QOTD: When will you consider this a playoff team?

[The Fonz]

If after a combined 15 games against ANA/LA/SJ/VAN, they can come out at .500 or better, then they are a playoff contender. Until then, we're just another Western team beating up on the East + ARZ/EDM.

At this point, we've only played 1 game against those 4 I mentioned, and we lost. Play ANA tonight.

[foshizzle11]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

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

I agree with this, I wouldn't mind trying to trade a guy Glencross though, I know he does a lot for this team but I think he would be very valuable to other teams by the deadline as well.

I like the idea of finding a RW, youngster who has a good future, maybe not top line but potential to be a top line player. that would be great. Who is out there?

[#-3]

I'll be excited if they haven't fallin into the pack by Christmas.
I'll be hopeful if they are still in the pack at Trade Deadline.
But if they are still ahead of the pack at Trade Deadline I will be a believer.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

If after a combined 15 games against ANA/LA/SJ/VAN, they can come out at .500 or better, then they are a playoff contender. Until then, we're just another Western team beating up on the East + ARZ/EDM.

At this point, we've only played 1 game against those 4 I mentioned, and we lost. Play ANA tonight.

I'd include St. Louis in that group and they lost (badly) to them as well.

That said, if they don't win, but hang with that group, I'm OK with it, POs or not.

[Gaudfather]

With Bennett, Poirier and Wotherspoon at least knocking on the door next year (maybe Arnold and Knight too) the Flames will be able to move some vets before trade deadline, without damaging the progression of the rebuild.

Picking up another one or two draft picks for this year, which is considered an above average draft class for talent, would be a good move.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

If after a combined 15 games against ANA/LA/SJ/VAN, they can come out at .500 or better, then they are a playoff contender. Until then, we're just another Western team beating up on the East + ARZ/EDM.

At this point, we've only played 1 game against those 4 I mentioned, and we lost. Play ANA tonight.

That would be Feb or March. They play those teams a total of 19 times.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

F: When they officially qualify.

This is the only correct answer. Every year their are multiple teams who look like playoff contenders, only to fizzled out near the end. The worst kind are the teams that play strong until the last 1/4 of the season and then suddenly go on a 2-12 run and lose out. Something like that could easily happen with this team. I'm going to savour every moment because I know it could come crashing down any day. Until the are mathematically locked in, I won't ever say they are a playoff team, especially 1/4 through the season.

[St. Pats]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

This is the only correct answer. Every year their are multiple teams who look like playoff contenders, only to fizzled out near the end. The worst kind are the teams that play strong until the last 1/4 of the season and then suddenly go on a 2-12 run and lose out. Something like that could easily happen with this team. I'm going to savour every moment because I know it could come crashing down any day. Until the are mathematically locked in, I won't ever say they are a playoff team, especially 1/4 through the season.

Yep it's a bit early to be figuring this out. I'm just pleased watching the games and seeing they are competitive. Plus they are weathering some key injuries up front seemingly very easily. But the goaltending looks to be coming back down to earth and I wonder how long they can keep pumping them into the net. Too early to come to a logical conclusion.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

This is the only correct answer. Every year their are multiple teams who look like playoff contenders, only to fizzled out near the end. The worst kind are the teams that play strong until the last 1/4 of the season and then suddenly go on a 2-12 run and lose out. Something like that could easily happen with this team. I'm going to savour every moment because I know it could come crashing down any day. Until the are mathematically locked in, I won't ever say they are a playoff team, especially 1/4 through the season.

There is an average of two teams per conference that are in the playoffs by American Thanksgiving that are not by the end of the year. In the previous 10 seasons (not including last year as the analysis was done before the playoffs) there were 41 teams in the playoffs on American Thanksgiving that weren't by the end. That's 41/160 teams.

Multiple teams? Yes, but not many in reality

[Tron_fdc]

Put a fork in Arizona, Colorado, Dallas and Edmonton.

Can we beat Minnesota and Winnipeg in the standings for 8th (wildcard notwithstanding)? My money says yes.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

Put a fork in Arizona, Colorado, Dallas and Edmonton.

Can we beat Minnesota and Winnipeg in the standings for 8th (wildcard notwithstanding)? My money says yes.

It's a little early to say that about three of those teams. Arizona, Colorado and Dallas are 5, 5 and 6 points out of the playoffs, all with less games played than San Jose.

[The Fonz]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

That would be Feb or March. They play those teams a total of 19 times.

I thought it was 6 games against each team within your division?

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

I thought it was 6 games against each team within your division?

Some 4, some 5.

[GioforPM]

Each team plays either four or five games against the other teams in its division (a total of 29 games in the Western Conference, 30 games in the Eastern Conference) as well as playing all non-divisional teams in their own conference three times (21 games in the west, 24 games in the east). The remaining games of the season are inter-conference play (32 in the west, 28 in the east), allowing every team in the league to play every other team twice. One Western Conference exception is that one team from each division plays one less game inside Division and one more game inside Conference but outside their Division. Teams rotate every season. The schedule is structured so that every NHL team plays in every arena at least once every year.

[Tron_fdc]

Originally Posted by codynw

It's a little early to say that about three of those teams. Arizona, Colorado and Dallas are 5, 5 and 6 points out of the playoffs, all with less games played than San Jose.

No way any of those 3 catch Chi/LA/SJ.

MAYBE they catch us, but with the wildcard we either have to finish top 3 in the division (not likely) or finish ahead of Minnesota or Winnipeg for 8th.

I can't see Az, Col or Dallas catching either us, or the teams right below us to get into a playoff position. It would take a huge run, and a BIG collapse to make up that point spread.

[heep223]

All I can say is thank you Canucks & Tortorella for seemingly lighting a fire under our organization. Since the incident last year we are playing damn good (ie. playoff quality) hockey....remember that this is carrying over from January of last season, it's not just a flash in the pan this year.

[Goriders]

Personally, I think they will make the playoffs.

[Rick M.]

The top teams crank it up late in the season. Will the Flames have an extra gear? Will they need one?

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by heep223

All I can say is thank you Canucks & Tortorella for seemingly lighting a fire under our organization. Since the incident last year we are playing damn good (ie. playoff quality) hockey....remember that this is carrying over from January of last season, it's not just a flash in the pan this year.

Didn't it actually start earlier than that?

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Didn't it actually start earlier than that?

Not really. They played 11 games after the Christmas break before the Vancouver brawl game and were 2-9-0 and had been shut out 5 times in those 11 games.