What are your expectations for the 2016/2017 Flames?

[Hatter]

Stopping a puck once in a while would be a plus. I think the rest of the team is reasonably well positioned.

[Demetric]

Originally Posted by skudr248

Always this!

[ComixZone]

4-0-0 Vs. Oilers
4-0-0 Vs. Canucks

Everything else will take care of itself.

[StrykerSteve]

Originally Posted by JonDuke

Who's "their" goalie? Who did we draft at 6?
Probably best to wait and see who is taken from both those options before making any bold predictions as it's pretty hard to have expectations with an incomplete roster.

They'll sign two goalies, that's all we know for sure. Have faith whoever those names happen to be, it'll be an upgrade over last season's train wreck.

As for the draft, whoever they select at 6th won't be on the Flames next season, so the player shouldn't matter at this point for short term expectations.

[Frank MetaMusil]

This is a playoff team if it gets even average NHL goaltending.

[bigrangy]

be in the playoff race in April
have good fancy stats
win one game in anaheim

[Caged Great]

They will play 82 games in the regular season.

[StrykerSteve]

Originally Posted by bigrangy

win one game in anaheim

Let's try to keep things realistic here.

[edslunch]

I thought with the addition of Hamilton and Frolik, a full year of Bennett, and no major subtractions that they would finish last year about the same as the year before but more convincingly. Goaltending and other stuff took care of that fantasy.

This year I expect goaltending to be better (don't know who it is yet but it can't be worse) and expect defence to be better due to coaching and a full year of Kevin/Nakladal. Offence will be down - less risky play, missing Hudler & Russell. Coaching to be better, and younger guys to continue to develop. Overall I expect them compete for a playoff spot, my prediction is 3rd in the Pacific.

[Par]

Should we not wait for this until after July 1 and then we will see how the Flames roster looks and how the other teams look.

[dissentowner]

Who knows? I learned a long time ago predicting how the standings or where teams will finish is a fools game. Every year there are a few teams you think are serious contenders that just suck and vice versa.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

At the very least, to be better than the Oilers.

Way to set the bar. This is akin to expecting the team to "ice a full roster in 82 games."

[drewtastic]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Way to set the bar. This is akin to expecting the team to "ice a full roster in 82 games."

Remember when that didn't happen, though? #precedent

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by drewtastic

Remember when that didn't happen, though? #precedent

That was funny. Or tragic.

As for my own expectations it has to be the playoffs. This team is MUCH better than where they placed last year, and they are certain to get better goaltending this year. I will be legitimately disappointed with a finish outside of the wildcards.

[dammage79]

If this team can get a goalie of some good standing, playoffs and the rise of a contender. If they end up grasping at some straws, a strong season of development.