goal (I've mentioned a guy like Patrick Sharp before)
We need a bit more size up front

This is at the expense of Raymond and someone else. Bennett will stay up but he needs someone that can push him down to third line. And I don't mind Backlund but upgrading him somehow to a true second liner makes more sense.

Otherwise if we keep much of the same team I think we are going to find it hard to pull off so many miracles and comebacks. We had a lot go our way this season.

We need a couple guys to push the depth chart down a tad is all im saying. I think D and goaltending will be fine tbh.

I don't think this is an extreme view and seems reasonable. What I'm hoping is that the requirements can be filled from within over the next few years and we don't need to sacrifice our future in a trade or overpay for a free agent. For example bringing Sharp to Calgary has disaster written all over it IMO. Let's be patient and draft and develop well and let our young guys earn their way up.

Disagree on D. We need more D prospects.

Last point - we also had an 8 game losing streak and average goaltending. Not everything went right all year.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Dr. Doom

I don't care what anyone says for this team to stay on par with this season/get better next we need to:

Get better on faceoffs, a lot better
Get 1-2 top 6 forwards with experience and size that take shots on goal (I've mentioned a guy like Patrick Sharp before)
We need a bit more size up front

This is at the expense of Raymond and someone else. Bennett will stay up but he needs someone that can push him down to third line. And I don't mind Backlund but upgrading him somehow to a true second liner makes more sense.

Otherwise if we keep much of the same team I think we are going to find it hard to pull off so many miracles and comebacks. We had a lot go our way this season.

We need a couple guys to push the depth chart down a tad is all im saying. I think D and goaltending will be fine tbh.

Totally agree that what you said we need is true, but I don't think Treliving should give term to UFAs or spend draft picks or depth young guys to get it.

Basically, the flames need to pick up players they can't afford the price for, so don't do it. If we miss the playoffs next year, that sucks. But that's infinitely better than giving up Granlund, a first and a second to get an aging Patrick Sharp for next year (it may cost more, I don't know)

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by acerbic_1

Grapes sez Calgary doesn't get the free ride they got this year so they better work.

I saw that as well. Kind of a back handed comment. What free ride did they get exactly? It's not like teams came into Calgary starting their backups as most would play the backup in Edmonton and the Flames would face the starter. I would think half way into the season that very few teams were expecting an easy night against the Flames.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I would think half way into the season that very few teams were expecting an easy night against the Flames.

The Flames were 22-6-1 against the Pacific Division. Clearly, those teams that played them four or five times each were totally unprepared and gave them a free ride for those fourth and fifth matchups.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I saw that as well. Kind of a back handed comment. What free ride did they get exactly? It's not like teams came into Calgary starting their backups as most would play the backup in Edmonton and the Flames would face the starter. I would think half way into the season that very few teams were expecting an easy night against the Flames.

Edmonton actually finished the year with the least number of games against a backup in the west

[Roof-Daddy]

I think it's the start of something big, but I also think the Flames may be a wee bit fortunate to get as far as they did, so quickly.

I wouldn't call it a fluke, but I wouldn't be surprised if they take a step back next season in terms of overall team success, while at the same time taking huge strides forward in terms of building towards being a perennial Stanley Cup contender.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by acerbic_1

Grapes sez Calgary doesn't get the free ride they got this year so they better work.

That's what people said last summer too.

[Buck Murdock]

Funny how Colorado having a down year has become the gold standard blue print for all teams that over achieve. So many people say the flames will be terrible next year, and their only evidence it Colorado. If you have a good year, you're doomed because of Colorado.

[CSharp]

God, I hope the Flames don't become like the Canucks where everyone knows how to play them and beat them. The team needs some bulk on defence.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by acerbic_1

Grapes sez Calgary doesn't get the free ride they got this year so they better work.

he also sez Vancouver is gonna beat them in game seven

[dino7c]

Colorado lost one of their best 2 way players and went from getting great goal tending to piss poor goal tending especially early...they didn't just fall off the face of the earth for no reason

[CSharp]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Colorado lost one of their best 2 way players and went from getting great goal tending to piss poor goal tending especially early...they didn't just fall off the face of the earth for no reason

Yup, and that answers your question about Iggy on another post

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Edmonton actually finished the year with the least number of games against a backup in the west

That's interesting. Possibly teams wanted to ensure they didn't piss away the free points by playing their backup.

[Vulcan]

I think we'll make the playoffs but if it looks like we could miss, we won't be under the same stress that Darryl and Feaster were under to make it and thus make poor decisions. It's going to be very competitive again. Having King mostly out and Burke in should keep us on track for the future. Treliving is approaching this team building very conservatively which I like.

[btimbit]

Haven't any of you talked to oilers fans? The Flames rebuild is a failure because they aren't picking top 10 In the draft.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

That's interesting. Possibly teams wanted to ensure they didn't piss away the free points by playing their backup.

this is still one of my favorite quotes ever from a few years ago

Dan Tencer

Calgary feasting on a backup goalie tonight. They've faced the backup in 10/25 games this year. In Alberta, starters face the Oilers.

[doctajones428]

Full year of Bennett, Ferland and a healthy Gio = More success

[heep223]

Originally Posted by doctajones428

Full year of Bennett, Ferland and a healthy Gio = More success

Plus continued progression from Gaudreau, Monahan, Colborne, Jooris and Brodie. And hopefully a full year from Backlund.