What would need to happen for the Flames to make the Playoffs in 2024/25?

[868904]

Sounds weird, but making the playoffs in the coming season might be the worst thing to happen to his franchise.

They need to get a franchise centre, and you don't do that unless you are drafting high.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

When you look at the team after the trade deadline, (I think) they were only better than Chicago and San Jose.

I find it hard to believe that subtracting guys like Chris Tanev is going to result in some sort of dark cloud that was covering the locker room being removed so that the team can truly shine.

I think the team is bad. We are (effectively) tied with the Anaheim Ducks for the lowest pay roll in the entire league - and we're carrying $1.875M in dead cap-space.

Anything can happen in this league - but I don't think we're sitting on a Johnny Gaudreau rookie season about to pop off to help carry us through a surprise season.

What would it take for the Flames to make the playoffs in 24/25?

1. Wolf wins Vezina
2. Wolf + Vladar win Jennings
3. Kuzmenko scores PPG+
4. Huberdeau scores PPG+
5. Weegar wins Norris
6. Kadri puts up a career year

I think you are over blowing what needs to happen there. If those things happen the Flames are not just a playoff team, they are a serious SC contender.

[Johnny Makarov]

Wolf doesn't even need to win the Vezina.

As long as he even plays up to 60% of what he did in his previous leagues we are in the playoffs!

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by the-rasta-masta

Put me in the group (not sure if there's many of us), who don't see this team as being as bad as some are predicting. Looking at the roster, I feel we more likely to be a outside the playoffs bubble team than a bottom dweller. Knowing the conditions of the Montreal trade I'd prefer to finish bottom 10 but my gut is just telling me were going to finish just outside.

Good points and you may be right.

But the way I see it Wolf has great long term potential but I highly doubt he gives Vezina level goaltending all season long. Even if he is really good, and there is total commitment to team defense, I'd expect the team will be middle of the pack defensively at best. That is the upside IMO.

And then will players like Kadri and Huberdeau really be excelling this year? I consider that highly unlikely. If Flames out work everyone they could be competitive for a playoff spot but not sure we have the horses for that style.

We'll see. It's why they play the game.

[Lewis_D]

Parekh making the team out of camp and having a Calder caliber season?

For the record I'm of the opinion that another year in junior on a good team and playing in WJC would be far better for his development.

[gvitaly]

For this to happen the Flames need a #1C, #1D, and a #1G

If one of Kadri, Zary, or Pospisil can become a #1C.

If one Weegar, Andersson, or Parekh takes a big step and becomes a top 15D in the league.

If Vladar or Wolf becomes a .910 goalie for the season.

I can see 1 or 2 of those things happening, but not all 3. I think the defense will be a complete tirefire and get us a lot of lottery points. The offense will be decent(3GPG), and the goaltending will be in the .895 - .905 range.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Ferarri

A holy miracle.

I dont think Christ himself could drag this team into the playoffs.

[EVERLAST]

Team stays healthy
Plays .500 hockey for 60 games
Plays .750 hockey for 22 games playing really sound boring defensive Calgary Flames hockey
Gets career #'s out of at least 6 players
Is over 80% on PK
Is no less than 60% on PP
Doesn't surrender ANY shorthanded goals

Thats my unrealistic list of things we'd need to do.....then the stars and moon would need to align and....

The NHL would have to stop Disallowing so many goals for ....
Our divisional rivals need to play horrible and be injured all year....

Who knows ? Anything could happen. I just don't want or maybe I do to make the playoffs with the easiest path to the cup since last years losers of that Stanley Cup.

Let's just say I don't want guys like Perry and Kane skating past our bench this year telling us how bad we are...ever again.

[LowellK21]

Originally Posted by Iniggywetrust

I saw a list that had Huberdeau as the top bounce back candidate in 2024/2025, and it got me thinking that should that happen, it would improve our playoff chances (for better or worse).

So, let's leave the discussion about whether it is a good thing or bad thing to make the playoffs, and just focus on what would need to happen for the Flames to make the playoffs next year?

It's tough to say what is number one of the list, but...

1) Dustin Wolf breaks out as a true legit number 1 goalie and is at least in the Vezina talk all year long
2) Huberdeau fully bounces back and has a 90+p season
3) Kuzmenko finds chemistry on the power play and puts up 40g 80+p
4) Two of Bahl, Miromanov, or Bean firmly cement themselves as top 4 defensemen with one taking over top PP duties
5) Andersson bounces back and puts up 20/20 while shutting down top lines
5) Kadri, Weeger, Sharagovich all carry on their strong play from last year
6) Zary shows progression and take over as C2
7) Coronato breaks out and scores 25
8) A surprise prospect (Stromgren?) makes the team out of camp and plays 15 minutes of strong hockey per night

What else would need to happen? Would that be enough?

[CliffFletcher]

I’m not sure it’s a matter of particular forwards having a career year or a goalie standing on their head. Hockey is a funny game. There’s always a team or two in the mix to make the playoffs who don’t have anyone playing lights-out, but they do have buy-in and trust in each other.

Look at the this roster and tell me it screams playoff team: https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/...089812023.html

The Flames are going to have a lot of guys on the roster next season who have something to prove. Veterans playing for a contract. Rookies trying to establish themselves in the league. Guys who have been here a while and didn’t ask for a rebuild. Give them a hot start and they’ll start to believe in themselves.

[activeStick]

More than anything, I think the Flames will need 3-4 teams in the west to really surprise and have terrible seasons for the Flames to even have a chance at a wild card spot. The players on the roster are not good enough - especially the D - and as a result the Flames would need all the luck and help they can get.

[iamca]

I think they should establish themselves as a bottom 10 team for the first half of next season and after the trade deadline, they should be in the bottom 6 in the league.

I won’t be cheering for them to lose, however I think with this roster and Conroy sticking to the plan in acquiring more draft picks, this is the way.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Look at the this roster and tell me it screams playoff team: https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/...089812023.html

Statistically, it actually looks quite a lot like the '03-04 Flames. One 40-goal scorer, no other stars, but a lot of pretty good depth. More GF and more GA, but that's to be expected given the eras the two teams played in.

[DeluxeMoustache]

- Top 10 PP (Who knows? It got a lot better when Kuzmenko arrived. Savard is gone… Parekh one day will be a difference maker here. Can he force them to keep him up?)

- Top 10 PK. (I’m not sure who the PK units will be)

- a solid 5 on 5 game. Simply reducing the breakdowns that result in GA with the goalie hung out to dry. Having Huberdeau and Sharangovich closer to even than to -30. Taking away time and space

PK and 5 on 5 play will give both Wolf and Vladar stats you like

- ability to get their points in 3 on 3 OT (again a guy like Parekh one day might make a big difference once he is ready)


If Pospisil builds on his game and plays like he has internationally, Zary builds on last year, and Mantha and Huberdeau click (especially 5 on 5 in terms of goal differential), a lot is possible.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

Statistically, it actually looks quite a lot like the '03-04 Flames. One 40-goal scorer, no other stars, but a lot of pretty good depth. More GF and more GA, but that's to be expected given the eras the two teams played in.

Sweet, just needs one of the greatest season goalie performances of the modern era and we're set!

[Vinny01]

They need an unsustainable PDO that masks the overall lack of high end talent on the roster and get by on a solid goalie tandem and a lot of lucky bounces. I suspect if this were to occur we would see some big years from Huberdeau, Kuzmenko, Kadri, Weegar, Andersson and one of Wolf/Vladar along with a sophomore surge from Zary, Coronato or Pospisil.

[My2Cents]

Only way I can see it happening is if an untouchable player does all the heavy lifting. Only person capable of doing that would be Wolf.

Huby is on pace for 90 points? Maybe someone will take him. Kuzmenko is a PPG player, you trade him for more than expected.

I think the team learned you have to proper rebuild, not just one high pick before you come out of it. As a result, I cant see the playoffs simply because if players step up and carries the team I think they will be moved for additional assets.

[Ba'alzamon]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

I’m not sure it’s a matter of particular forwards having a career year or a goalie standing on their head. Hockey is a funny game. There’s always a team or two in the mix to make the playoffs who don’t have anyone playing lights-out, but they do have buy-in and trust in each other.

Look at the this roster and tell me it screams playoff team: https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/...089812023.html

The Flames are going to have a lot of guys on the roster next season who have something to prove. Veterans playing for a contract. Rookies trying to establish themselves in the league. Guys who have been here a while and didn’t ask for a rebuild. Give them a hot start and they’ll start to believe in themselves.

I think Jared McCann abruptly posting a 40 goal season and Vince Dunn hitting 64 points qualifies as a couple guys playing "lights-out".

[Gaskal]

You basically need Wolf turning god-mode on early, with the team riding that momentum high until at least Christmas.

[Geeoff]

Simply put, the young players on the squad will have to emerge as elite players