2014-15 Flames: Start of something big, or one-year fluke?

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by heep223

Plus continued progression from Gaudreau, Monahan, Colborne, Jooris and Brodie. And hopefully a full year from Backlund.

Unlikely you get more progression from Jooris, and progression isn't linear. Some of these guys will have down years likely

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Unlikely you get more progression from Jooris, and progression isn't linear. Some of these guys will have down years likely

Don't disagree, but one can hope. I think a lot depends on whether we can put a legit secondary scoring line together around Bennett which would free up room for the top line. But that's a big if. I do have a hard time seeing Gaudreau having any major regression points-wise, in large part due to his role on the top PP....he's going to be putting up major pp points really no matter what IMO. He's a wizard out there and with Monny and Gio at full health that PP is going to be deadly.

It could go either way obviously but my personal opinion is that this is the start of something real.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Unlikely you get more progression from Jooris, and progression isn't linear. Some of these guys will have down years likely

The main reason Jooris would have a statistical down year is because he won't be centering Jiri and Johnny for half the season. But he'll still be one of our better possession players with good hands around the net. Put him on Bennett's wing and maybe that line'll wreak havoc, especially if you've got Ferland or Byron on the other wing.

[Antithesis]

I don't really understand that situational comparison between the Flames and the Avs. The Avs had all-world goaltending last year, and lost one of the key parts of their team when Stastny left.

The Flames certainly didn't have anything resembling all-world goaltending, and don't stand to lose any significant piece from the roster.

Of course, there will almost surely be roadblocks on the path towards contending for the Cup, but I don't think the Flames will fall off too heavily in the upcoming season.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

The main reason Jooris would have a statistical down year is because he won't be centering Jiri and Johnny for half the season. But he'll still be one of our better possession players with good hands around the net. Put him on Bennett's wing and maybe that line'll wreak havoc, especially if you've got Ferland or Byron on the other wing.

Also age. At 24 (25?), even though he's low on pro experience, there's not a lot of precedence for vast improvement. Generally speaking, we know now what we have. Could he? Absolutely. Is it likely? No.

Of you look at what Johnny is and how he played this year, by my "gut feeling" I can't see anything but an improvement. Monahan could go either way offensively, but I don't see a dip if he stays first line and his two way play isn't going to slide suddenly.
Bennett is an unknown, but the kid has drive and I think he'll he'll be near the 60 point range but I'm not as sure about that as I am about Gaudreau.

If I'm looking at this team in 3-5 years (probably sooner), I'm ecstatic. Along with the 15th in this draft and guys that are in the system, there's lots to be excited about even if next year isn't better than this year

[GGG]

I think the mistake this year was assuming they were a 28 or worse team when in reality they were a 6-10 in the west team. Next year we will still be in at 6-10 in the west category. So we may miss the playoffs but our level of over achievement relative to or ability this year is a lot less than the media makes it out to be. And if we do finish just outside the regression monsters will have been said to have got us.