Your 2014/2015 Calgary Flames - Better or Worse?

[Tinordi]

If there's a year to take your medicine then next year is it.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by mrdonkey

Better. The Flames were sunk this year by that horrible stretch where they just couldn't score a goal on home ice.

We'll still have a horrible stretch. We might have a few. No young team can go a full season without ups and downs.

I think at times we'll look better, and at times we'll look worse. That's ok though, it's all part of a rebuild. Hopefully 2 steps forward and 1 step back repeated a few times....and not do as the Oilers do, were you just stay on 0 in perpetuity.

[mrdonkey]

Originally Posted by Table 5

We'll still have a horrible stretch. We might have a few. No young team can go a full season without ups and downs.



I think at times we'll look better, and at times we'll look worse. That's ok though, it's all part of a rebuild. Hopefully 2 steps forward and 1 step back repeated a few times....and not do as the Oilers do, were you just stay on 0 in perpetuity.

True enough. Maybe I'm being overly optimistic, but I think if Johnny, Sven, and whoever we pick up at the draft are in the lineup we'll be looking a lot more offensively threatening. And our goaltending situation will almost certainly be improved over what we got from Berra, McDonald, and Ramo to start the season.

[Poe969]

I don't think it's going to be possible to even be this good next year, I think there are going to be some growing pains along the way for a few of the "kids" on the team and I think this year was an exception to the rule, not the norm when it comes to the effort Hartley is going to get from the players.

I'm looking forward to having a year of young players like Monahan, Sven, Arnold, Johnny and a few other kids on the team learning and gaining experience. I'm not expecting them to finish 30th but I wouldn't be surprised if they did.

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

If they are not better Burke should be lynched.

He has some young talent that will improve, trade chips he can play, a tonne of cap space and a blank cheque budget.

Some options won't make sense for the flames at this point, so I'm not expecting a huge leap, but the team should be better.

[Poe969]

There is no guarntee that the team will get better and if that's what you believe then you're setting yourself up to be disapointed. Monahan had a great rookie season but he could always take a step back and suffer a softmore slump, any "kids" that make the team could experience some growing pains translating their game to the big league, some of the trade chips we have could hold out or cancel a trade because of any movement clauses they have and even if they get traded it would most likely make the team take a step back (if Glencross gets traded we probably get worse). Having a ton of cap space and money doesn't mean you'll get anyone you want so free agency isn't the answer either.

Another thing is that because we'll improve, doesn't mean that other teams won't too. There's no guarntee's on what happens next year but if I was a gambling man, I'd bet they finish in the bottom 3 spots next year.

[theoforever]

I think, virtually every single young prospect we have needs 1 more year of AHL. At that point we should have several prospects ready to make the jump.
At this point, Max and perhaps Grandlund would be the best bet to make a jump. Johnny has a shot at the big club too and on D Wotherspoon or Breen if he is still with organization.

This was a great year despite the low standing. It will be hard to duplicate.

I hope Backs can continue his strong play.
I expect Colborne to make a big step up.
Slight regression from Gio and Hudler.
Slight improvement from Brodie.
If we can't sign Cammy that's a huge hole.
D. Jones and TJG could be gone.

All in all, I think we will be worse unless Cammy stays and couple of guys step up, or we get some good additions from outside.

[Hackey]

Personally I'd like to see all our young guys improve and a few other prospects become regulars. As for place in the standings I don't really know or care. This season was more enjoyable than any of the past 2 or 3. If were worse than we get a chance at one of the top 2. If were better than our young guys are making strides. Both are fine with me.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Bend it like Bourgeois

If they are not better Burke should be lynched.

He has some young talent that will improve, trade chips he can play, a tonne of cap space and a blank cheque budget.

Some options won't make sense for the flames at this point, so I'm not expecting a huge leap, but the team should be better.

I think even stubborn Burke knows what is coming in next years draft. When has he ever mentioned a draft over a year away like he has for the 2015 draft?

He's not going to tank us, but I think next year we'll be idle in moves, we'll lose our top scorer, and we'll try to slide into the top 3 and get a franchise changing player.

[Huntingwhale]

I think sophomore slumps are a very real thing and the Flames will be affected by it. I'd love nothing more then to be wrong and challenge for a playoff spot, but I think us having a leap like Colorado did this season will happen the season after. If there ever was a reason to get worse, next season is it. Have a chance for McDavid and give the young guys an even bigger role.

But I also wouldn't be surprised if we improve and actually challenge for a spot. I think goaltending is the least of our problems. For the most part the team seems to have tightened up defensively. The identity and work ethic has been layed out. Now it's time to let the young guys mature over the next couple years. Stay the course and enjoy the summer, knowing full well the 1st year of the rebuild was a huge success.

[EldrickOnIce]

If Flames Draft top 3 next year, rebuild is done.
Enough high end pieces in top 6 in place from within to augment with a signing or two. Still questions/holes in defence, but that's another year of development and they may know if they have goaltending.
Definitely not enough pieces in place yet

[PeteMoss]

You can replace a lot of Cammy's offense with Glencross staying healthy. Cammy had 26 goals this year, a healthy Glencross will be right at that same level.

So assuming Glencross' health... you need to make up the 12 goals that Glencross has this year. If the Flames can live with one goon next instead of two, Galiardi being replaced by someone and some imrpovement from Colborne, etc... you'll be ok offensively.

[automaton 3]

I think they'll have trouble replacing Cammalleri and his 8 GWGs, should he sign elsewhere.

If Cammalleri returns and the Flames stay relatively healthy, they could be in the mix for playoffs.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Bend it like Bourgeois

If they are not better Burke should be lynched.

I really hope that's not the attitude the Flames have, because that's what leads to panic trades and mortgaging the future. There will be ups and downs for a couple of seasons yet...and I think that's ok.

This summer, If I'm Burke (or the new GM):

DOs:

• Listen to the scouts at the Draft and realize they seem to have some positive moment.
• Look to trade for young defensemen. Ideally someone in their early 20s who has some development time behind him, but is stuck in the AHL or behind a depth on another team. Try to do so by leveraging vets or B-level prospects, not guys like Sven.
• Bring in a veteran to replace Cammy's leadership and skill. Someone will need to be the go-to guy next year, and I don't see Glencross being that guy.
• Hoard draft picks as much as possible. Be extremely protective of the ones we already have in the 1-3rd round range.
• Sign character UFAs who can offer a teaching opportunity to kids, and who ideally might be Trade-deadline bait.
• See if there is a way to acquire a big, but talented, young (under 23) forward who can fit in on the top 2 lines. This (or a relatively proven great dman) is the only guy I would consider trading a Sven-level prospect for.
• Decide if Ramo will be #1 or split with Ortio. If Ramo is #1, bring in an calming-presence backup who will be a team player (ie, Jamie Mclennan type).

DON'Ts:

• Do not get myopic at the draft and only focus on size.
• Do not trade the farm for James Reimer.
• Do not trade the farm for some forward in his prime.
• Do not trade the farm for Shea Webber.
• Do not sign UFAs with character issues.
• Do not trade for a guy just because he is big. He must be good too.

[Imported_Aussie]

6th in Pacific division, 10-13th in Western conference, 22-27th overall. Same or very slight improvement.
Big holes are top 2/4D, first line wing, second line wing, true #1 centre (though Backlund + Monohan is good for now, especially as their games have taken steps forward). I like the bottom 6 forwards, good depth and competition there, and for now, Colborne as a top 6 RW will do.

Now if things fall into place and Gaudreau/Sven can be one of the top 6 wings, the drafted player can fill an immediate hole (by winning lottery and getting Ekblad or Reinhart) and other guys in the organization take a step forward, then the Flames could challenge the mid tier of the Pacific division (Canucks, Coyotes, Stars) and be a dark horse for the playoffs. That would take a season with players making major strides and injuries low/not to key players.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by Jets4Life

Assuming the GM makes the right moves, MUCH MUCH BETTER. Calgary and Winnipeg will both make the playoffs. The Oilers will come in last again.

I assume you're in no condition to operate heavy machinery, right? I think it sys that on the bottle.

[Flames_F.T.W]

I think we'll be in the 8-10th place in the conference. Monahan and Buckland will continue to improve and Brodie and Giordano will be our anchors on defense. Take into account the growing pains our goaltenders went through at the beginning of the year and how Ramo improved dramatically in the past few months, I think we'll be better next year but not quite ready for playoffs.

I also think that Gaudreau has the ability to be a game changer, and I hope he is, but I'm worried about his size/weight and how he holds up over an 82 game schedule. If he can avoid injuries, I think he can be our 'poor man's' Patrick Kane... but that might be after some seasoning in the AHL adjusting to the pro game.

I think Gaudreau and perhaps what we do with our 1st round pick this year (draft or trade) will be the 'X' factors for next season.

[Igottago]

Calgary will be nowhere near the playoffs next year, people should be checking their expectations. Yes, the team played well since late January, but its still largely an AHL team. Some guys will get better, some guys will drop off. Next season is still year 2 of the rebuild. I think theres still a strong possibility the Flames still take a step back before making a real step forward to becoming a team that can do it over an 82 game season and compete with the best teams in the league. They need to stay the course and keep making good use of these high draft picks.

[Geeoff]

I don't think we could possibly be worse than Buffalo. That leaves us in pretty much the same spot.

[mikephoen]

Unless the NHL radically changes the draft lottery next year, there are going to be a lot of teams actively trying to tank.

I expect Nashville let Trots go today for just that reason. Bring in a new coach, sell the fans on a new 'up tempo' plan without having the personnel to play that way and bam! Instant crash to the bottom of the standings.

Buffalo started next year's tank early by dumping anyone who can actually play. Edmonton is Edmonton. Vancouver is Edmonton. Florida will always be bad. Carolina loves to tank. Lou in NJ loves to bend the rules, so I can definitely see the Devils purposely trying to lose. Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Washington, Phoenix, NY Islanders (Obviously!)... any of these teams could be right there at the bottom.

Even if the Flames have less points next year, they'll be higher in the standings I expect. There will probably be about 10 teams in each division actually trying to make the playoffs past December. The other 10 will be trying to dump assets and lose, lose, lose. Especially if there are now as many as four players who could be franchise players in the 2015 draft.

Hopefully the NHL sees this and will re-weight the lottery so the bottom ten or so teams all have a fairly equal chance at a top 3 pick.