Aaron Ward predicts Flames make 2014/2015 Playoffs

[Igster]

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

Props to Ward he had more faith in the Flames then most of us did prior to game 1.
Most of Sportsnet analysis have been positive about the Flames since they have been rolling.
Many of the TSN analysis not so much. Still hoping the other shoe will fall soon on our team.
I think TSN still has the Flames ranked 24th for "their" power rankings. Only 2 above the lowly Greasers.

Well...TSN can get bent.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Five-hole

As good as we've been playing, it's hard to look at the wild card standings and not think we're still in tough. Basically we have to keep winning at the same pace (no duh, I know) ... It's nice to have these points in the bank, certainly.

Assuming the following teams are locks based on the standings thus far:

Anaheim
St. Louis
Vancouver
Nashville

We're going to have to beat out three of:

Chicago
Minnesota
Los Angeles
San Jose
Winnipeg

Maybe Nashville or Vancouver aren't for real. Winnipeg probably isn't. Let's hope Niemi continues to be hot garbage, and Chicago or LA continue to struggle. Minnesota is coming on pretty good.

I guess what I'm saying is, we're going to have to be REALLY good to win our way in. More likely is that a few of these teams continue to not be very good.

Van is no where near as good as the standings suggest, IMO. The 3 games against EDM pad their record.

I am not concerned about WPG. And I think they can keep pace with VAN, SJS and NAS.

[skudr248]

Aaron Ward is a smart man.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Bandwagon In Flames

In all fariness to Aaron Ward, the guy had inside ties to the Boston organization. When Boston's GM thought that the deal was about to be finalized, I think we can give Ward the pass on jumping the gun. Was a very uncommon situation as the Flames decided to make the classier move instead of taking the better deal.

I wasn't as ambitious as Ward saying the Flames would make the playoffs, but you could tell quite early that many prospects were knocking at the door. Of course they'd have better results than last year. A year with ~50 one goal games, many of which didn't quite go their way.

However, If Gio or Brodie go down then Ward is going to look like an idiot. Flames currently have 0 defensive depth and it shows everytime Diaz takes the ice. Not sure how many AHL guys could step up beyond Wotherspoon.

No he's not.

By saying the Flames were going to make the playoffs, he was being somewhat tongue in cheek, but was also acknowledging that he thought they were a pretty good team, despite everyone else thinking they were going to suck.

It turns out that he was absolutely right. And bold for saying it.

Whether or not they actually make the playoffs is completely irrelevant in that respect.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

Props to Ward he had more faith in the Flames then most of us did prior to game 1.

Most of Sportsnet analysis have been positive about the Flames since they have been rolling.

Many of the TSN analysis not so much. Still hoping the other shoe will fall soon on our team.

I think TSN still has the Flames ranked 24th for "their" power rankings. Only 2 above the lowly Greasers.

TSN can fly a kite.

In their highlight pack last night they had the Flames as the very last, and gave them about 10 seconds. Showed like one goal and the shootout winner and then moved on to pumpkin toss or whatever. This is what the rest of the country sees. Didn't capture the essence of what happened last night in the slightest.

Not that I'm surprised... They have had it in for the Flames for years, I think because the flames are a classy tight lipped organization that doesn't leak info to them nor play favourites in the media.

Eff you TSN I'm glad sportsnet got the rights.

[saillias]

Originally Posted by heep223

TSN can fly a kite.

In their highlight pack last night they had the Flames as the very last, and gave them about 10 seconds. Showed like one goal and the shootout winner and then moved on to pumpkin toss or whatever. This is what the rest of the country sees. Didn't capture the essence of what happened last night in the slightest.

Not that I'm surprised... They have had it in for the Flames for years, I think because the flames are a classy tight lipped organization that doesn't leak info to them nor play favourites in the media.

Eff you TSN I'm glad sportsnet got the rights.

Agreed, though for some reason Treliving talks to Dreger, as he's had the inside scoop on our business lately.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

I think TSN still has the Flames ranked 24th for "their" power rankings. Only 2 above the lowly Greasers.

Last I saw (Nov 3) TSN had the Flames at 10

[Gaudfather]

[Robbob]

To be honest I never would have expected the growth of the young kids. It seems like some are developing at an exponential rate. If that is the case and they are the real deal then we will have no shot at McDavid and maybe a shot at the players. The thing that excites me the most is the kids are major contributors.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Five-hole

As good as we've been playing, it's hard to look at the wild card standings and not think we're still in tough. Basically we have to keep winning at the same pace (no duh, I know) ... It's nice to have these points in the bank, certainly.

Assuming the following teams are locks based on the standings thus far:

Anaheim
St. Louis
Vancouver
Nashville

We're going to have to beat out three of:

Chicago
Minnesota
Los Angeles
San Jose
Winnipeg

Maybe Nashville or Vancouver aren't for real. Winnipeg probably isn't. Let's hope Niemi continues to be hot garbage, and Chicago or LA continue to struggle. Minnesota is coming on pretty good.

I guess what I'm saying is, we're going to have to be REALLY good to win our way in. More likely is that a few of these teams continue to not be very good.

Vancouver IS NOT a lock. Not even close. I would say from that list only Anaheim, St. Louis, and maybe Nashville. We can also be pretty confident that LA and Chicago find their way in. I posted in another thread that the Flames essentially need to beat out two of Vancouver, Minnesota/Nashville (one of these teams will be in the top three in the Central), SJ, or Winnipeg. That is very doable, and no, it does not require that the Flames continue to play at a 0.65 clip. They need to be good. Fortunately, they are proving that they are exactly that.

[Ashasx]

I think some people on this forum need to attend Internet Memes 101.

[Igster]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I think some people on this forum need to attend Internet Memes 101.

Remember life before Internet memes?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

This one made me laugh. Flames=Best offensive team in the West and 5th in the league. To be fair, I can't blame Locke for thinking that at the time.

I for one am saying this right now:

I apologize for my initial comments insinuating that Aaron Ward was on drugs.

Those werent really polite or appropriate and, if need be, I'll write him a letter or email attesting to that fact or even a public apology if he prefers.

Wardo and I were complete polar opposites at the beginning of the season, I was thinking the Flames were going to be dead last, while I was prepared to be pleasantly surprised I believed that the concept of the Flames making the playoffs this season was absolutely laughable.

My opinion was: maybe not dead last, but lottery.

I'd love to know what Ward saw to lead him to his statement but I'll give the guy credit. I still believe that we're both wrong, I dont see the Flames as a lottery team anymore and I dont see them making the playoffs.

But Ward is likely much closer to being right than I was. I guess thats why they pay for his opinions.

[IamNotKenKing]

Quote:
Mattman
Didn't Aaron Ward also think Iginla was traded to Boston....
Why wouldn't you trust him!!?

Calumniate:
He was close! It was Feaster that messed it up and gave him a choice :-) Where is Ward these days anyways? Did he get fired for this prediction?

No, no, no.

1) Ward is at TSN.
2) Ward was told by Boston that Iginla was going there.
3) Feaster did right by Iginla by relying on his word that the four teams provided were "on his list", and that they would remain there. Iginla then changed his mind.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Locke

I for one am saying this right now:

I apologize for my initial comments insinuating that Aaron Ward was on drugs.

Those werent really polite or appropriate and, if need be, I'll write him a letter or email attesting to that fact or even a public apology if he prefers.

Wardo and I were complete polar opposites at the beginning of the season, I was thinking the Flames were going to be dead last, while I was prepared to be pleasantly surprised I believed that the concept of the Flames making the playoffs this season was absolutely laughable.

My opinion was: maybe not dead last, but lottery.

I'd love to know what Ward saw to lead him to his statement but I'll give the guy credit. I still believe that we're both wrong, I dont see the Flames as a lottery team anymore and I dont see them making the playoffs.

But Ward is likely much closer to being right than I was. I guess thats why they pay for his opinions.

I was in the same boat as you.

Ward said it was because of how they played as a team. As a Stanley Cup winner on a team with no superstars, he's probably a good voice to listen to in this department

[TheDebaser]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I think some people on this forum need to attend Internet Memes 101.

At the very least everyone should watch Office Space at least once.

[PegCityFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by heep223

TSN can fly a kite.

In their highlight pack last night they had the Flames as the very last, and gave them about 10 seconds. Showed like one goal and the shootout winner and then moved on to pumpkin toss or whatever. This is what the rest of the country sees. Didn't capture the essence of what happened last night in the slightest.

Not that I'm surprised... They have had it in for the Flames for years, I think because the flames are a classy tight lipped organization that doesn't leak info to them nor play favourites in the media.

Eff you TSN I'm glad sportsnet got the rights.

I came home from the Jets game hoping to see highlights. Sportscentre and That's hockey were both on at the same time. Both had 10 minutes of Leafs loss, reaction, interviews and for some stupid reason Instant Analysis. We then had 2 minutes of the Habs (Rolling in the East), the Jets, and some mention of Hiller's first game against the Ducks. I've honestly given up on watching Sportscentre.

[HighwayWest]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Having said that in the tough west I don't see how the flames get out of the basement unless Gio is in the running for the Norris, Monahan becomes a legit first line C, Johnny wins the Calder, and our goalies light it up.

Check, check, hopefully and entirely possible check, aaaand check.

[Iggy Snipe]

Originally Posted by trackercowe

^ Eh mediocre teams make it into the East every year. Really there's only a handful of above average teams in the East with Washington and Philadelphia taking a step back. I don't think it's much of a surprise for any team to make it, aside from maybe Florida and Carolina.

In the West all the top spots are essentially spoken for (the same eight that made it last season). So really any team outside that group that makes the dance will make for quite the shock.

As of right now, Nashville, Calgary, Vancouver and Winnipeg all hold playoff spots. None of those four made the playoffs last season.

Sanjose, Miny, Colorado and Dallas are all out of a spot right now, and they all made it last year.

The same 8 are not making the playoffs this season. Teams are way to competitive in the new NHL. It will be a completely different playoff, which is awesome.

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by HighwayWest

Check, check, hopefully and entirely possible check, aaaand check.

Thank goodness you updated this from 11 days ago.

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showpos...2&postcount=70