Is this a playoff team?

[GioforPM]

I loved Iggy. I was a huge fan. But honestly - where would he fit on this team? I also suspect this might be the year he hits the wall. He still got points last year, but that was in the East. This year 2 goals averaging over 17 minutes per game? Not that good.

[Phanuthier]

Looking at the playoff teams from 2014, I see Dallas, Colorado and Minnisota's spots being challenged. (I think Chicago, LA, SJ, St Louis and Anahaim will get 5/8 spots)

Those 3 spots will get challenged by Calgary, Vancouver, Nashville, Minnisota... and Dallas/Colorado can still make it.

My personal guess is those 3 spots goes to Vancouver, Minnisota and Nashville, but I see us very close in that mix for the 3 spots. I don't think Colorado will be a playoff team , Dallas I think will be better in the future but I don't think it will happen for them this year.

ADD: relative to points, Calgary, Nashville and Vancouver all have 24 pts. I don't see LA losing their playoff spot.
Minnisota has 20 pts (4 behind)
Colorado - 17 pts (7 behind)
Dallas 16 pts (8 behind)
Winnipeg has 21 pts, but I did not consider them a playoff threat.

[Mister Yamoto]

To all of the people who are fans of a team currently in a playoff spot.

Have a happy American Thanksgiving.

[GreenLantern2814]

If we beat Vancouver at any point and the Ducks in Anaheim, I will be convinced this is a playoff team. I think they'll get in, but I won't be sure until both those things happen.

[jg13]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

If we beat Vancouver at any point and the Ducks in Anaheim, I will be convinced this is a playoff team. I think they'll get in, but I won't be sure until both those things happen.

We can beat Vancouver. 8 of their points are from playing that AHL team up north.

[Finger Cookin]

Three weeks ago, I voted 'Way too early to tell'. If this poll was created today, I would probably vote 'Early, but they are starting to convince me'.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by jg13

We can beat Vancouver. 8 of their points are from playing that AHL team up north.

I believe we can, but it feels like it's been forever since it actually happened.

[Itse]

Vancouver has pretty much wiped the floor with us lately. They've won 10 of 11 since start of 2012-13 season. 12 of 13 if you count the preseason. A lot of multigoal wins too.

Beating Vancouver should be pretty high on the Flames to-do list. Unacceptable results against a division rival.

[Split98]

I am so excited for December 20 (Vancouver).

I seriously believe we got this, and we are going to smear our power all over that greasy team's face. It is going to feel so so good. I can see Bieksa scouring now...

[Bunk]

TSN That's Hockey analysis showed that 75% of teams that are in a playoff spot by US thanksgiving make the playoffs. If 5 points up on 9th, those odds are quite a bit better.

Flames find themselves in that position - one thing we have against us is our 24 GP is above a few chasing teams.

[Galakanokis]

Originally Posted by Split98

I am so excited for December 20 (Vancouver).

I seriously believe we got this, and we are going to smear our power all over that greasy team's face. It is going to feel so so good. I can see Bieksa scouring now...

Anybody coming out to that game? I'd really love a Flames fan meet up after seeing all the Calgary Boy stuff recently. I work the game but could definitely do pops afterwards.

[Zach]

Will be going to that Dec 20th game. Should be a good one.

[wwkayaker]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

I agree, I don't think Iginla bought into what Hartley was selling, so why would he buy in if we brought him back? It would make a nice story if he returned when and if we became contenders but it isn't practical.

Am I alone in hoping Iginla doesn't come back to the Flames. I wasn't impressed with his attitude in the last year or two. Wanting him back reminds me of the Oilers bringing back Smyth.

[mile]

Originally Posted by wwkayaker

Am I alone in hoping Iginla doesn't come back to the Flames. I wasn't impressed with his attitude in the last year or two. Wanting him back reminds me of the Oilers bringing back Smyth.

You're not alone in not wanting him back, has nothing to do with his attitude though.

[AcGold]

He's too slow to back check at the speed necessary to be an effective player in this squad. Everyone back checks, there are no exceptions.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by AcGold

He's too slow to back check at the speed necessary to be an effective player in this squad. Everyone back checks, there are no exceptions.

Disagree. That is the copout from when he was run out of town. This team is a blend of smart and speed. He is smart and still not slow. If you watched him last year you would have seen people remarking their surprise at that. And he darn well backchecked a ton in Boston.

And in the playoffs he was one of the best on his team in a losing effort

I prefer to avoid confirmation bias here. A hall of famer who was up there in many categories last season and top line on a contender is (exaggeration ahead) somehow unable to take a regular shift on the team he left just a couple of years ago? Yeesh

The guy isn't addition by subtraction. He can accept a role that makes sense and contribute on a well coached team. There is your common link.

[playmaker]

I think one option is missing:

Yes, if Gio and Brodie stay healthy

[Tinordi]

It's getting hard to deny the success this team has had.

One of the lessons is that the engine of success in the NHL is through the defense. I don't think many people realize just how integral having good defencemen is to offensive success at this level. Good defencemen are more like good midfielders in soccer. The play flows through them particularly the attack.

[Stupid]

I was one of the people who voted "the wheels will come off" and I'm happy to say that I'm starting to think I might be wrong. I know we're only a quarter in but this team is more than the sum of its parts and I believe it's largely due to the coaching staff and the positive attitude surrounding this team. They do not quit and they feel good about themselves and even if/when they fall behind they usually have good stamina and great third periods.

I think a lot of people (myself included) focus too much on roster when trying to forecast a team's succes but there are a lot of behind the scenes factors that come into play. Think about our new conditioning coach and a bit more obvious is our coaching staff. I think a lot of things are clicking right now and the team is definitely firing on all cylinders.

Edit: Something which also seems to be coming into play is our depth. We've had a few injuries like any team would but the replacements have performed very well which speaks volumes to our depth. I suppose we're lucky that the injuries we've had are in categories of relative strength, depth wise (forwards) and not on defense.

[Vulcan]

Disagree. That is the copout from when he was run out of town.

He wasn't run out of town. Iginla wasn't going to re-sign because he realized the team was going no where. Feaster had no choice but to try and trade him.