How far off are the Calgary Flames from cup contending status? - Page 2 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Looch City · 08-07-2016, 11:45 PM

This next season.

Bezer · 08-08-2016, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iggy_oi

I'd say 1-2 years, if it takes another 4-5 years that would make the rebuild something like 9 years long and people should be fired. I understand tempering expectations, and last year was a disappointment but seriously if we had even average goaltending last year we could have made the playoffs. RW is still a concern but not an impossible one to fix.

If you think that the Flames will be SERIOUS contenders in 1-2 years, I am sorry but you will be sorely disappointed. Making the playoffs is not being a serious contender by the way.

It could happen but the chances are slim.

We are still missing some key pieces and we have players that need to mature, that (letting players mature) can not be forced.

dying4acup · 08-08-2016, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bezer

If you think that the Flames will be SERIOUS contenders in 1-2 years, I am sorry but you will be sorely disappointed. Making the playoffs is not being a serious contender by the way.

It could happen but the chances are slim.

We are still missing some key pieces and we have players that need to mature, that (letting players mature) can not be forced.

Why is it though?

I think all 3 California teams will decline this year, and the division is within grasp. At least home ice in the first round?

Cheese · 08-08-2016, 01:01 AM

Anaheim wont decline, they still have a strong team with some of the best forwards and DF in the division, LA still has very solid pieces including one of the top 3 goalies in the world. SJ might decline but I wouldn't bet my bank account on it considering how they just did in the playoffs...would you? At best I would think it will be at least two more years before we start seeing two of the three California teams age out...and that also depends on how the respective GMs do refilling the respective cupboards. Each team has very good management.

Bezer · 08-08-2016, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dying4acup

Why is it though?

I think all 3 California teams will decline this year, and the division is within grasp. At least home ice in the first round?

The question was cup contender... I guess that could mean just making the playoffs, which I wouldn't bet against next year.

But as far as SERIOUS contender.. it will not be in the next couple or few years. It takes time.

Bourque's Twin · 08-08-2016, 03:01 AM

If Elliot plays like he can then I think after this season the Flames could be cup contenders. I think Bennett, Tkachuk, Ferland, and Hamilton need 1 more year to establish themselves as core players/producers. I know many don't believe Ferland is in this category but I think he is, and I think his mix of skill/size is exactly what can help make this team a contender. 1 more year also gives guys like Jankowski, Poirier, Kylington, Shinkaruk and Andersson the opportunity to step up. This team may have a ton of forward depth very soon - as soon as this pre-season.

dying4acup · 08-08-2016, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bezer

The question was cup contender... I guess that could mean just making the playoffs, which I wouldn't bet against next year.

But as far as SERIOUS contender.. it will not be in the next couple or few years. It takes time.

I mentioned winning top 2 in the division. Not JUST making the playoffs.

Finger Cookin · 08-08-2016, 05:23 AM

Hard to assess this roster without seeing it in action. I like a lot of the pieces added this offseason, so things are going in the right direction. Internal growth and improvement of drafted players and prospects will be key to leaping ahead. For this immediate season, it's hard to know how the coaching change may translate to on ice results.

Regorium · 08-08-2016, 07:06 AM

Our best shot at the cup is probably in 2 years when Tkachuk is still on his elc, all the bad contracts are gone, and hopefully we get a couple good depth pieces on elcs from our current prospect pool.

After that, when Tkachuk gets his raise, we'll be contenders but tough to see a cup unless we get another massive outperformer in the following drafts (like another gaudreau).

StrykerSteve · 08-08-2016, 07:14 AM

2 years. RW depth and bad contracts are major roadblocks.

Erick Estrada · 08-08-2016, 07:21 AM

Impossible to say with an all new coaching staff and a team coming off a poor season. Question will be easier to address next offseason as we will have a better idea of where this coaching staff can take the team.

RyZ · 08-08-2016, 07:35 AM

Tough to say until we see the team play a season behind non league worst goaltending. The Flames score enough that if they get even league average .915ish goaltending it will be tough to keep them out of the playoffs this year.

RyZ · 08-08-2016, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigrangy

The Flames right now have an average offense, upper average defense (elite top 3, question mark bottom 3), a question mark goalie, and a question mark coach.

I hope the questions have the right answers.

The Flames offence is well above average, as per Haynes they have been the #7 & #5 highest scoring team in the NHL in each of the past 2 season NOT including empty net goals for. Whether that changes under a new coach remains to be seen, but overall the Flames are as good as almost anyone in terms of putting the puck in the net.

Erick Estrada · 08-08-2016, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyZ

The Flames offence is well above average, as per Haynes they have been the #7 & #5 highest scoring team in the NHL in each of the past 2 season NOT including empty net goals for. Whether that changes under a new coach remains to be seen, but overall the Flames are as good as almost anyone in terms of putting the puck in the net.

A lot of that offense came at the expense of turnovers and poor defensive play. I would expect the new coaching staff will employ a more responsible defensive strategy as forwards will have to back check and you aren't going to see defensemen take as many risky pinches. I don't expect them to revert to a trap team or anything but we should expect a better rounded team game.

Gaskal · 08-08-2016, 07:55 AM

Should really be the 2017-18 season, as all of our core pieces will be on their big performance contracts by then and most of the dead-weight contracts are gone.

RyZ · 08-08-2016, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

A lot of that offense came at the expense of turnovers and poor defensive play. I would expect the new coaching staff will employ a more responsible defensive strategy as forwards will have to back check and you aren't going to see defensemen take as many risky pinches. I don't expect them to revert to a trap team or anything but we should expect a better rounded team game.

I dont doubt that at all, but that wont drag them back to being an "average" offensive team. They will remain one of the higher scoring teams in the league, even by virtue of an improved PP if nothing else.

CroFlames · 08-08-2016, 08:35 AM

Basically if it doesn't come together this season, there is a major problem.

A forwards peak performance is usually in the 22 to 25 year old range. Things need to come together this year and at least be a serious playoff contender. In 2017-2018 they better be in the conversation for a Cup.

Vinny01 · 08-08-2016, 08:38 AM

Just read the thread on hf. Lots of Oilers haters and people that know nothing of the team commenting. Perhaps we are too optimistic here in Calgary but I truly think we are 2 years away from cup contention. I expect the team to be battling for and make the playoffs this year then take off from there.

From reading that thread Gaudreau is still a bit of a question mark for some fans. Personally I am likely going overboard but I can see him as potentially top 3-5 player in the league in a couple seasons.

The thread also says we have nothing beyond Gaudreau, Monahan, Bennett, Tkachuk. I would agree those 4 are the pillars of the top 2 lines going forward but many fail to mention Backlund, Frolik, Brouwer in the present and Shinkaruk, Jankowski, Porier in the future.

I think the Flames are built to not only be a playoff team down the road but a force in the west and a Cup contender

the2bears · 08-08-2016, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bezer

4-5 years to be serious contenders.

What are we missing that will take so long to put together or develop?

ricardodw · 08-08-2016, 08:47 AM

What a bunch of low expectations!!!

Are the the Flames=Oilers? Are they perennial doormats? 10 years of not being contenders is enough.

Last year San Jose was definitely a SC contender, falling short by 2 wins.

They finished the regular season with 98 pts....

The 2014-15 Flames finished exactly in the San Jose slot (3rd in the Pacific) with 97 pts. They were without their captain and 2nd best player Giordano. They won a playoff series. Losing to a strong Anaheim was a growth experience; the losing needed to win.

Since then they have added

Hamilton, Frolik, Brouwer, Bennett and Elliott replacing Mason Raymond, Hudler, Jones, Colborne, Jooris , Byron and Russell.

They match up well with San Jose. If The Flames are going to make the playoffs it is quite likely that they will have beat out recent SC contenders San Jose over the regular season.

The Flames are pretty much as good as they are going to get. Maybe next year they will have a better chance with Tkachuck being able to help out in the top-9 but will have significantly less depth on defense with Engelland and Wideman needing to be replaced and Gio being another year older.... A goalie will have to be signed.

The time is now.

dare to dream.