Darryl Sutter Interview on the FAN960

[djsFlames]

I think there are 4 teams that realistically challenge the Flames.

One in the west, three in the east.

Currently I'd give them 50-50 odds to get past the Avs. Kuemper looks really good I have to say. And looks like Sutter shares my sentiments. My hope is that Colorado chokes again like last year's POs and bows in round two.

That would imply that a team like Minny or St Louis is firing on all cylinders though. But every team has their kryptonite and those two clubs don't scare me like COL.

This is of course all dependent on the Flames winning their own match ups and nothing is a guarantee. But I don't see LA, Nashville or Edmonton playing the game near the level the Flames have been all season.

The one thing I'll give Nashville is there are few better on the defensive side of the game. They are capable of grinding low scoring contests. But I still wouldn't give them the edge outright.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Bolts are without Gourde, Johnston, Savard, Goodrow, Schenn and of course Coleman. They got a good deal thinner. It was bound to happen.

It really goes to show how much depth matters.

Which is why you have to be extremely encouraged as a Flames fan right now. We brought in not only better depth players, but two that just helped their teams to the cup finals.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

The one thing I'll give Nashville is there are few better on the defensive side of the game. They are capable of grinding low scoring contests. But I still wouldn't give them the edge outright.

Nashville worries me.

That's a series where the goaltending match up is more equal between Saros and Markstrom.

They'd have the best d-man in the series in Josi.

And they have a sneaky deep forward group with the re-emergence of some of their veterans as impact players again.

Will be bad luck for Flames because under old conference matchups that would actually be a 2 vs 5 matchup in the first round, and Nashville will have a better record than the team's in 2nd and 3rd in the Pacific.

[taxbuster]

This was a fun terrific, loose interview....just fantastic!! The Jolly Rancher being jolly!

To Rhett: "You're a little smarter...." Ha ha....great.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Nashville worries me.

That's a series where the goaltending match up is more equal between Saros and Markstrom.

They'd have the best d-man in the series in Josi.

And they have a sneaky deep forward group with the re-emergence of some of their veterans as impact players again.

Will be bad luck for Flames because under old conference matchups that would actually be a 2 vs 5 matchup in the first round, and Nashville will have a better record than the team's in 2nd and 3rd in the Pacific.

Don't know about that, and if the Flames can't beat Nashville they aren't gonna win the cup anyway

[icarus]

I don't believe there's a single team in the league the Flames can't beat in a 7-game series.

[redmile04]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Nashville worries me.

That's a series where the goaltending match up is more equal between Saros and Markstrom.

They'd have the best d-man in the series in Josi.

And they have a sneaky deep forward group with the re-emergence of some of their veterans as impact players again.

Will be bad luck for Flames because under old conference matchups that would actually be a 2 vs 5 matchup in the first round, and Nashville will have a better record than the team's in 2nd and 3rd in the Pacific.

It works both ways, sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesnt, 2015 we dont win a round with the old way as we would be playing the ducks who almost swept us in round 2 vs the aging canucks with Lack in net.

[Strange Brew]

"Finish the job, D. Bring one home"

"Yep, that's the plan".

Can that be posted permanently somewhere?

That's like Adrian telling Rocky to win. Love it.

[timbit]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Don't know about that, and if the Flames can't beat Nashville they aren't gonna win the cup anyway

Having watched Nashville, live, numerous times this season including their 4-1 victory over Pens on Tuesday….

They have excellent goaltending, very good top end D, and talented as well as fast, big and tough at forward.

One of the very very few teams that match up physically with the Flames.

Would be a really good series.

[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

"Finish the job, D. Bring one home"

"Yep, that's the plan".

Can that be posted permanently somewhere?

That's like Adrian telling Rocky to win. Love it.

If the Flames win a cup...based on that quote alone, it's gotta be statue territory, no?

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

"Finish the job, D. Bring one home"

"Yep, that's the plan".

Can that be posted permanently somewhere?

That's like Adrian telling Rocky to win. Love it.

Listening to that is the first time I've dared to allow myself to think that it COULD happen.

[ShotDownInFlames12]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Listening to that is the first time I've dared to allow myself to think that it COULD happen.

Me too.

Hearing him say that the way he did is the first time I’ve actually believed it.

[topfiverecords]

Unfinished business. Buckle up!

[Manhattanboy]

I would love to know - if given the choice would Darryl want to start the playoffs now, or wait a month and have more time to get his team prepared.

The guys have played so much hockey I'm concerned about burn out....

[timbit]

Originally Posted by Manhattanboy

I would love to know - if given the choice would Darryl want to start the playoffs now, or wait a month and have more time to get his team prepared.

The guys have played so much hockey I'm concerned about burn out....

It’s a very good point, but they aren’t alone re congested schedule.

[Enoch Root]

plus, they will be in a position to rest guys down the stretch

[schteve_d]

Originally Posted by Manhattanboy

I would love to know - if given the choice would Darryl want to start the playoffs now, or wait a month and have more time to get his team prepared.

The guys have played so much hockey I'm concerned about burn out....

It seems like Daryl already has that in mind. Was it their last game where all forwards averaged around 14 minutes? There is a plan and I think Daryl is, at least so far, executing it to perfection.

[timbit]

Originally Posted by schteve_d

It seems like Daryl already has that in mind. Was it their last game where all forwards averaged around 14 minutes? There is a plan and I think Daryl is, at least so far, executing it to perfection.

That’s been Darryl’s modus operandi for a very long time. 4 lines and 3 pairs rotating with short shifts, at even strength.

[Roughneck]

Originally Posted by schteve_d

It seems like Daryl already has that in mind. Was it their last game where all forwards averaged around 14 minutes? There is a plan and I think Daryl is, at least so far, executing it to perfection.

Darryl and Ryan Van Asten are also reunited, so the conditioning program is probably more catered to Darryl’s brand than it was under Peters and Ward as well.

[DazzlinDino]

I wonder if Darryl has a strategy that helps his goaltenders succed, not just defensive play but he seems to have a way of getting them to play very elite.