I think the top 8 after tonight will be the same top 8 that make it in. Teams like Phoenix, Dallas, Nashville have a shot at a #8 seed but I think the 8 in right now are the top 8.
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Even if they somehow do make the playoffs, what's the point? The Flames are a small team that doesn't stand a chance in a 7 game series against any of the potential top 3 seeds. Yes, some lower seeds have caught lightning in a bottle and done well in the playoffs but all of those teams (including the 2004 Flames) were built for the playoffs: they were tough, they would compete, they were committed to the system, they worked hard and they had good leadership and coaching.
Just making the playoffs is not the goal. The goal is to win the Cup. This team can not do that. The first question in being intellectually honest is "what do we need to do to be a Cup winning team?" So, regardless of their chances to make the playoffs it doesn't and shouldn't change what this team should be doing but currently isn't.
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Even if they somehow do make the playoffs, what's the point? The Flames are a small team that doesn't stand a chance in a 7 game series against any of the potential top 3 seeds. Yes, some lower seeds have caught lightning in a bottle and done well in the playoffs but all of those teams (including the 2004 Flames) were built for the playoffs: they were tough, they would compete, they were committed to the system, they worked hard and they had good leadership and coaching.
Just making the playoffs is not the goal. The goal is to win the Cup. This team can not do that. The first question in being intellectually honest is "what do we need to do to be a Cup winning team?" So, regardless of their chances to make the playoffs it doesn't and shouldn't change what this team should be doing but currently isn't.
My thought exactly every time I hear someone from the organization mention the club's focus is to only make the playoffs. Teams like Pittsburgh, Boston, Vancouver etc. are all focused on the cup, where as it seems the Flames are focused on making the playoffs.
My thought exactly every time I hear someone from the organization mention the club's focus is to only make the playoffs. Teams like Pittsburgh, Boston, Vancouver etc. are all focused on the cup, where as it seems the Flames are focused on making the playoffs.
As long as their team is making the playoffs, players and personnel keep their jobs over several seasons. The fans get good entertainment value during the regular season and are usually optimistic about their team's chances of winning the Stanley Cup. Turnover is low because the top players do not demand trades or significant raises. It seems like this describes San Jose Sharks, St Louis Blues, and Buffalo Sabres history. The Calgary Flames were on the same path until the current playoff drought started.
Even if they somehow do make the playoffs, what's the point? The Flames are a small team that doesn't stand a chance in a 7 game series against any of the potential top 3 seeds. Yes, some lower seeds have caught lightning in a bottle and done well in the playoffs but all of those teams (including the 2004 Flames) were built for the playoffs: they were tough, they would compete, they were committed to the system, they worked hard and they had good leadership and coaching.
Just making the playoffs is not the goal. The goal is to win the Cup. This team can not do that. The first question in being intellectually honest is "what do we need to do to be a Cup winning team?" So, regardless of their chances to make the playoffs it doesn't and shouldn't change what this team should be doing but currently isn't.
This is where I come in as well. I see the top 4 Western Conference playoff seeds going to Chicago, Anaheim, Vancouver, and Los Angeles repectively. Nobody in their right mind would bet on the Flames in a 7 game series against any of those teams. Not that it really matters at all because we're talking about a team that currently sits in DEAD LAST!
It's clear by now to the most stubborn of fans (i.e. myself) that this team, this core group in particular, will not, can not compete in any meaningful way (read: for the Stanley Cup) with the top dogs in the west. For that reason alone they should be looking to make changes to the roster already, not to mention the facts that there are 2 natural centers on the team, the backbone is way past its collective prime, and there is a serious lack of talent in the form of prospects. It's like watching a dog chase its tail at this point.
Playoff team or not, this is not a Stanley Cup team, as we are all aware. For management to think otherwise is absolutely ludacris!
We've played 15 games so far against teams currently sitting in playoff spots. Of those 15, we have won 4 (hey that's a series win, I guess we are a contender).
In those 15 games, we have been outscored 47-32.
We've played 9 of those 15 against teams seeded 1st in their division (took into account both Minnesota and Vancouver as they are tied).
Of those 9 games, we've won 2. and been outscored 27-18.
Against the defending cup champions, we've gone 0-2, and been outscored 9-3....
If management can't see the picture painted here they have no right being involved with an NHL operations.
Chasing a playoff spot only to be demolished in the first round, rather than attempting to build for the future is a ridiculous thought, and as a fan would be incredibly upsetting. I would rather watch the Flames retool and build for the future and miss a few more years of playoff hockey than continue down this road.
