Will the flames make the playoffs next year (2015/2016 season) ?

[Badgers Nose]

They will eclipse 100 points and have a player in the rookie of the year conversation for the third straight year. Monahan will be a Selke candidate.

[Mike F]

Hate to be that guy, but...

This NHL season isn't even over, and we've yet to go through the draft or the busy time of the free agency period, so the team that's going to make the playoffs or not next year is likely a long way from finalized.

Making an assessment now makes no sense.

[Vulcan]

We'll have less third period comebacks because we'll have less games we are behind in the third period.

I'm hoping for Ferland to have a full season and avoid injuries. He'll be a big part of improving our possession minutes. We also need help on defence. Where it comes from, I'm not sure. It could be a new signing or trade, or one of our prospects steps up or a pairing of Schlemko and Engelland excels expectations.

With our great record in the Pacific we should be able to nail down the second spot.

[Major Major]

am I wrong to think it's shameful to not believe in this team after what we just witnessed. I certainly know that it's shameful to bring up advanced stats, fluke year, unsustainable, etc. vomit inducing really.

[Canada 02]

Flames will get over 100 pts, and get home ice in the 1st round

[T@T]

Less points from crazy comebacks but no 8 game loosing streak either.

48-29-5 - 101pts

[Vinny01]

I think we finish 2nd in the pacific. I think Trelivng will make an impressive move this summer where the Flames upgrade a top 6 winger and good 3-5 Dman. They have cap space and several draft picks and prospects that are expendable.

I think the Culture of this team is firmly in place. Johnny has taken big steps every year of his life so I don't see a sophomore slump with him at all. Monahan is a special player I think he continues to at least duplicate last year. I would love to see the Flames add a solid RW to take Hudlers spot on that line. If they could get Patrick Sharp or sign Justin Williams to a 1-2 year deal would be nice fits.

Then Hudler can play on Bennetts wing and provide the same mentor ship he did with Monahan and Gaudreau this past year. It also solidifies the Flames with 2 solid scoring lines.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Mike F

Hate to be that guy, but...

This NHL season isn't even over, and we've yet to go through the draft or the busy time of the free agency period, so the team that's going to make the playoffs or not next year is likely a long way from finalized.

Making an assessment now makes no sense.

It never really makes sense to predict a season, no matter the timing. If it made sense, what would be the point of playing the games? It's just fun to share what people think might happen.

I am in agreement with most people here. In the pacific, Anaheim is a lock for the division. LA is still good as is Vancouver. SJ is on the downswing. If EDM and ARI see major improvement, they still won't be near the playoffs. One more 18 year old won't bring them an additional 30 to 40 points in the standings.

So in reality, it leaves Anaheim 1st in the division, and CGY, VAN, LA battling for 2nd and 3rd. I think Calgary will make the playoffs as top 3 in the division.

If they don't finish top three, it will be hard to qualify thru the WC since the Central has 5 good teams, and Dallas & Colorado aren't horrible.

[Erick Estrada]

I picked no but really this thread should come in August when we have a good idea of what the starting lineup will be.

[FlamesAddiction]

I said yes, but I am probably only slightly better than 50% optimistic.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I said yes, but I am probably only slightly better than 50% optimistic.

Same here, basically.

So many things can happen between now and the start of the season too.

[dino7c]

I don't think anyone is saying it will be easy but there is really no reason we shouldn't at least be in the race...there are no locks in the off season

If I predicted Calgary/Vancouver in the first round last summer you guys would have laughed me off the page

Gio and the Flames stay healthy for most of the year I have to think they are a top 3 team

[tvp2003]

I hope we can battle Anaheim for first in the division but I will be content with second (or even third if LA can bounce back). This year's team exceeded expectations but its hard to argue that they aren't trending up. The return of Gio, a full season of Bennett (and Ferland)... Poirier may even make a push by mid season.

Goaltending could be a question mark but Ortiocould end up being an upgrade as our 1b...

[FBI]

Yes I know we could have had this thread later after things are more clear, but what the heck. I'm bored of rangers vs Tampa bay posts.

[FireGilbert]

Right now it is a yes since they are the second best team in the division. A lot can change after trades and free agency though.

[browna]

Too early to tell. A cautious yes but that's going on a lot of assumptions on how this team has to improve, especially when it comes to consistent scoring past the top line. Not going to surprise too many next year, nor the comebacks.

A couple mid tier ufa's coming in, further development by young players, consistent/continued play from the surprises this year (Wideman), and they will be in the mix. But by no means guaranteed.

You also hope that the whip Hartley uses isn't losing some of its effectiveness.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I picked no but really this thread should come in August when we have a good idea of what the starting lineup will be.

shocking, you picked NO all year long this season too lol

[spuzzum]

Difficult to replicate all the come back wins, OT points, and taking every point available from the Oil. Take away the 8 game losing streak and does it cancel itself out?

Excited to see all the transactions and changes during the summer. Would love to see the team get an established RW like many mention.

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by Otto-matic

As much as I want to say yes, my brain is telling me no.

IMO Anaheim, Chicago, St.Louis and Minnesota are the locks with Calgary, Vancouver, Colorado, LA, Dallas, Winnipeg and San Jose all being tossed up for the last 4 spots.

As much as it pains me to say, Edmonton could be in that mix too all baring on the moves made this summer.

A lot will need to align properly again for the Flames to make the dance. That's the prob

I'd take Vancouver and Dallas out of that list. Vancouver is aging fast and I never understood why people thought Dallas was/is so strong.

However, you forgot Nashville. Still, that's five spots for four teams. Not bad.

For my prediction I'm looking at it more of who on our team could play near or at the level they did this year. We had a ton of career years. Lots of fun this year, but could mean a step back next year. The saving grace is a lot of the career years were from rookies or young players who could easily keep building.

I see Wideman, Russel, Hudler, and Jooris taking a step back. I see Monahan staying about the same point wise but still improving as a player. Gio should be about the same too. Gaudreau and Brodie continue to improve, and we get a full year of Bennett which will give us a nice 1-2 punch at center.

The mystery is how our goaltenders will do. Even who they might be. They don't need to be elite, but they need to have good seasons.

All that said, I see things evening out and us fighting for a spot in thd final 5 games. The optimist in me says we make it in.

[hockey.modern]

I could see us being second in the pacific. We were right behind Anaheim by at least 2/3 points each night until we hit that 8 game loosing streak.