The darkest timeline...

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I’m just ignoring all hockey media. I will watch the games and hope for Florida to win. Smile and change the convo when my Oiler co-workers say anything.

No use in wallowing.

Games on mute or stick to TNT/ESPN coverage which is actually professional and it's alright. Just stay clear of anything Rogers and it's not a bad time.

I don't see much cheerleading or chirping where I go. Occasionally in venues but that's it. Not sure how the finals will change that but until now it's been fine. Most of the toxicity/attention seeking has been online.

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by Lewis_D

This has been without a doubt the worst playoffs since 06.

That was my first year living back in Edmonton too, awful timing. But I still remember how good it felt standing on my front deck after game 7 of the Final ended, finally at peace. It was a beautiful, super quiet (for good reason) evening, it will happen again!

As I said in the other thread, as gross as this run has been, just think how furious Grease fans will be seeing Tkachuk lifting the Cup in KatzWorld, oh man will that ever make it all worth-while

[CSharp]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

Dallas is going to be good for a long time, and probably have a better result ahead of them in the coming seasons.

There's nothing wrong with the model.

There's nothing wrong with the Dallas model, but there are other good teams in the top 5. I think the Flames could look at teams that have been successful in the past 10-15 years and take from each of those teams, not just Dallas Stars. Here are teams that have been quite successful that the Flames should take note:

1) VGK - big and fast up front and huge on D. Get bigger depth at trading deadline.

2) Hurricanes - I don't know how they do it but they keep trading and getting guys coming in that can commit to their system.

3) Panthers - they are fast and big. They already had a lot of good pieces from their drafting before Bennett and Tkachuk got there. A good goalie also helps.

4) Avs, Pens, and Lightnings - I group these 3 together because these teams built championship teams on a core of franchise players when they dipped down low to win the lottery draft. These teams also had good leadership on the team. I would add Oilers here, but I don't think their leadership is anything compared to those 3 teams. Hawks were crappy until they got Kane, Toews, and a couple of d-men as their leadership core. Now with their rebuild, they're likely going the way of the VGK. Just wait a couple of more years - I'll bet the Hawks will be contenders again.

It's a combination of luck, trades, drafts, free agent signings, and foresight to build successful teams. I think the Flames don't really have long term foresight, no luck, and trading away their assets and picks just to make the playoffs is good enough is the result of a drought that's gone on for too long. I think the luck changes when the organization start to realize the importance of obtaining at least one generational/franchise player to build around - and no, it's not around a goalie!

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

Games on mute or stick to TNT/ESPN coverage which is actually professional and it's alright. Just stay clear of anything Rogers and it's not a bad time.

I don't see much cheerleading or chirping where I go. Occasionally in venues but that's it. Not sure how the finals will change that but until now it's been fine. Most of the toxicity/attention seeking has been online.

Ironically, Calgary Puck is the only place I interact with Oilers fan in any regularity.
I don't have any around me in the real world, so it's easy to tune out anything until I come on here.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

Dallas is going to be good for a long time, and probably have a better result ahead of them in the coming seasons.

There's nothing wrong with the model.

I don't see it.

Seems like they have to dip into free agency, and have older players take on key roles and their young players don't push them down or out of the lineup. Robertson is a ghost.

They have some really good pieces, but they lack a superstar up the middle.

Bennett, Barkov, McMickey(puke) are controlling the game, that is why they are in the finals.

[Jason14h]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

I don't see it.

Seems like they have to dip into free agency, and have older players take on key roles and their young players don't push them down or out of the lineup. Robertson is a ghost.

They have some really good pieces, but they lack a superstar up the middle.

Bennett, Barkov, McMickey(puke) are controlling the game, that is why they are in the finals.

I actually agree - same issue with Carolina

They have a very good team and very good players - but they are missing that top 10 guy that takes over a game when it matters

Both should be looking to somehow get a guy like that (like Vegas did with Eichel and to an extent Stone, and Florida with MT )

Now those guys don’t come available very often so it’s easier said then done

[the-rasta-masta]

Maybe the tear down of our team was a requirement to avoid Edmonton winning the cup. Maybe we never stood a chance at winning with that group. And maybe Tkachuk and Bennett needed to go to Florida to stop Edmonton from winning. Maybe without our team's tear down, Edmonton will win the cup this year and keep their team intact with new deals for Drai and Mavi.

I'm choosing to believe the Cats will beat the Oilers and it was all because of the Flames, and this is a better timeline than what would have occured otherwise.

[CSharp]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

I actually agree - same issue with Carolina

They have a very good team and very good players - but they are missing that top 10 guy that takes over a game when it matters

Both should be looking to somehow get a guy like that (like Vegas did with Eichel and to an extent Stone, and Florida with MT )

Now those guys don’t come available very often so it’s easier said then done

Flames had 2 serious cracks at getting those two players and both ended on in Vegas! Tkachuk and Gaudreau for either Stone or Eichel would've great in hindsight!

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by the-rasta-masta

Maybe the tear down of our team was a requirement to avoid Edmonton winning the cup. Maybe we never stood a chance at winning with that group. And maybe Tkachuk and Bennett needed to go to Florida to stop Edmonton from winning. Maybe without our team's tear down, Edmonton will win the cup this year and keep their team intact with new deals for Drai and Mavi.

I'm choosing to believe the Cats will beat the Oilers and it was all because of the Flames, and this is a better timeline than what would have occured otherwise.

This may very well be the reason you can trace it back to if they prevail.

Oilers won a few battles but the war and last laugh may belong to the Flames and Flames fans, just in the most inconceivable way you could think up.

Florida is not the team they are without those two trades. Absolutely pivotal to last year and this year.

There are so many fatigued looking teams and underwhelming performances in these playoffs that I'm thankful for the cats and their unrelenting brand of hockey to cut through all the mediocrity and hopefully keep evil at bay.

[Jason14h]

Originally Posted by CSharp

Flames had 2 serious cracks at getting those two players and both ended on in Vegas! Tkachuk and Gaudreau for either Stone or Eichel would've great in hindsight!

This is where you can argue you couldn’t overpay for Eichel as long as you keep
Your core out of it

Now I know they wanted MT - but assume you say him and JG are the only two untouchables

Now even if the Flames traded 3 firsts + for Eichel and properly locked up their core JG , MT and Eichel is a real first line you could build around for the next 5-7 years

Instead we have a bunch of B prospects , meh players , and stuck in no mans land

[stang]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

Oilers won a few battles but the war and last laugh may belong to the Flames and Flames fans, just in the most inconceivable way you could think up..

Do you really believe the drivel you type?

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by CSharp

There's nothing wrong with the Dallas model, but there are other good teams in the top 5. I think the Flames could look at teams that have been successful in the past 10-15 years and take from each of those teams, not just Dallas Stars. Here are teams that have been quite successful that the Flames should take note:

1) VGK - big and fast up front and huge on D. Get bigger depth at trading deadline.

2) Hurricanes - I don't know how they do it but they keep trading and getting guys coming in that can commit to their system.

3) Panthers - they are fast and big. They already had a lot of good pieces from their drafting before Bennett and Tkachuk got there. A good goalie also helps.

4) Avs, Pens, and Lightnings - I group these 3 together because these teams built championship teams on a core of franchise players when they dipped down low to win the lottery draft. These teams also had good leadership on the team. I would add Oilers here, but I don't think their leadership is anything compared to those 3 teams. Hawks were crappy until they got Kane, Toews, and a couple of d-men as their leadership core. Now with their rebuild, they're likely going the way of the VGK. Just wait a couple of more years - I'll bet the Hawks will be contenders again.

It's a combination of luck, trades, drafts, free agent signings, and foresight to build successful teams. I think the Flames don't really have long term foresight, no luck, and trading away their assets and picks just to make the playoffs is good enough is the result of a drought that's gone on for too long. I think the luck changes when the organization start to realize the importance of obtaining at least one generational/franchise player to build around - and no, it's not around a goalie!

I would argue that due to the Panthers approach they were able to take some luck out of the equation.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by stang

Do you really believe the drivel you type?

Maybe, maybe not. Let's revisit it when the Oilers lose.

I'm flattered you give my drivel so much of your attention though.

[stang]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

Maybe, maybe not. Let's revisit it when the Oilers lose.

I'm flattered you give my drivel so much of your attention though.

You post about the oilers 2x more then the next closest person on this board.

Flattered you give the Oilers so much attention

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by stang

You post about the oilers 2x more then the next closest person on this board.

Flattered you give the Oilers so much attention

Then we should get along great! I don't know why you get your sweat-panties in a knot every other day. Isn't attention what you're here for, on a calgary board?

I'm just talking hockey. It's a great community after all.

I don't know. If you're going to discourage discussion, maybe you need to take Bingo's advice.

[DiracSpike]

The flames exist to give us something to do in this city on a cold Tuesday in January. That, and once every 8 years they’ll win one playoff round. It’s not much, but it’s better than not having a local team. The sooner you accept that, the happier you’ll be.

Am I expecting our roster of soviets and our Short King overrated AHL goalie to get us a bunch of wins next season? No. But am I confident that I can snag a bunch of free tickets from clients and crush some beer and Zyn and have a decent time? Yes.

[Ashasx]

I just have higher hopes for a team that is getting a brand new taxpayer funded arena. I would like to see this team take the goal of winning a Cup a little more seriously. Maybe I'm just an optimist.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I just have higher hopes for a team that is getting a brand new taxpayer funded arena. I would like to see this team take the goal of winning a Cup a little more seriously. Maybe I'm just an optimist.

Winning the Stanley Cup isn't a goal. It's a dream.

The closest goal to that is to give your team the best possible shot at winning over a period of years. Then you have to hope they perform up to expectation and get some puck luck in the playoffs. But those things are out of your hands, as an owner or a GM, and certainly as a fan.

But the real goal of most owners is to make money, and deliberately wrecking your team costs millions of dollars a year. This is why no team goes into a full rebuild until it's forced on them. Think otherwise? Name one.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by the-rasta-masta

Maybe the tear down of our team was a requirement to avoid Edmonton winning the cup. Maybe we never stood a chance at winning with that group. And maybe Tkachuk and Bennett needed to go to Florida to stop Edmonton from winning. Maybe without our team's tear down, Edmonton will win the cup this year and keep their team intact with new deals for Drai and Mavi.

I'm choosing to believe the Cats will beat the Oilers and it was all because of the Flames, and this is a better timeline than what would have occured otherwise.

Exquisite

How beautiful will it be to see that the hockey gods do exist after all and have simply been playing 4D chess

Or simply that Florida had an astute manager that built a very good team using the tools at his disposal

[icarus]

One thing I learned from 2004:

Buy a bunch of 2024 Stanley Cup Finals patches. Sit on them for a few years and sell them on eBay to nostalgic Greaser fans in a few years at a profit.