How disappointing is it if this team doesn't make the playoffs?

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by browna

Playoff forwards? Yes, Gelinas was clutch with GWGs, and Conroy was a warrior and machine in the playoffs (and the Kings opened the vault for him) but those guys were above average regular season players, but not stars, so Sutter made the tough call to let them go, and find their replacements/upgrades....look at the Oilers started their descent into cap hell by giving their similar group of surprising playoff performers long term, big money deals (Horcoff, Moreau, Pisini etc).

The Flames finished 2005-06 with 103 points and won the division...the roster was much better then the '03 - '04 team on paper (Hamrlik, Phaneuf with 20 goals, Huselius, Langkow)....but didn't get out of the first round.

The Flames next year will attract some more UFA attention this year then the previous GM era, given the heart and excitement they showed this year.

Some decent moves to get bigger and upgrade talent should have this team looking much better on paper come September, and like Phaneuf, have a rookie on the roster who will make an impact.

Does all those upgrades mean they win more next year, and playoffs are a given, if they miss out by 1 or 2 points this year? Am sure COL thought so by adding Jarome and Tanguay this year, to a roster from last year that surprised everyone.
Lets hope the Flames carry that through next year, but that can't be counted on....just like the thought going into the 05-06 season that the team was easily going to on another long playoff run.

That's why just getting to the playoffs this year, after all they've gone through to this point, would make this a fantastic season, and not getting there, would almost be a half stunning step back.

How on earth could this season be a step back?

[Badgers Nose]

Folks that are disappointed are not hockey people. Everything about this season was positive. They have developed faster than anyone expected. All the 'experts' had them bottom five.

Missing the playoffs will be a little bummer. But there is so much to look forward to as the Flames continue building a contender.

[SportsJunky]

I would have liked the kids to get a taste of post season play after coming this close. I don't see it happening this year although there is still hope. I'll be disappointed that the team worked so hard to get there and then just miss. I'm proud of these guys either way.

[IgiTang]

The Flames were projected for a bottom 5 finish at the beginning of the season and we all figured that would be accurate. Some hoped they would be better but most were trying to remain grounded with their expectations knowing we were in for the long haul, and we were OK with that.

There is no way they took a step back, in fact they took leaps and bounds forward and perhaps skipped a couple years of the rebuild.

[crapshoot]

I'm thinking that missing the playoffs now when they are so close they can almost taste it might actually be a good thing, as it inevitably leads to the team returning next year with a giant chip on it's shoulder.

I still hope and believe they might actually pull it off this year though. Considering the standings right now, the rest of the season would be about equivalent to a third period comeback. Maybe even one more loss before roaring back, knocking off Winnipeg in the last game of the regular season.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Also not a fair comparison because the NHL drastically changed in 05/06 compared to 03/04, end of the clutch and grab era.

Watching the Kings I'd say the clutch & grab era is alive and well

[Vinny01]

There are similarities with this group and the young Blackhawks team. In 08 the Hawks were extremely close to a playoff spot being lead by rookies Toews and Kane and they HF other young players taking a big step forward.

They would follow up the next year finishing 4th in the west and would beat the Flames and Nucks but lose to the Wings in the WCF. They follow up that year with a Cup.

I am not saying that is how it will go for the Flames but the team is positioned so well going into the summer. The cap space, the tradeable assets and another elite prospect joining the big club next year.

Knowing what we know about Monahan I don't see why he won't continue to progress next year. Looking at Johnny he took big steps every year since we drafted him so no reason to think he slows down either.

I'd the flames miss this year they add another prospect in the top 14 of the draft, and build for next year. I don't think this team takes a step back only forward next year

[2macinnis2]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Watching the Kings I'd say the clutch & grab era is alive and well

Truth. 50 years from now hopefully they will be looking at the past 2 decades of no offense as the 'gigantic goalie, tiny net' era.

Clutch and grab is a fallacy.

[DuffMan]

I'd be disappointed if they don't make it, but very excited about the future. The young guys now know what it's like to be this close to the playoffs. They now have experience of playing games that matter, alot.
Look at the sorry mental state of teams like the Oilers and Leafs, where it is now an ingrained culture of losing. So glad that hasn't creapt into the psyche of the young guys on the team.

[AcGold]

Originally Posted by 2macinnis2

Truth. 50 years from now hopefully they will be looking at the past 2 decades of no offense as the 'gigantic goalie, tiny net' era.

Clutch and grab is a fallacy.

Are you kidding me, the Kings interfere constantly and get away with dozens of penalizable plays every game. The best being the arm in front of the body when losing a foot race.

[jlh2640]

I've said it all along. I don't think they will make it. Especially without their best player. However what a great year they had. Maybe they will continue to surprise me. I will never be dissapointed with this season no matter the results. We are still years away from being an elite team. So let's keep building this team for the future

[Burke Salad]

Oops wrong thread - sorry.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

Folks that are disappointed are not hockey people. Everything about this season was positive. They have developed faster than anyone expected. All the 'experts' had them bottom five.

Missing the playoffs will be a little bummer. But there is so much to look forward to as the Flames continue building a contender.

If you don't experience some form of disappointment if they don't make the playoffs, check for a pulse my friend.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by jlh2640

I've said it all along. I don't think they will make it. Especially without their best player. However what a great year they had. Maybe they will continue to surprise me. I will never be dissapointed with this season no matter the results. We are still years away from being an elite team. So let's keep building this team for the future

You're just setting the bar low so that if you fall, the fall won't be as far.

Climb up the ladder with us my friend. Don't worry, there's plenty of bodies to fall on if we tumble so it won't hurt as much on the way down.

[FlamesAddiction]

We have been in a playoff position all season, so I will be pretty disappointed. At the start of the season though, it wasn't even on my radar.

If we miss, I look forward to next season more than I have in several years. I also hope that no matter what, the fans give this team a huge send off after the last home game of the season.

[puckedoff]

I still think they make it.... but just in case:

[Hatter]

I'll be totally heartbroken, but there is no way to be disappointed in this season.

We have a bonafide top line, two incredible defense pairings, a good coach, and help still incoming from the CHL and AHL. Pretty good place to be in for a rebuilding club.

Bright days as a Flames fan, playoffs or not!

[Gaudfather]

Originally Posted by puckedoff

I still think they make it.... but just in case:

Sorry - but that just crossed a line.

[jar_e]

I think there should be disappointment anytime your team doesn't make it to the playoffs, regardless of expectations. Obviously there's bright times ahead in this organization but to see this team be in a playoff position for 75% (?) of the season and not get it would be a disappointment.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Gaudfather

Sorry - but that just crossed a line.

That certainly was cringe-worthy.