Is it possible that our prospects have been undervalued compared to others? They all seem to be contributing nicely. I'm not delusional enough to think that Baertschi is a PPG player right now in a 82 game season, but I'm starting to feel like the players we've been excited about that the rest of the league poo-poo'd are a little bet than was thought. Backs looks solid, Baertschi looks like he does have a scores touch and Horak looks like he will contribute nicely. Still need a few more studs on the team (ie Center and D), but this looks like the beginning of a decent core
Location: A simple man leading a complicated life....
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Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist
Is it possible that our prospects have been undervalued compared to others? They all seem to be contributing nicely. I'm not delusional enough to think that Baertschi is a PPG player right now in a 82 game season, but I'm starting to feel like the players we've been excited about that the rest of the league poo-poo'd are a little bet than was thought. Backs looks solid, Baertschi looks like he does have a scores touch and Horak looks like he will contribute nicely. Still need a few more studs on the team (ie Center and D), but this looks like the beginning of a decent core
Backs is playing like he wants a long term deal from the Flames. Hartley seems to be a positive motivator and seems to have inspired Backlund. The fight was something I never expected to see from Backlund. Clearly he has taken his game to another level.
I was dreading the games after we had been eliminated from the playoffs. My mind has been changed by the play of our prospects and the enthusiasm they bring to the rink every night. The energy they bring every night is something that has been missing from this team. It gives optomism for this team moving forward.
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I can't lie, and I think we've all been surprised to some extent but I'm starting to realize this team is actually a lot better without Iginla/Bo than we thought they'd be. And our rookies and youngsters are a lot closer to being NHL capable than we thought, too. The past 2 weeks just proves it.
I realize the pressure is "off" and how it can change situations, but these guys aren't playing like it is. Also, they're facing teams desperate for their playoff lives, teams banking on taking points from us, and these kids just come out and show all the character in the world by snuffing them out and frustrating them and taking those points. We're not even playing with a 'true' number 1 d-man. All I can say is if we see this team play with this kind of urgency and heart each game next season, then we have a chance again to be one of those character and 'by committee' teams that buys themselves a crack at the post season with team effort.
I really do think it's possible. The injection of 1-2 of our three 1st round picks from this year as well could only better things. The team defense the past few games has looked worlds better, too. Respectable for the first time this season. Hopefully a sign of things to come.
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I can't lie, and I think we've all been surprised to some extent but I'm starting to realize this team is actually a lot better without Iginla/Bo than we thought they'd be. And our rookies and youngsters are a lot closer to being NHL capable than we thought, too. The past 2 weeks just proves it.
Don't be fooled by teams playing "better" once all the pressure is off, a lot of fanbases have been sucked in by it.
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Johnny eats garbage and isn’t 100% committed.
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Don't be fooled by teams playing "better" once all the pressure is off, a lot of fanbases have been sucked in by it.
I agree 100%.
It will be a sobering first few months during next season unfortunately.
Maybe I'm wrong and creating a winning attitude holds value... but I just can't shake the feeling that the atmosphere at the beginning of next season will be completely different surrounding the team.
Nothing the Flames can do about a broken lottery system that rewards losing.
Don't be fooled by teams playing "better" once all the pressure is off, a lot of fanbases have been sucked in by it.
True. Pressure is a tricky thing that can bring out the best or worst out of individual players and teams. But I don't think the expectations will necessarily be sky high from the team and fanbase next season knowing our situation, so it won't have that same pressure cooker feel that has been around this team the past few years knowing they were running out of time to make things happen with the then-crop of aging vets.
Can't assume anything. I'm just thinking it's more possible than I thought it would be a few weeks ago, having seen what some of these kids are capable of showing at this level.
Don't be fooled by teams playing "better" once all the pressure is off, a lot of fanbases have been sucked in by it.
A legitimate point, I mean, there is no pressure for team success because the Flames are out of the playoff hunt.
However, at the same time there has to be a fair bit of pressure on individuals that are attempting to etch their names in the line up going forward.....especially the younger players.
Thanks Kipper! Here's to hoping for an extension in the summer or at least finish out your contract here like you want. I was hoping for the shutout, gotta be honest.
Why is Kipper retiring? the guy can still play. Ride out the cheap year next year and sign an extension, if a possible extension was on the table with the leafs then why not with us?
If he does then whada playa! Prob my fav Flame of all-time (Kip or Theo) with Regher a distance 3rd.
I hope he's not done. I thought I was ready to see them part ways and move on but tonight reminded me how easy it is to like and support the guy, and how much of the heart and soul of the team rests with #34, and there is no denying that he can still single-handedly alter the outcome of a game.
I think after the massive ovation that he received today, he may be second guessing his retirement. I'm quite torn though, our young guys have been doing fairly decent, and I would love to see the Flames develop some goalies as well, but Kipper has saved our ass so many times... such a tough call to make...
It still does prove that our prospects are NHL ready. You don't think they feel pressure in their first NHL games? They do. This team won't play like this for 82 games next season, they won't for 40, but at least we know we have NHL ready prospects to fill out a roster.
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"I think it’s safe to say that half the general managers in the National Hockey League would trade their roster for our roster right now" -Kevin Lowe, Edmonton Oilers President of Hockey Ops
I can't lie, and I think we've all been surprised to some extent but I'm starting to realize this team is actually a lot better without Iginla/Bo than we thought they'd be. And our rookies and youngsters are a lot closer to being NHL capable than we thought, too. The past 2 weeks just proves it.
I realize the pressure is "off" and how it can change situations, but these guys aren't playing like it is. Also, they're facing teams desperate for their playoff lives, teams banking on taking points from us, and these kids just come out and show all the character in the world by snuffing them out and frustrating them and taking those points. We're not even playing with a 'true' number 1 d-man. All I can say is if we see this team play with this kind of urgency and heart each game next season, then we have a chance again to be one of those character and 'by committee' teams that buys themselves a crack at the post season with team effort.
I really do think it's possible. The injection of 1-2 of our three 1st round picks from this year as well could only better things. The team defense the past few games has looked worlds better, too. Respectable for the first time this season. Hopefully a sign of things to come.
It's not just losing Iggy and Bouw, it's losing Tanguay and Glencross, those two are probably the worst when it comes to inconsistent play.
Those four in total have played the most minutes over the past two or three years and with them out, the effort level and consistency has changed greatly.
Many have been calling for a serious youth movement for years, now one has been forced on the team and the games are much more entertaining.
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Calgary Flames, PLEASE GO TO THE NET! AND SHOOT THE PUCK! GENERATING OFFENSE IS NOT DIFFICULT! SKATE HARD, SHOOT HARD, CRASH THE NET HARD!
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