Hoping for a huge improvement in special teams. With a better structure, our PP should be killing people.
And with a huge upgrade in net, and a system that doesn't rely on leaving guys open in order to block shots, I'm hoping they can be top 10 in PK this year.
See how Tkachuk does regardless of where he plays.
If sent back to the OHL, does he dominate without his linemates or if he does make the NHL, how does he click with Bennett potentially.
I'm hoping Tkachuk makes the Flames but I think he'll have a bit more competition than Monahan and Bennett had. I'm not saying he's a lesser player, it's just that I don't he'll have an open spot ready for him.
If he does go down it looks like the London Nights aren't sitting around waiting to make moves. They're after Jets 1st rounder Jack Roslovic who played on a line with Tkachuk and Matthews in the USA under-18 program.
Quote:
Two years ago, Winnipeg Jets first-rounder Jack Roslovic played alongside Auston Matthews and Matthew Tkachuk in USA Hockey's under-18 national team development program.
They dubbed themselves the "Superman Line".
Tkachuk, London's Memorial Cup hero, explained the origin of that nickname in a text Wednesday. The three friends watched football star Cam Newton score a touchdown and celebrate by pretending to rip open his jersey as if to reveal the iconic 'S' beneath it.
They loved it.
And now, the Knights hope to reunite two-thirds of that famous "Men of Steel" trio in time to overpower the rest of the Ontario Hockey League this fall. They acquired Roslovic's major junior rights from Flint for a seventh-round pick in 2017 and two conditional second rounders (Mississauga's in '17 and Kingston's in '18).
Undoubtedly, some players will improve under the new bench boss, and others will unfortunately stagnate. Excited to see how that plays out. Very hopeful that we'll see a stronger possession based brand of hockey.
Seeing Johnny continue his rise of becoming an even better player - I think he goes over PPG this year
Very excited to see what the Elliott/Johnson tandem does - my favorite goalie combo ever since I started watching hockey again. Hopefully they seriously stabilize this net.
Cautiously optimistic (and also very excited) to see what a young coaching staff will do now - particularly Glen Gulutzan and how our systems will differ from Hartley (hopefully less dump-ins, stretch passes, more focus on possession)
The continued growth of Hamilton and Brodie, hopefully a great and mostly healthy season from The Captain, and I wonder if under Gulutzan's system, will we witness just as much offense from the backend - will it be possible?
Hopefully a breakout campaign for Sam Bennett
The growth of Monahan and will he hit 30 goals this year as opposed to 27 in 2015-16?
Will Tkachuk make the team? I think he gets 9 games in and goes back to junior but it will be interesting to see what happens. Shiny new toys/relatively unknowns - Pribyl, etc.
Seeing what Brouwer can contribute to this young Flames lineup
If Micheal Ferland can show more of what he did in the Canucks playoff round this year
playoffs???
And probably much more!
Going into the season cautiously optimistic, but very excited.
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Going into the season cautiously optimistic, but very excited.
Now that adequate goaltending is in place, these two items probably tell the tale for this generation of Flames. If they become the players we think they can be, it could be a lot of fun over the next five years.
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"Isles give up 3 picks for 5.5 mil of cap space.
Oilers give up a pick and a player to take on 5.5 mil."
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Beating Edmonton in the first game of the season as they open that new rink.
The Flames are totally going to lose that game. The Oilers will probably win on some OT breakaway winner by Puljujarvi, and go on to win their first 3 games. CP will be teeming with trolls from the north, and the entire city of Edmonton will be rabid about the Oilers resurgence.
By November, all will be normal again.
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With a whole new coach and fairly different line-up, I can't see the playoffs this year. With that said, I'm most excited about trading Wideman, Engelland, and getting some progression out of Bennett, Shinkaruk, and Jokipakka.
1. To see Bennett's progression (really, I'm excited to see the progression of all our youth on the team, but I'm specifically focusing on him)
2. Glen Gulutzan's new system
3. The new pieces! I'm looking forward to seeing Brouwer, Chiasson, and perhaps a player or two from the farm on the team.
