Expectations for 2014-15 Season

[YogiBerra]

Raymond is a downgrade from Cammaleri and Engelland is probably equal with Butler. I am not counting on Gio repeating his performance from last year either. There is a group at the bottom that is probably just as bad as us though so you who knows where we will end up.

Buffalo

Edmonton
Calgary
Ottawa
Carolina
Florida
Islanders

[saXon]

Originally Posted by YogiBerra

Raymond is a downgrade from Cammaleri and Engelland is probably equal with Butler. I am not counting on Gio repeating his performance from last year either. There is a group at the bottom that is probably just as bad as us though so you who knows where we will end up.

Buffalo

Edmonton
Calgary
Ottawa
Carolina
Florida
Islanders

I'd add the Canucks in there to be safe. They may be just as terribad as they were last season, or they may not.

A few factors still without results:
- new head coach = another new system to learn. 2 in 2 years.
- Missing 2nd line C, grit, and highest goal scorer on the team. Can Bonino fill all the potholes?
- New goaltender. Will Miller crumble under the media pressure?
- Burrows, will he repeat his awfulness without the twins as Vrbata has taken his spot?
- PP QB gone which = highest scoring D gone.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by YogiBerra

Raymond is a downgrade from Cammaleri and Engelland is probably equal with Butler. I am not counting on Gio repeating his performance from last year either. There is a group at the bottom that is probably just as bad as us though so you who knows where we will end up.

Buffalo

Edmonton
Calgary
Ottawa
Carolina
Florida
Islanders

Engelland is replacing O'Brien/Smith. Wideman is replacing Butler. Wideman played 46 games last year 22 with a broken hand.

Gio also missed 18 games last year.


Raymond is replacing Stempniak and is an upgrade.


Right now the Cammalleri replacement line is headed by Gaudreau - Grandlund and Baertschi.... Baertschi was the sure fire lock on a top 6 spot this time last year ... ahead of Monahan. This year he is third in line and he probably is a better player than he was this time last year.

I don't think that there is as much difference between the so-called elite teams and the list of bottom dwellers.

The Islanders lost 23 games from Tavares , 18 games from Grabner and 58 games from Visnosky their #1 d-man and 13 games from their #2 D man Hamonic. and 33 games from 3/4 d-man De haan..

They could be in the race for a lottery spot or be back in the play offs as they were in 2012-13.

Ottawa-- they made the playoffs won a playoff round 2 years ago without Spezza and Karlsson playing only 17 out of 48 games.

[dissentowner]

I have no expectations at all for this season, I am just going to enjoy watching the kids play.

[StrykerSteve]

Playoffs.

[Street Pharmacist]

Johnny wins the Calder, Gio wins the Norris and the Flames win the cup

[Bandwagon In Flames]

My expectation is for the flames young players to shine and show the league that Calgary is full of young skilled players.

Calgary will start to get recognition for rebuilding the right way, already surpassing the Oilers rebuild.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Johnny wins the Calder, Gio wins the Norris and the Flames win the cup

I hate how you are always selling the Flames short

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

I hate how you are always selling the Flames short

Sorry, but I just don't see them being good enough to win the presidents trophy. If that makes me a pessimist, so be it. The rest of my predictions stand

[YogiBerra]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

Engelland is replacing O'Brien/Smith. Wideman is replacing Butler. Wideman played 46 games last year 22 with a broken hand.

Gio also missed 18 games last year.


Raymond is replacing Stempniak and is an upgrade.


Right now the Cammalleri replacement line is headed by Gaudreau - Grandlund and Baertschi.... Baertschi was the sure fire lock on a top 6 spot this time last year ... ahead of Monahan. This year he is third in line and he probably is a better player than he was this time last year.

I don't think that there is as much difference between the so-called elite teams and the list of bottom dwellers.

The Islanders lost 23 games from Tavares , 18 games from Grabner and 58 games from Visnosky their #1 d-man and 13 games from their #2 D man Hamonic. and 33 games from 3/4 d-man De haan..

They could be in the race for a lottery spot or be back in the play offs as they were in 2012-13.

Ottawa-- they made the playoffs won a playoff round 2 years ago without Spezza and Karlsson playing only 17 out of 48 games.

I'm not going to argue who is replacing who because it is just a matter of opinion; if you look at our overall roster i don't think we have improved from last year. Our goaltending has experienced the biggest improvement going from Hiller to Berra and Ramo having more experience will be good for at least a few more wins.

Our Forward Group has lost Cammaleri and Stempniak as the main pieces and replaced them with Raymond and a rookie. Raymond i would say is equal to Stempniak and if not theres not much of a difference. Cammaleri being replaced with a rookie however is a definite downgrade they are unlikely to provide the offensive or defensive prowess(as little as there is) of Cammy with their lack of experience. Our bottom six is a little better with Byron and Bolland bringing more to the table then Galiardi.

The defence is probably a little better than last year as they have added a little more physicality and defensive minded players with Smid and Engelland instead of O'brien/Butler. But Gio had a year far above his Career average will he be able to repeat it? He is the anchor of our defence even if he takes a small step back it could have a big impact on our team.

The most important part though is our lack of depth as soon as someone gets injured we have rookies with minimal experience as our first call ups. Even if our prospects are looking good in the Ahl and limited call ups they won't be difference makers until they get some more experience under their belts. Most of the forwards we lost were playing tougher minutes too so all of the players from last year will be forced to play tougher minutes this year.

[RyZ]

I expect a season much like last year. A young, hardworking group that is well below average defensively but showing flashes of a more skilled offense losing a lot of close games and finishing bottom 5-7.

I hope a bunch guys like Gaudreau, Baertschi, Granlund, Reinhart, 'Spoon, etc force Treliving and Burke to find new homes for some of the veteran players. Having those guys play significant minutes this season before adding Bennett and others in coming seasons is crucial. These guys aren't 18 anymore so Id like to see them try to work each of these guys in 40+ gms each and see what you got. If these guys arent ready soon the chances that they become impact players decreases every year. Most impact players are playing full time by the time they are 22.

[T@T]

My expectations are the same every year, if you don't make the playoffs you better beat Edmonton head-to-head so at least I collect my bets.

Been a good 10-12 years!

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by YogiBerra

I'm not going to argue who is replacing who because it is just a matter of opinion; if you look at our overall roster i don't think we have improved from last year. Our goaltending has experienced the biggest improvement going from Hiller to Berra and Ramo having more experience will be good for at least a few more wins.

Our Forward Group has lost Cammaleri and Stempniak as the main pieces and replaced them with Raymond and a rookie. Raymond i would say is equal to Stempniak and if not theres not much of a difference. Cammaleri being replaced with a rookie however is a definite downgrade they are unlikely to provide the offensive or defensive prowess(as little as there is) of Cammy with their lack of experience. Our bottom six is a little better with Byron and Bolland bringing more to the table then Galiardi.

The defence is probably a little better than last year as they have added a little more physicality and defensive minded players with Smid and Engelland instead of O'brien/Butler. But Gio had a year far above his Career average will he be able to repeat it? He is the anchor of our defence even if he takes a small step back it could have a big impact on our team.

The most important part though is our lack of depth as soon as someone gets injured we have rookies with minimal experience as our first call ups. Even if our prospects are looking good in the Ahl and limited call ups they won't be difference makers until they get some more experience under their belts. Most of the forwards we lost were playing tougher minutes too so all of the players from last year will be forced to play tougher minutes this year.

Both of us neglected to measure the impact of Glencross. Glencross lost last season.. If he is able to play at his 2011-12 level in his contract year he will be be more important than Cammalleri... He will make players playing with him better.

For a couple of seasons whatever centre played between Glencross and Moss was our best centre.

[orrin83]

I think we improved two ways.
( Defense and goal )

We again be bottom the league team.
Hillier was a good signing and Ramo will better back-up then Berra or MacDonald.
Infact Ramo might still keep the starting job.
Our defense has improved.
Engelland is ok number 6 dmen. My problem is will Cundari, Wotherspoon, or ,Billins beat
Him out for the job by seasons End.
Here is how the see the pairings.
Giordano Wideman
Brodie Smid
Russell Engelland.
And at least 1 of the kids in at number 7.

Our biggest problem is up front
I think Bennett makes for at least nine games.
Here's the lines as see it.
Geaudreau. Monohan Byron
Byron has to play the big man's game infront of the net and on the boards.
Which did do well at times last year.
Next our veteran line.
Glencross Stajan Hudler.
We will need all 3 to compete on all games.
Now here is the line that has a battle spot.
Bennett Backlund Raymond/Baertschi
I know Burke does not like Baertschi but right he is is the team.
Also it is not Raymond battling Baertschi it is Bennette.
I like Baertschi he has good years for the minutes he has played.
But I think Bennett beats him out.
Here is the toughness line.
Bouma Colborne. Macgrattan
Plain and simple what does.

With addition of Bollig and Engelland guys like John Scott will learn quick our kids not to mess with.
Watch for Engelland to play Wing on fourth line I know that is not what he was bought in do but it still may happen.

Lastly with D.Jones and Bollig on one they get last of the spots.

I hope we buy-out Jones during the artibation here with Colborne.
So Baertschi has a better spot.

[FlatLandFlamesFan]

Gonna be another fun year ,entertaining hockey for sure. Much like last year huge compete level, and so many players to watch across NHL/AHL/CHL.
I'm super excited to watch the development of this team after last year ; the most entertaining season in...forever.

BUT given the arms race that is going on in the west I think 26th-30th overall is where we'll end up.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Imo, I don't think we land in McDavid/Eichel territory... Those bottom 1/2 spots will have quite the competition in the Sabres, Oilers, Senators, Preds, 'Canes, and maybe even the Leafs with their atrocious defense.

[CaptainCrunch]

Expectations? Expectations?

Don't talk to me about expectations, I just hope that we can win a game.

[Hackey]

I don't see Nashville being as bad as everyone expects. Rinne only played 24 games last year. With a healthy Rinne, solid defense and adding guys like Neal and Jokinen I'm sure they will be better than bottom 5. Cam Ward only played 30 games as well and a lot of their players had terrible seasons. They could bounce back as well. Sabres and Oilers both improved just a question of how much. I think Flames will need a lot to go right to not be in the bottom 5. Mainly Hiller will need to stand on his head, Gio will have to repeat his performance last year for a full year and a couple players will need to step up and surprise. As long as we see progress from the kids though I'm more than happy.

[SHOGUN]

Flames make the playoffs as 8th seed in the west, then beat out all the top teams to make it in the SC Final... but lose in game 7 in 5th OT period by an own goal.

[Calgaryguy73]

I see the Flames taking a step back this year. No Cammy and a lame duck coach. As there has been no talk of an extension for Hartley my worry is the kids could tune him out. Gio leadership should keep the boat straight but I can see the Flames in bottom 2 spot.