QOTD: When will you consider this a playoff team?

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Table 5

None of them. Playoff contender does not mean Cup contender. You don't waste great assets for 2 weeks of extra hockey.

But skudr is talking about young RW so I get the impression this is not picking up a rental and more about adding a skilled player now and for the future for a couple of prospects.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Trade deadline for me. If they are still in the mix, it will be a hell of a finish. Similar to 2004 when I thought there was no way for them to keep up the pace. They did.

I do worry about the advanced stats indicating a turndown. If there is any predictive value (as was the case with Toronto last year and Minny a couple of years ago), we'll have a better idea by the deadline.

[shogged]

I said it In the last playoff poll thread, but this team makes the playoffs when we beat Anaheim in their own barn and break the curse.

[Tron_fdc]

Originally Posted by skudr248

What RW impact player (young, dynamic) could we go after at the deadline? and what would it cost us? ... assuming were in the playoff picture

Enjoy the ride and keep developing your assets. The absolute LAST thing mgmt should do is trade anyone for a rental.

Freeze the roster, don't mess with chemistry, and don't trade away any of your youth. Hoard, hoard, HOARD

[DoubleF]

When statistically, we can lose all our remaining games and still make playoffs. If this is the last game, so be it. If it's a few games early, then it's that.

There is a scenario or two in mind that I can think of where we would not be surprised to see the winning ratio crash. Most of us know what they are and we have collectively held our breath with Hartley quite a few times this last month alone.

[nfotiu]

There is a lot of talk of advanced stats showing they are playing above their head, and not having played California teams yet. But on the other hand, our strength of schedule to date has been one of the toughest in the league and we've played 3 more road games than home games. It seem like we could take some bit of a correction and still be in the playoff picture.

It is still too early for sure, but I don't think we are where we are due to a weak schedule by any means. I also don't think the next few games are as big of a litmus test as everyone says. Lots of playoff teams will lose games against Chicago and Anaheim.

[Northendzone]

if the flames can keep the pace up then go into the playoffs with the current line up, resist the temptation to add a "rental" piece at the expense of a youngling.

if they did make the playoffs with the current roster, it would be a great experience for all the players - regardless of the length of "the run"

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by Table 5

None of them. Playoff contender does not mean Cup contender. You don't waste great assets for 2 weeks of extra hockey.

The only trade opportunity that could possibly make sense is if we picked up someone useful on a salary dump that didn't take much in the way of assets the other way. Probably wouldn't happen, but cap situations could bring an opportunity like that.

[GGG]

To me we are a bubble team right now. To be a playoff team we need to be at least 3rd in Pacific going past the trade deadline.

I am still of the belief that our current pace is unsustainable without improvement but we do have players coming back from injury and rookies getting better so their is potential for that improvement to offset the regression.

One positive sign is that our goal tending has come back to earth and we are still winning games. So some of that regression has already ocurred.

The big thing here if we make the playoffs this year we shouldn't be surprised if we regress next year and miss the playoffs.

[thefoss1957]

In the West, some really good teams are not going to make the cut. My guys (Chicago), Defending Champ, LA, and St. Joe, are a mini-slump or key injury away from dropping out of playoff spots. And some, historically, inferior teams, Jets and Wild, are yapping at their heels. It is FAR too early to say WHAT TEAMS ARE PLAYOFF TEAMS. Your Flames are off to a pretty good start, but, will have to not be wasteful in picking up points (even the dreaded loser point). Chicago is about to go on the, usually, season defining "Circus Trip", and the results of this will be key, indirectly, to a number of team's ultimate playoff fate, as if my guys fall off the pace, a playoff slot will be there for the taking.

[Robbob]

I have to wait until Thanksgiving but that is not to determine if they are a playoff team but rather a contender for one of the last playoff spots. I still probably will not be convinced they are a playoff team until much closer to the end of the season. There is just too much that can happen over the course of 55 odd games.

[djsFlames]

I said it before, the 20 win mark. If they're as many or more games over .500 than they are now, then I'll be trumpeting the playoffs horn.

[burn_baby_burn]

I'm just enjoying this season one game at a time. Very entertaining so far. When one game is over I can't wait until the next. Playoffs or not, this is a team that is definately heading in the right direction.

[icecube]

"when we get there, that's when we've made it"

[waner]

Originally Posted by skudr248

What RW impact player (young, dynamic) could we go after at the deadline? and what would it cost us? ... assuming were in the playoff picture

What young, dynamic, impact RW's would be available at all and we would a team want to move that guy?

Maybe Kane or Eberle but not sure either are dynamic or impactful.

What it would likely cost is a Brodie, Monahan, Giordano or Bennett. Teams aren't going to move young, impact forwards for a poo poo platter of B level prospects and mediocre picks.

[Enoch Root]

I am more concerned with the long term of the rebuild, not whether they make the playoffs.

I like the speed. I like the energy and the work ethic. I like the development of the prospects and the growing talent level of the team.

I like the direction and I enjoy watching them.

Can't ask for more than that.

[dammage79]

They're a playoff team right now, I'm just going to enjoy this.

The floor may fall out from under the Flames, it may not.

We as fans have not seen this kind of atmosphere since 07 (at least). Let's just enjoy this and not worry about might happen later. Tonight's game is a tilt betwen two of the best in the West. I'm excited for this.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

I said it before, the 20 win mark. If they're as many or more games over .500 than they are now, then I'll be trumpeting the playoffs horn.

Yeah I am not sure it is the 20 game mark, but I do think it is all about building up a cushion in the standings.

I have heard this in a few interviews/discussions about the Flames, and their season approach is to not lose more than one game in a row. At this point is they are successful with that approach, ie: winning every second game, I think they are in.

[stone hands]

Really depends on how they do vs pacific opponents

They have not looked good against other western teams for the most part

If the flames can look competitive out there with the ducks kings sharks and Vancouver, I'm sold

If they have mediocre to bad efforts/results against them, no chance

Tonight vs the ducks will be a good test

[Gaudfather]

I suspect we will know by Christmas - will have played enough Western conference opponents by then.