2) The competition for the 4C spot in rookie and main camp. Arnold, Knight, Granlund,
Reinhart, Colborne, et al, there's a huge number of guys in the running for that spot.
3) Gaudreau vs Baertschi battling it out for the undersized offensive LW roster spot.
4) World Juniors
5) Watching the Oilers fail and then tank, and seeing what new revisionist history they come up with THIS time to make themselves feel better.
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So many things - which is pretty cool considering we're early into a rebuild...
1) the kids for sure: Gaudreau, Baertschi, Poirier, Wotherspoon, Kulak and Sieloff in Adirondack; Bennett, Klimchuk, Smith and Hickey in the CHL
2) watching the development of some other interesting prospects in Adirondack: Ferland, Wolf, Arnold, Knight, Reinhart and Granlund - oh, and Acolatse
3) watching the progression of some prospects that aren't front and centre on the radar: Jankowski, Gillies, Rafikov, Mattson
4) watching the progression of Brodie, Monahan, Colborne, Backlund and Bouma on the big club, and who else can crack the lineup
5) watching the Oilers fail AGAIN - and the Nucks just missing the playoffs
6) watching the 'race' for McDavid and the bedlam that ensues when the lottery takes an unpredictable turn
7) the WJCs with Bennett, Klimchuk, Rafikov and (hopefully) the surprise starter Hunter Smith
8) listening to the talking heads on Sportsnet rant on about how the Flames lack young talent, and how the new draft lottery is horrible news for them, and that they will wallow in mediocrity for years as a result, while at the same time watching them outscore the high-flying Oilers AGAIN.
9) watching the Adirondack Flames tear up the AHL with a high-speed, high-powered offensive attack
10) Treliving's first big trade (my prediction: Glencross and/or Baertschi)
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I'm looking forward to all the interesting potential stories that will emerge throughout this season. As of right now there's a lot to be encouraged by. The team might not be great, but they are starting to put some of the various parts together coherently. That's a good thing. It'll be interesting to see who steps up this season. Last year Reinhart emerged as a solid offensive threat in the AHL and Granlund came over and showed that he is an NHL calibre player. Who will it be this time.
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I am looking forward to what Gaudreau can bring, be it in the AHL or the NHL I don't care at this point. I think it will either be him or Sven who makes the flames as the small LWer.
I think the goalie situation will be fun to watch, who will steal the number 1 position? Or will we truly see a 1a/1b tandem emerge?
Will Gio be able to top his season last year? I hope so, he deserves to win the Norris!
Anyway, too much to be excited about. I keep getting trash talked by Oilers fans and I just don't feel that they know what is happening in their own world and I can't fathom how they can trash us after we have finished ahead of them in the standings for like 8 seasons. Just silly!
Watching to see if Bennett will challenge for a spot?
The McDavid sweepstakes?
Laughing at the oilers?
Personally for me it's gaudreau. Haven't been this excited about a flame since iggy. I was pretty pumped for monahan too but not to this extent. I personally think he will make the line up and do quite well this year but whether it's with Calgary or Adirondack I am pumped to see what he will do this year.
Just about everything regarding the Flames. Curious to see how our youngsters play in Addy and those that make Calgary (Gaudreau/Baertschi).
The fact that management has made this rebuild enjoyable makes me happy.
I'm actually planning on going to some CHL games this year, haven't been to one in years. Mostly because the Hurricanes suck, but I'll try to catch some games when interesting prospects are in town.
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Before you call me a pessimist or a downer, the Flames made me this way. Blame them.
In terms of the rebuild it is a big year for his like Backlund, Colborne, Brodie, Bouma. Young NHL players who will be the vets when this team is ready to compete. Hoping for career years from all 4. I could see Backlund getting 60pts this year if he is our number 1 C
-Heroin Beer
-Hartley and his staff. Seeing if they can keep up the intensity again.
-Young kids pushing for fulltime spots
-Better goaltending hopefully
The Flames have been on a good fortune roll of late, so I'm excited to see that continue.
We've seen Klimchuk and Poirier both improve, Monahan make the team and score 20, Bennett ends up a Flame, and I think most importantly the team has gone from a complete restart to suddenly having three core players already in Backlund, Brodie and Giordano having such solid seasons.
Curious as to what will happen this year, and happy that there are so many different sources for pleasant surprises again this year.
Bennett is unlikely but a fun September variable
Granlund vs Reinhart is an interesting debate.
Gaudreau vs the world and his size
Ortio in camp with his own goaltending coach
Will the work ethic continue under Giordano? Means so much to a developing franchise, and the key ingredient to moving quickly up the standings
Super interested in Monahan this year and the sophomore thing, he seemed to score 20 with mirrors last year, but then got such positive comments from teammates and the coaching staff. Curious to see more Francis/Brind'amour
And I'm going the other way with the change to the draft lottery ... I'd like to see the Flames surprise and be in the playoff discussion, then slide through injuries and trades at the deadline, finish 7th worst and win the lottery.
Outside of Calgary, really looking forward to seeing the Canucks spin their wheels
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