2013-14 Flames Expectations

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by browna

Will be interesting to see how this season is going to be spun to those who've plopped down their STH money, and fans in general as far as "hope".

Not so sure I've heard them come out and say "be patient for a couple seasons" just quite yet, and still have a few months of the summer to form something more then we see today, but...

They (Edwards) shot for Shanahan to get a new voice and a bit of a new perspective in there, and lost out. That's a huge blow to the offseason plan IMO.

Retained the GM who was kept around in the first place to get the last out of the core, which are now all but gone...that GM has been given the responsibility to clear house and draft, spend the cap space they have, and and try and shuffle the chairs on the titanic while the team builds back its desirability as a destination.

Same with the coach...a coach meant to coach the last years out of a core that is now gone, and a coach that certainly didn't seem to enamor himself to too many players...a couple of them where shipped out in the same deal. Nevermind the horrible defensive play, considering he inherited much of the same solid if not dull) defensive team Sutter had.

Is all the hype going into this season to be based around the draft picks made last week? Not much else of note to get interested in.

As for the young guys, there's a fine line of playing hard and not giving up game by game; its another (in so far as confidence) to see that constant effort not end up with results more often than not.

Not going to lie, but I was pretty pissed that they decided to raise ticket prices again, especially when the response was "we could have raised them higher", coming off a lockout. But with them having massive amounts of cap space and raising the ticket prices?

The organization will be pocketing north of 20 million this season. I will not be renewing if they decide to raise them again.

[tvp2003]

I'm hoping we have a solid idea who will be our goaltender of the future. Would be happy with a 1a and 1b scenario as well.

I also hope Giordano embraces the Captain's role and proves he can be the guy that will lead this team back into contention in a few years.

I also hope McGrattan smashes a lot of faces.

[Heavy Jack]

I think our team could surprise people this year but it's truly riding on how well our goaltending/Defense pans out. I don't think we are fully done with additions yet either but we have added a lot of size to the line-up which is great to see. First 10 games of the year will be very telling of how this team is going to perform this upcoming season IMO.

[dissentowner]

Karri Ramo for the Vezina!

[HOWITZER]

The league introduces a relegation system and the team gets relegated to the AHL and replaced with the Mooseheads.

But actually,

I like the optimism in the thread, but seriously? Competing for a playoff position isn't going to be happening for at least another season, if not another AFTER that. I think we'll be competitive after Ekblad/Reinhart and McDavid are both dressed for the Flames.

Short of that, this is gonna be a loooooong season.

[Justin]

Personally speaking, I can't think of any team that's any worse off than the Flames. Right now, they're comprised of a youth, and experienced NHL players who would fight to play a 3rd line role on the majority of other NHL teams.

That being said, I am fine with a 27-30th finish. This organization desperately needs their prospect cupboard re-stocked. Monahan and Baertschi are great starting points.

I'm a firm believer in giving the kids ample opportunites. The Flames aren't winning the cup next year, finishing 9th only dampers their hopes of a high draft pick. Cut the fat, recoup and acquire what you can for older players, and let the kids develop and grow.

[TurnedTheCorner]

A long, ugly year. Top 10 draft pick for sure. We'll somehow get screwed out of a top five.

[flambers]

Around 27th to 30th (i.e. top 5 pick), its going to be a lengthy rebuild.

[CaptainCrunch]

Around 27th and then much better the year after and so on.

I expect this team to do what a lot of you wanted.

I expect this team to be horrible but enthusiastic.

[$ven27]

Pick up Ekblad next draft, and McDavid the next one, and I'll be happy.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by $ven27

Pick up Ekblad next draft, and McDavid the next one, and I'll be happy.

Yeah if we finish last two years in a row there's a bigger problem then personal on the ice.

The expectation is that this team has to rebuild but actually show an effort at getting better.

I would be extremely unhappy if this team finished dead last over the next two years.

I don't necessarily expect a playoff berth, but the team has to be moving towards it. That has to start this year by building a base of young players that we have or are in the system.

[stignasty]

This is my expectation:


With that being said, any signs of improvement will be the source of happiness.

[Lanny'sDaMan]

Originally Posted by HOWITZER

The league introduces a relegation system and the team gets relegated to the AHL and replaced with the Mooseheads.

But actually,

I like the optimism in the thread, but seriously? Competing for a playoff position isn't going to be happening for at least another season, if not another AFTER that. I think we'll be competitive after Ekblad/Reinhart and McDavid are both dressed for the Flames.

Short of that, this is gonna be a loooooong season.

I've seen maybe three posts that put the Flames above dead last (mine included) optimism is NOT the word I would use to describe the feeling on this board.

[Kickazzflames]

Cause I am used to disappointment and I am extremely pessimistic..

We start off 10-3-2 and we all wonder how it is possible..

Then we drop to 15-13-5 and we figure this is the team we expected..

The drop continues to 17-21-6 and we all start to dream of the #1 pick..

We have a few key injuries and call up more young guys to play..

Immediately we improve to 26-25-7.. we praise how good our prospect pool is and how good our future could be, except now our injured guys start to return to the line up.

We maintain a steady pace.. 31-29-8 and we trade away pending UFA's for some draft picks..

We proceed to 35-29-8 and suddenly we actually think we have a chance for playoffs..

Then we go 36-38-8... we all let out a big sigh and realize the rebuild might be a long one.

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

Right now they are young guns era bad on paper.

Back then the flames had crap players, crap coaching, and crap (&poor) management. So they stayed bad year after year.

If the flames are still young guns era bad next summer then you have your answers on Hartley and feaster.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

5th in the division, sneak a crossover playoff spot.

Daryl is that you?

[Singularity]

Excellent shot at 30th

[LouCypher]

If the expectation is that they will finish last then they can only either meet that expectation or over-achieve! We may just be finally out of the underachiever boat.

[Stay Golden]

Wouldn't mind Brenden Morrow he is still out there.

[Anduril]

24th overall. Small steps.