As the core stands now, do you believe it has cup potential?

[Coach]

Yes. Johnny Gaudreau is as much of a game-breaking force as any other "generational talent" IMO.

I predict the next 5 years are good for Flames fans.

[debil]

No. We dont have dominant puck possession #1 center and no legit #1 RW. other lines are k and defense is ok in terms of top end talent.

[GranteedEV]

Potential is there but the lack of a #1C hurts. Backlund is a high end two-way 2C, Monahan is a high-end scoring 2C, and Bennett is a young two-way C with 1C upside, and Jankowski is a great prospect but that all adds up into no #1C.

[FireGilbert]

Wow, Monahan gets no respect. 14th in goals for centremen this season. Does that not count as a #1?

[Moneyhands23]

I think the biggest question mark is in goal.

If Gillies or Parsons can develope into a top 10-15 Goalie then I think we will get multipul shots at the cup.

Thing is these days even a good/great team isnt guranteed a cup.

For example Washington seems to be a bridesmaid every year.

[JohnnyB]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

Wow, Monahan gets no respect. 14th in goals for centremen this season. Does that not count as a #1?

He's a number one C, just not an elite number one C. He's still got time to evolve and may have some elite seasons though.

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by JohnnyB

He's a number one C, just not an elite number one C. He's still got time to evolve and may have some elite seasons though.

I look forward to 26 year old monahan. He has improved every year and I beleive this will continue.

[Rick M.]

I'd like to see us add a right winger with breakaway speed who can finish.

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

I'd like to see us add a right winger with breakaway speed who can finish.

Ideally one thats 6'2 and 220lbs

[driveway]

Calgary is a legitimate dark horse this year. We have the best defensive pair in the league, a legitimately great shutdown line, and a quality first line.

What's missing is depth the bottom six and the D behind Brodie need a little bit of shoring up. Guys like Lazar, Shinkaruk, Jankowski stepping into contributing roles and Anderson, Kylington and Hickey plus two good and one great UFA signing and we're in multiple division championship perennial contender territory for 5-6 years.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Moneyhands23

Ideally one thats 6'2 and 220lbs

MacKinnon would be nice.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

Wow, Monahan gets no respect. 14th in goals for centremen this season. Does that not count as a #1?

There's more to being a dominant centre than scoring goals. Most Cup contending teams have a top-flight two-way centre, someone who not only puts up points, but who can shut down opposing top lines. Monahan has to round out his game before he's in the same league as a Bergeron, Toews, or Getzlaf. In fact, I'd rate Backlund as a better all-around centre than Monahan.

[Flash Walken]

Flames are still missing some offensive pop in the top 6. Bottom third in the league in 5-5 scoring tells me there is still an offensive weapon missing for the team.

21st in 5-5 scoring compared to 8th on the powerplay tells me that the Flames skill players are capable enough of being a high-scoring team, but there just aren't enough skill players in the lineup to fill out the rest of the 5-5 minutes.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

There's more to being a dominant centre than scoring goals. Most Cup contending teams have a top-flight two-way centre, someone who not only puts up points, but who can shut down opposing top lines. Monahan has to round out his game before he's in the same league as a Bergeron, Toews, or Getzlaf. In fact, I'd rate Backlund as a better all-around centre than Monahan.

Johnny is more the playmaker, and Sean is the trigger-man. A reversal of the usual Winger-Center dynamic?

[Johnny Rotten]

When Boston won in 2011, their top scoring centre, David Krejci had 62 points, and Bergeron (who is maybe the best two-way centre as we all know), scored 57 points.

I think they're fine down the middle now, with potential for improvement. (THere's depth there.)

Here are the bigger questions that have already been covered: Who will be the number one goalie over the next few years, and how are the wingers and defense going to look.

[belsarius]

Originally Posted by driveway

Calgary is a legitimate dark horse this year. We have the best defensive pair in the league, a legitimately great shutdown line, and a quality first line.

What's missing is depth the bottom six and the D behind Brodie need a little bit of shoring up. Guys like Lazar, Shinkaruk, Jankowski stepping into contributing roles and Anderson, Kylington and Hickey plus two good and one great UFA signing and we're in multiple division championship perennial contender territory for 5-6 years.

I disagree with bolded. I love Ferland, but I don't know that he makes a quality first line, which is inconsistent at best. They streak for 15 games and go cold for 5. Over the regular season that works just fine for them getting 60+ points but can be a killer in a 7 game series.

And depth I think is one of the Flames strong suits. Versteeg is a very strong third line player who can put up points and has playoff experience. Brouwer has underperformed, but again as a third liner he is a better quality player than most. Bennett is a wildcard that has been trending up so I think we have a great third line compared to others. Fourth line can also chip in goals with Bouma and Chaisson, and Stajan is pretty solid defensive performer.

I am much more worried about the top line being shut down and going cold than I am from getting production from the bottom 6.

[Johnny Makarov]

Originally Posted by Johnny Rotten

When Boston won in 2011, their top scoring centre, David Krejci had 62 points, and Bergeron (who is maybe the best two-way centre as we all know), scored 57 points.

I think they're fine down the middle now, with potential for improvement. (THere's depth there.)

Here are the bigger questions that have already been covered: Who will be the number one goalie over the next few years, and how are the wingers and defense going to look.

Not only that, they had the worst power play in the NHL! They would have won the cup in 16 games if they had a pp that didn't resemble one runned by Rich Preston.

[Par]

I think the Flames need two good top 6 players, a good RW to play on the top line and another very good top 6 forward to play with Bennett. Hopefully one comes from within(Janko) and one has to come through trade or signing.

If you look at the Pens they don't really have a shutdown D man, so the Flames are ok on D but some upgrades may be needed, hopefully they come from with in.

Goaltending long term is question mark but hope fully one of the goalie in the system grabs it. If Elliott plays the same way as he did in the second half of the season, than we should be good.

[Iceman90]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Yes. Just have to get the other pieces that are needed and we're going to be an elite team. Just a matter of going out and getting those pieces.

Often easier said than done, my friend.

[DJones]

We have an outside shot this year and next year I think we will be a legitimate contender.

Get a RW rental at the TDL and we can add Jankowski and Ferland to our bottom 6. That's a gigantic improvement and I'd put it against any teams.

Jankowski - Bennett - Ferland

And I also have faith that we will sort out our bottom pairing for the first time. If Andersson can make that jump we will have a very dangerous team.