Are the flames a true cup contender?

[vilzeh]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Good topic but when you start off your post with:

"Take off the homer glasses for a minute, stop listening to the media and other fans that don't have a clue. "

I have no desire to engage.

You’re a party animal.

[Flaming Horse]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Last year COL looked to be a cut above the pack, as TBL had for the prior 2 or 3 years. This year, I don't see any team that is a cut above everyone else, as COL is a bit weaker with the loss of Kadri.

The Flames are as good as any team in the top tier - I think they are at the same level as CAR, COL, TOR, and TBL

Next 5 I would include: FLA, MIN, NYR, BOS, and maybe STL or EDM

These are some good points. When you are saying the flames are as good as these teams you are probably talking personnel wise. If Sutter can get the team back to playing with that structure and identity, this is where the flames can have a real advantage.

[Street Pharmacist]

I have to say I'm pessimistic on that. There seems to be little chemistry with the newbies and there's no guarantees any of the new combos work. Yes that often takes time, but is half a season long enough? It'll have to be

[Goriders]

I’d say they are 1 or 2 forwards away from being a true top 3 or 4 contender.

Markstrom will be the real key. He ended the year poorly and looked brutal in the preseason. If he doesn’t get to where he was last season during the regular season the rest won’t matter.

A lot of other things come into play as well. Like how long is takes to build chemistry and injuries. I think the chemistry part is going to take 10-15 games.

But for sure the Flames should be in the mix.

[dammage79]

Are they a true cup contender? Guess we will find out.
If Cup contender equates to teams like perennials like TB, then no, no reason to say as much.

Are they even in the same convo as the AVs or the stronger teams? TBD.

I don't think there's any way even as it looks on paper to justify calling the Flames or any team a true cup contender until they contend for an actual cup (IMO, playing in the finals).

So .... no? Maybe? Definitely not a yes.

I'm excited to see what they can do this year. I haven't been this excited since Lindholms first year.

[activeStick]

In the pre-season, the only thing people have are rosters on paper and from that respect, the Flames are definitely contenders compared to other teams. One of the best groups on D, a returning Vezina nominee and an above average backup, and a deep forward group that admittedly lacks a high-end finisher. What they end up as is going to play itself out over the season. My guess is they find their way after the new guys develop chemistry with their linemates. Adding Kadri for me is the key piece that has me feeling this way as it really strengthened the depth down the middle. Without the Kadri signing, I'd have a lot more questions.

[1qqaaz]

Originally Posted by tony-soprano

Without a top RW, no.

I think barring the Flames being hugely disappointing, the Flames will surely use draft picks to acquire a top 6 winger.

[saillias]

We Need Kylington back - to play & to give us leeway to make a trade. Maybe a top 6 RW to move guys down, or a 3rd line RW to let forwards like Toffoli and Dube have more sheltered zone starts and opportunities to score.

Sutter's demands for a 5 man unit system and the speed & conditioning required to play this way seem to filter out a lot of guys. Seems it even takes cup champs like Coleman and Toffoli months or full season to get used to it

They've been bargain bin shopping, but at this point Tre must realize another 27 year old Dylan McKlembo on waivers with 30 career points is obviously not going to be able to step in and meet expectations.

[Calgary4LIfe]

On paper, 100% they are a contender.



I thin over time, they will show themselves to be contenders. I think the team will actually start slowly (hopefully not, but I do think that) given the MASSIVE amount of change, but they will eventually figure it out.


I disagree with the notion of needing a true sniper, or that it was an issue against Edmonton. Terrible defensive play against McDavid and Draisaitl lost the Flames the series. Having another sniper score a goal a game or two wouldn't change a thing.



Flames are built the right way to win - Goalies => Defence => Centres => Wingers. They are VERY deep right until wingers, and the wingers are by no means bad. Not many teams will beat out Huberdeau - Mangiapane - Toffoli - Dube. Those that can, will not be the Flames in all the other areas too.


Just remember to be patient and let this season unfold. There will be growing pains with all the change, but I think these players have enough drive and smarts to make it work and be successful. Don't forget they have fantastic coaching too.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by Flaming Horse

What I have been disappointed with is the teams lack of playing with structure and an identity. They played this way for about the first 45-50 games last year and then got away from it the rest of the year and definitely in the oilers series.They really need to play with a structure and a high compete level if they are going to be successful in the first two games. They need to slow teams down like the avs and greasers. Good gap control, take away the neutral zone and strong zone entry denial.This is where I hope Weegar can be successful in denying good zone entries.

Did you watch a different team? The Flames took off after about the half way point last season and ran away with the division. They really didn't have a bad stretch they did have a stretch pre and post covid when the team looked disjointed but overall last season was one the least stressful seasons I've watched. We went into the playoffs looking like legit contenders.

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by jar_e

I will feel infinitely more comfortable with our path after seeing what type of Markstrom we get early on in the season. I really hope he’s not mentally fragile after the way last season ended.

Yeah, he let in yet, another 5-hole goal.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1579523826983260160

[Enoch Root]

like father, like son

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by tony-soprano

Without a top RW, no.

i mean he hasn't been great here but how soon we forget that toffoli powered the Habs to the finals as a top RW a whole fifteen months ago

[Vinny01]

The Flames have all the ingredients to be a legit cup contender. They have one of the best goalies in the league, they have on paper likely the deepest blueline in the league and while they lack a franchise elite number 1 they have 6 guys who can play in most teams top 4 and 4 guys who can play on a top pair. They have an elite hall of fame coach who has a proven track record of winning cups and taking teams on deep runs. They have 3 really good centers. 2 of their centers are decent number 1’s and another has been a solid #2 for many years. The team has an elite franchise winger who is one of the highest scoring players in the league going over a point per game for 4 straight years.

Most of their players are in their mid20’s to early30’s and several have won cups and been on deep runs with other teams. The Flames are missing a young impact player on the wing but have everything else. I do feel goals will be a bit harder to come by and I think there is going to be a player added to bolster the top 9 preferably a right wing.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by midniteowl

Yeah, he let in yet, another 5-hole goal.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1579523826983260160

Markstrom looked like Mike Smith there.

[jayswin]

I would say we're a top line winger away. And more importantly a top line, skilled winger that gels with Huberdeau. He is incredible, but you can see that slower, less skilled finishers struggle to anticipate and finish what he starts.

Now obviously some of that could go away with his playing partners getting more used to how he plays and passes. But I believe we really need to make one more major move to bring in a pure, skilled goal scorer that can hammer Huberdeau's passes.

[edslunch]

I think they will be a contender but ultimately fall short due to not having a superstar or two. Great depth and some really good players but I don't see a game-breaker like McKinnon or Makar or McDavid (not saying Edmonton is a contender).

In a tight series who will be the difference maker? Markstrom could be and with the great depth on D maybe that's all they need, but in a close low-scoring playoff game I'd love to have a stone-cold killer of a superstar available.

[dissentowner]

The title of this thread should have been: Attention Debbie Downers, let's gather amass to try and #### on the great vibes here in a dedicated thread!

[FormerPresJamesTaylor]

Not a true contender, no true game breaking star.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by FormerPresJamesTaylor

Not a true contender, no true game breaking star.

Ya, a guy who was in the Hart discussion and had 115 points last year is not a true game breaking star. What a bad take.