Looking at the West after free agency

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

to the first bold...

Brodie-Hamonic = Klefbom-Larsson

A case can be made either way. I would argue that Brodie and Hamonic are better today than the Oiler pair, just by sheer virtue of being in their primes. The Oiler duo may pass them at some point, but aren't better today.

In other words, Calgary's 2nd pair is roughly equal to Edomonton's top pair. Then the Flames also have one of the best pairs in the NHL to go along with them. Think about that.

To the 2nd bold... lol

Please keep stating this loudly, until Draisaitl gets signed. Then you might want to take a closer look at what he accomplishes when not on McDavid's line.

At this moment in time, Draisaitl might be the most over-rated player in the NHL (which is awesome for contract reasons). Take a look at some of the goals he scored in the playoffs - Gibson practically jumped out of the way every time Draisaitl shot the puck.

Please Chia, give him $9M per.

Since this is a prediction thread... I predict the Flames will get more than 100 points and the Oilers will get less than 100 points.

id prefer Klefbom/Larrson, but its close and the Flames 2nd pairing being a good first pairing level doesnt take away from the point about the Oilers having a good 1st pairing. Both are probaly top 15 pairings overall in the league next year

Not sure I saw Gibson purposely avoiding the puck in the playoffs but I'll keep an eye on it in future.

Draisatl put up good numbers away from McDavid as well, in the regular season 5 on 5 he played just over half his time away from him and he actually scored more goals on his own.

I can't think of any forward that a team in the pacific wouldn't trade straight up for him

the point totals wouldn't shock me, like I said I think the top 3 are all even right now

[-TC-]

Based on what's already happened, I've bet $100 that Calgary will finish ahead of Edmonton in the regular season and $100 that Calgary will go deeper in the playoffs tha Edmonton.

I feel pretty good about both.

[djsFlames]

I think the Flames will trade places with the Oilers and place 2nd in the Pacific. But not a top 2 western team yet.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Weitz

They only have 1 more B2B this year as opposed to last (11 to 10). 10 Afternoon games is interesting though.

I see the Oilers finishing about where the did last year. Battling in the top 3 of the division.

I was talking about playing tired teams on the 2nd half of b2b's not their own b2b's. Last year it was like 20% of their games...anyway yeah they could easily be 1-3 in the pacific, just saying they are a candidate to regress IMO. Not to mention the fate of the entire team rests in the hands of 2 guys, one injury away from disaster.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

I think the Flames will trade places with the Oilers and place 2nd in the Pacific. But not a top 2 western team yet.

The difference between 2nd in the Pacific and 2nd in the West was 3 points last season

[Table 5]

While there are a lot of things that have to go right again for the Oilers, one thing to keep in mind is that if McDavid truly is the King of Kin---err, I mean the next Crosby, then he will most likely will get better too this year. So while some players may regress, he'll probably even that out.

Draisaitl I could see coming back down to earth a bit individually, but playing with McDavid may mitigate that. I think Talbot was steady enough last year to convince me he's a solid #1, so I don't see him regressing noticeably. It was a shrewd pickup, and you have to give them that.

Either way, it should be a fun battle in Alberta this year. If we get anywhere close to average goaltending throughout the year, I do give the edge to the Flames. But it's far from a sure thing.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Table 5

While there are a lot of things that have to go right again for the Oilers, one thing to keep in mind is that if McDavid truly is the King of Kin---err, I mean the next Crosby, then he will most likely will get better too this year. So while some players may regress, he'll probably even that out...

Crosby's second NHL season was statistically the best year of his entire career, and he was playing about 21 mins per game that year. McDavid also played a little over 21 mins/game on average this season, and is only the seventh player since 2005–06 to score 100 points. I suppose he could be better, but I can't imagine it will be by much. Rather, I fully expect that a small regression would be normal following what probably counts as one of the best individual regular seasons of the past decade.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Crosby's second NHL season was statistically the best year of his entire career, and he was playing about 21 mins per game that year. McDavid also played a little over 21 mins/game on average this season, and is only the seventh player since 2005–06 to score 100 points. I suppose he could be better, but I can't imagine it will be by much. Rather, I fully expect that a small regression would be normal following what probably counts as one of the best individual regular seasons of the past decade.

I think if we're only going by points, than perhaps McDavid doesn't get over 100 again. Many forwards peak early in terms of pure production. But I would say Crosby definitely improved as an overall player beyond his second season, and so one would assume McDavid can improve his game too.

Crosby did have 5 seasons of 100+ points, so if McDavid truly is the next Crosby, then one would expect he'll have a few more of those himself. Personally I think McDavid peaks a notch below Sidney, but I do think there's still room for improvement...especially in the playoffs.

Don't get me wrong though, I'm more than happy to see him regress.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Table 5

I think if we're only going by points, than perhaps McDavid doesn't get over 100 again. Many forwards peak early in terms of pure production. But I would say Crosby definitely improved as an overall player beyond his second season, and so one would assume McDavid can improve his game too.

Crosby did have 5 seasons of 100+ points, so if McDavid truly is the next Crosby, then one would expect he'll have a few more of those himself. Personally I think McDavid peaks a notch below Sidney, but I do think there's still room for improvement...especially in the playoffs.

Don't get me wrong though, I'm more than happy to see him regress.

I think this is probably correct. My point is to argue that while we should expect improvement from all young players, not all young players will improve to the same degree from one year to the next. Like Crosby, McDavid is already so good that he will quite likely not get dramatically better with each passing year. He should improve, and this will help his team in the long run, but probably not as much as a player like Bennett who has a tonne more room to grow in order to reach his potential—if he does in fact get there.

[Oil Stain]

The thing about McDavid is that everyone was expecting him to compete for the Art Ross.

He didn't exceed expectations. He met them.

I think regression is usually more likely for players that wildly exceed expectations like a Draisaitl, or a Tkachuk.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

The thing about McDavid is that everyone was expecting him to compete for the Art Ross.

He didn't exceed expectations. He met them.

I think regression is usually more likely for players that wildly exceed expectations like a Draisaitl, or a Tkachuk.

Tkachuk's NHLe was 46 and he put up 48. But nice deflection.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

The thing about McDavid is that everyone was expecting him to compete for the Art Ross.

He didn't exceed expectations. He met them.

I think regression is usually more likely for players that wildly exceed expectations like a Draisaitl, or a Tkachuk.

Maroon, Letestu, Klefbom, Talbot.

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Tkachuk's NHLe was 46 and he put up 48. But nice deflection.

I don't think too many fans would have predicted 50ish points for Tkachuk before the season started. He exceeded expectations.

The point is, if you say that the Oilers are due for regression from their players that had great years, you also have to apply it to Calgary players who had great years.

That's fair isn't it?

[StrykerSteve]

It's really easy in hindsight to say Smith > Elliott, but at this point last year, Elliott was viewed in a similar life-saving way. He was supposed to introduce stability to a position that's been nothing but chaos since the departure of Kiprusoff. Obviously, hindsight is 20/20, but I can't say with absolute certainty that Smith allows this team to become a true contender. Been burned too many times and am now extremely hesitant make bold claims. I will say though, that Calgary has all of the other pieces in place. If the goaltending finally stabilizes, this team should finish tops in the Pacific. Whether it actually happens though, who the heck knows.

[MarkGio]

I'll predict that the Flames win the division.

I think Bennett, Ferland and Lazar will take the next steps.

I think Smith and Lack will be solid.

Those things are enough for the Flames to kill it in the West, even if some other guys have a bad year.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

I don't think too many fans would have predicted 50ish points for Tkachuk before the season started. He exceeded expectations.



The point is, if you say that the Oilers are due for regression from their players that had great years, you also have to apply it to Calgary players who had great years.



That's fair isn't it?

Why does it have to be "fair"? Some players suffer drawbacks from one season to the next while others excel.

I along with other posters here just happen to think that McDavid, Draisaitl and Maroon will be hard pressed to repeat their impressive performances from last year. I also expect that Tkachuk may slip a bit this year, but the big difference here is that unlike McDavid and Draisaitl inEdmonton Tkachuk does not essentially account for all of the Flames offence. It is a regression that the Flames are much better equipped to absorb.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Why does it have to be "fair"? Some players suffer drawbacks from one season to the next while others excel.

I along with other posters here just happen to think that McDavid, Draisaitl and Maroon will be hard pressed to repeat their impressive performances from last year. I also expect that Tkachuk may slip a bit this year, but the big difference here is that unlike McDavid and Draisaitl inEdmonton Tkachuk does not essentially account for all of the Flames offence. It is a regression that the Flames are much better equipped to absorb.

This seems like the token position around here. "Our young guys will move forward and the other teams will regress". Tkachuk might regress but it will be picked up by others! And other players more skilled then him will regress!!

The real question is, after how many years of hearing how good Calgary's defence is, if it falters again this year will people finally question it? We know Smith will throw them under the bus cause that's what he does.

[Love]

Originally Posted by Weitz

The real question is, after how many years of hearing how good Calgary's defence is, if it falters again this year will people finally question it? We know Smith will throw them under the bus cause that's what he does.

This meme is perpetuated more by detractors trying to take fly-by jabs rather than actual Flames fans. Dougie didn't falter, Gio didn't falter and neither did Brodie, which is what Flames fans have been saying (((three great defenseman surrounded by garbage))).

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

The point is, if you say that the Oilers are due for regression from their players that had great years, you also have to apply it to Calgary players who had great years.

That's fair isn't it?

No, unlike the Oilers we didn't have the planets and stars align in order to make the playoffs.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus

Yes he is but you can't deny how dynamic Kane and Panarin were, Kane had 106 and 89 pts with him. I'm not even sure Saad played much with Kane before as I thought Sharp was on the other wing.

If Sharp can find the fountain of youth they might be ok but otherwise that lineup is a whole lot less scary to me.

Saad does not play with Kane.

Kane is in his prime, he was certainly productive before Panarim came along. Someone will reap the benefits of riding shot gun with him this year, whether it be Sharp or whomever. There is points for someone to get. Not as many as planarian got mind you, but Saad will solidify the first line with Toews.

The biggest loss Chicago will have next year is Hossa, who still played a very good all around game.