Expectations for 2014-15 Season

[theoforever]

Originally Posted by Completely

Buffao improved its team, they added players that even if they aren't superstars they SHOULD get more then 52 points. Besides shouldn't we be waiting till training camp to make these claims? Or even our western neighbours who look like they are trying to do everything in their power to get into the race?

Yes, Buffalo improved the team, it's just that they were so bad before, how much did they improve. Good for 60 or better?
Me and hackey are arguing because I called Buffalo's last 1.5 years a monumental tank and he didn't like that. So, I just defended my position.

[djsFlames]

Playoffs should always be the expectation, going into any season, IMO (even if there is a universal knowledge that it's less than likely to actually happen based on the team's situation and current make up). Always set the bar high. Cause if not, then why bother competing? Going into a season with expectations of a top two pick would be entirely unprofessional. You go into the season with the goal and expectation of making the top 8, put everything you have into getting there, and if you fall short then so be it. That how a "winning mentality" is ingrained. And you do it until you're mathematically have zero chance to make it. And even after that you play for the logo on the sweater and the fans in the seats.

Even if Feaster sounded out of his mind to some, with the "playoff expectations" talk, at least he understood this and the importance it has to breeding a culture within the team.

[driveway]

^This is the way you talk to children.

When you talk to adults, who are capable of rational thought, you need to be reasonable. Anyone in management or the coaching staff trying to tell any player, or any other player trying to tell another player that the goal is the playoffs would immediately lose credibility.

A much more reasonable expectation is to make other team's lives hell. Approach the season with the mentality of 'we don't have the best roster, we aren't going to be there at the end of the year, but you are going to hate every second you spend in our building and loathe the time we spend in yours. And in a couple of years it's going to get even worse, because you're going to hate it and we're going to be better than you.'

Play for the logo? What the hell kind of dumb platitude is that? Play because it's your job. Go to work.

[Where ru Chris O'Sullivan]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Even if Feaster sounded out of his mind to some, with the "playoff expectations" talk, at least he understood this and the importance it has to breeding a culture within the team.

Feaster said a lot of things, it's what he actually did that you should focus on (lots of minor moves and big moves that luckily didn't go through).

But yes, the team's focus will be making the playoffs. If not for Berra and his time in net last year, we were likely a bubble playoff team. Were still very weak down the middle (the most key position imo) as we wait for Monahan and now Bennett to develop.

I hope we improve on our record, but won't be sad to draft top 5 again next year - 1 more time.

[djsFlames]

Yeah, play for the logo. Play for the team and the fans who come and pay to watch you each night. Not because "it's your job". You really think that's the kind of mindset they should go into games with? It's not childish, it's what it's all about. And that's what the players should be most passionate about, otherwise they shouldn't be there at all. You want players to play for the pride of the team, the city, and the fans. Much more inspiring than their "job".

Hey, if you want to raise a team of expectant losers whose sole aim is to treat each game like a bunch of goons who're there to beat up on the other team because they know they can't actually compete, then by all means. But I think you need to raise a team with the mentality of "we can win, we can make it, the odds may be largely against us, but nothing is impossible" until they actually have the talent to compete, then at that point the mentality and hunger to win will already be ingrained in that locker room, and the results will surely come much faster then.

[driveway]

And I think that's how you raise a team of children. I think your philosophy would be very successful at the high school or even collegiate level.

[Tinordi]

Expectations should be:

1. to continue to develop young players, a goal should be to graduate two players this season - hopefully Wortherspoon and one of Reinhart, Baertschi, Granlund or Gaudreau.

2. Show commitment to team play and system buy-in and accountability to teammates.

3. Get another very high pick.

[bubbsy]

the expectations in the room is to try to win every night and try to make the playoffs.

the realistic targets for this to be deemed a success otherwise, would be to continue the progressional development of the kids and ensuring they are playing on the team, position, place on depth chart that is best suited for them to grow.

I would be happy to see 2-3 kids (baertchi, gaudreau, reinhart, granlund, knight, ferland, wotherspoon) force the managements hand and keep/bring them up with the big club. I would LOVE to see baertchi take back his place as this franchise's best prospect prior to this draft.

that being said, with the forward group as it stands today, i think scoring will ultimately be an issue for this team night in and night out. I think the flames will be picking in the top5 again next year. If there were ever a year to be doing so, this is it.

[flambers]

Flames strength will be the defense but the forward`s are going to have a tough season (i.e. serious lack of offense).

I would guess Sam Bennett will be sent back for one more year in Junior.

Flames will be in a similar spot as last season, bottom 5 in the league.

[OzSome]

We will improve especially if they stay with the work ethics. We lost some wins last season because of some spotty goaltending. Ramo, with one season experience in his belt and having a veteran Jonas Hiller who can push Ramo to make sure he is playing better or vice versa will definitely help. Flames will also be tougher to play against. Are we going to be a playoff team? It is a borderline maybe.

[GGG]

I want to see Calgary continue to be in games at the end. Win or loss doesn't matter but this team shouldn't be blown out by anyone. Lots of 3-2 losses and I will be quite satisfied.

We need to be competitive in every game.

I also hope we can save the cheering for losses until at least after the trade deadline. If game one people are cursing wins and getting excited about losses its going to be a long season.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

I expect the Flames to get the highest PIMS in the league this year.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by flambers

Flames will be in a similar spot as last season, bottom 5 in the league.

Yeah, this is definitely the plan. There's definitely a good chance we end up with one of Noah Hanifin (D), Mathew Barzal (C), Jack Eichel (C), or Connor McDavid (C) - alongside another high 2nd round pick.

Between now and then though, we'll get a lot of honest, entertaining hockey - which I'm very excited for.

[Neeper]

I don't think we will be a bottom five team either. Not if they play like last year. I think our rookies are going to play well. Gaudreau is pretty damn clutch and will probably steal us a bunch of games. Our goaltending looks like it could be really solid for next year.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Neeper

I don't think we will be a bottom five team either. Not if they play like last year. I think our rookies are going to play well. Gaudreau is pretty damn clutch and will probably steal us a bunch of games. Our goaltending looks like it could be really solid for next year.

1. Anaheim - got better
2. Colorado - Mackinnon emergence/Iggy/Stuart should make them just as good
3. St. Louis - got better
4. San Jose - likely to be a bit worse
5. Chicago - got better
6. LA - hard to argue they won't be at the top
7. Minnesota - hard to argue they won't be very good again
8. Dallas - got better
9. Arizona - well coached team, likely won't be worse
10. Nashville - shouldn't be any worse
11. Winnipeg - this team will suck
12. Vancouver - should be slightly better as last year was a disaster thanks to the coach
13. Calgary - lost goal scoring, added grit
14. Edmonton - added good depth, will improve


Last place in the West will be between Winnipeg, Calgary and Arizona. The west is really, really good so we'll have a hard time with all of our in-conference games.

[theoforever]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

...
14. Edmonton - added good depth, will improve


Last place in the West will be between Winnipeg, Calgary and Arizona. The west is really, really good so we'll have a hard time with all of our in-conference games.

I know Oil improved but every year hopes are high in the summer.
If they fail again I will be rolling on the ground.

[Erick Estrada]

Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver will finish in the 12 - 15 spots with the only question being the order.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by theoforever

I know Oil improved but every year hopes are high in the summer.
If they fail again I will be rolling on the ground.

Yep same thing every summer. The deck chairs are shuffled, fans and media get excited, but at the end of the day the team still stinks. Guys the issue with the Oilers isn't the support players it's the core players and coaching. Perron had a fantastic season last year and the team was worse so improving the supporting cast is irrelevant. That didn't change so I fail to see where they will make substantial improvement. This could be the year the core players finally buy into a coach but it hasn't happened yet and we shouldn't give them the benefit of the doubt until it actually happens.

[_Q_]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver will finish in the 12 - 15 spots with the only question being the order.

I think you can add Winnipeg to that list

[driveway]

Originally Posted by OzSome

. Are we going to be a playoff team? It is a borderline maybe.

No. It's a no. We are not a playoff team. We would not be a playoff team in the East. We worked harder than any team in the league last year and finished 27th. Most of the teams in our conference improved. Most of the teams in our division improved. We added a goalie and maybe, maybe an undersized rookie.

We lost our #1 goal-scorer and did not replace those goals. We added some toughness and some speed, that does not add up to coming anywhere near the playoffs next year.

We will, hopefully, play the same kind of hard-working, never-give-up, entertaining hockey this year as we did last year and we will see similar results.

We're going to finish with something like 70 points, I'd give us a margin of 8 points around that, depending on luck. Which puts us, at best, 25th in the league, and at worst, 30th. That is where this season is headed, and anyone with 'maybe, maybe we're a bubble playoff team' in their head is deluded.