Are the Flames BETTER than they were in 2021-22?

[chummer]

Such a fun offseason, and we're better.

[getoverit]

Think we’re different. Not necessarily better but better fit for a Sutter type team and go deeper. Colorado is still in a class of its own but would luv to see a conference final. Colorado doesn’t always stay healthy so there is the caveat anything can happen

[ben voyonsdonc]

We have three Selke caliber centres for our top three lines. I think that is going to be huge.

[djsFlames]

Now that I've processed yesterdays moves I am incredibly excited about the upcoming season. Just so many question marks and intrigue, I think it will be the most fascinating campaign in a number of years.

We snagged effing Kadri! Hell yeah.

That center depth is just... beautiful.

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by USflamesfan

Gaudreau Will never lead a team deep into the playoffs. IMO he will drop off early 30s. Other teams know how to play him in playoffs. Tchakuk is kinda narcissitic, he thinks he is more than he is. He cannot drive a team without an elite passer with him. In Florida, I think he will diminish because the elite passer is now playing with the Flames. Kadri is an intense competitor and will be used against MCDavid. Sutter won his Stanley Cups with being deep at center. He always has said that. The Flames now have 3 elite 2 way centers and so I think they are much better as a team and built for playoffs. Last year, shut down the top line and the Flames were very limited.

I think this is exactly what got into Tkachuk. In his first 3 seasons, he was really good, a pest with massive skills. He'll start a scrum, stir poo, drive opponents batty and try to get to him by taking stupid penalties and he'll just skate away with poo eating smirk on his face. I absolutely loved it. Then, somehow that success got in his head. He'll still stir poo but instead of skating away, he got into it, fight anyone who has the gall to challenge him. Then, what really got into his head is that he thinks he is elite and no one dare to disrespect him, like that LA guy Muzzin flipped a puck at him at the end of the game. It's really a nothing thing, but he got upset because his teammate didn't back him up. Then, this past playoff, why in the world he needs to fight Klingberg? I think Stars coaches knows how to get under his skin. And he broke his hand because of it. Yes, he is very talented and has a lot of skills, but unless he grow up, he won't have much success.

[butterfly]

Originally Posted by cral12

https://twitter.com/user/status/1560767821172199425

Would be hilarious if after an offseason with this much tumult, they ended up with the exact same number of points as last year.

[flamesgod]

Originally Posted by butterfly

Would be hilarious if after an offseason with this much tumult, they ended up with the exact same number of points as last year.

I think they'll get more. They're going to be very hard to score against this year.

[djsFlames]

The defence should should head and shoulders above every other team in the pacific. Like men vs boys when it comes to prevent hockey.

The only caveat being Markstrom's struggles against our rivals.

I'd bet on them being eastern conference killers again.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Itse

Better, worse, who knows. This offseason might look fantastic or it might look terrible in a few years, who knows.

But the team is different now, and at least the offseason hasn't been boring.

I think we really needed different here after seeing the same bag of tricks from the core players here for many years.

They just didn't have it in them, and betting on them by giving them a great supporting cast always ended up being all for naught, and thus a waste of annual assets.

It is different but I prefer spinning the wheel on the chance of finding a better playoff core than going back to the same old well again.

These changes are refreshing, even though how we got here was somewhat traumatic for the fans.

[EVERLAST]

All there is left to do now is for the Flames to prove their believers right and the doubters wrong.

I wouldn't bet allot on the Flames going deep in the playoffs and they have to make the playoffs first obviously.

We've got winners on the team, coaching the team and hopefully it translates into more than just division titles, conference championships and individual accomplishments....and boy I hope we have gotten rid of that problem for good.

These mega point superstars that can't lead, can't win make me nuts.
What makes me nuttier is listening to excuses year after year after year and this upcoming season will be no different .

I just hope for every guy on the team that was disappointed in last years bowing out to the stink and filth of Edmonton and the dirty cheaters in Tampa that beat the cats that these guys go into the season with a big chip on their shoulders .

I'm ready for a great season sure.....but let's make damn sure when playoffs roll around we aren't letting a rookie goalie into our heads and all world nothings that's won nothing at this level into our hearts and minds either.

Take a bow Brad. You did a damn fine job man. Now the roster you assembled needs to get serious.

[cral12]

Without any doubt.

*Is there a team with 3 better two-way centres?
*I put their 6 dmen up against any in the NHL - I daresay the best 6 in the league.
*Marky obviously Vezina calibre (he has to recover from horrid Oil series look)
*High quality on the wing in Huby, Eat Bread, Teapot (hopefully regains form we saw 1st when he came over), Coleman. Dube & Pelletier X-factors, esp. if we do not add more.

- Avs are still the class of the NHL, but are weaker with the loss of Kadri and now relying on Georgiev and Francouz in goal.
- Treliving fleecing of Panthers make them a weaker squad overall
- Bolts another year on the chassis, loss of Palat
- Leafs gonna leaf; Oilers gonna Oil
- Canes remain strong.
- I like what Wild have done.
- Blues top 10ish.
- Kings will be interesting - do they fall back a bit or continue to climb?

All that to say, this is easily a top 5 team in the NHL.

Would we like to see another top 6 winger - sure.
- I have been always on the Evan Rodrigues train - right shooting versatile C/RW who can play on either of top 3 lines most likely, but recently really on the Kessel train. E-Rod likely holding out for multi-yr deal to cash in on last season success. Kessel on a palatable/cap-fit-in-able 1 yr deal has me super intrigued, as it does others. I actually really think Sutter would be great for his game. Kessel on either of top 2 lines, but esp on Huby opposite wing with Lindy centering them seems like pure gold waiting to happen.

LFG!

[ForeverFlameFan]

I put unchanged for now until I see how this group does. On paper is looks better but we have to see if Mangiapane or Toffoli can fill the void as 1st RW.

[Roof-Daddy]

Voted I think they are better, because on paper they are IMO

We'll see if it translates to the ice

[UKflames]

I think they are better but a lot of that is because the changes that have been made have rearranged the chairs in such a way that players are sliding into the holes that they can be most effective.
Huberdeau for Gaudreau is a wash, in the sense of LW for LW, but adding Kadri, which I wasn't a fan of but it's happened so get on with it, gives us a bonafide #2C, putting Backlund in the #3C spot. This in turn allows us to put wingers with the right C, offense with kadri, shutdown/learning with Backlund, and a 4th line that just runs over you and grinds you down. The wingers across the top three lines are going to be very interchangeable imo. I expect to see Sutter trying all sorts of combinations to see what fits.


I don't expect the regular season record to be any better, great if it is, but i feel the playoff make up of the team is better.

[Hockey_Ninja]

We gotta see how they play when they hit the ice. But I’m definitely excited to see how it all unfolds

[Erick Estrada]

I voted unchanged. Hard to say they are better given the regular season they just had and the dismantling of one of the best 1st lines in recent NHL history. I doubt they are a better regular season team but I think they are better built for the playoffs so as for now a wash.

[Macman]

I like the intangibles both Kadri and Huberdeau have and bring, they want to win and it’s in them and not just saying it. Kadri is especially fiery, I’ve always like him even when he was with the Leafs.

[dino7c]

Flames had a pretty fortunate covid schedule and zero injuries last season...they could get less points and still be a better team especially when it counts.

[CaptainCrunch]

On paper a deeper bigger team that's snarly.

They seem to be strong at all positions, maybe they could use one more middle three offensive winger.

It all comes down to chemisty, but I trust Sutter will bring this team together.

Right now I like the idea of NK and JH going into the playoffs then Johnny and MT.

[ricardodw]

Career years for Lindholm, Kadri and Huberdeau (replacing career years for Gaudreau and Tkachuk), Mangiapane

Zaradov, Hanifin, Andersson, Kylington, Tanev

along with 1 game missing (Coleman) from the top-6 forwards and 10 games missing from the top-4 d-men 1 from Hanifin and 9 from Kylington

9 players coming off career years and no significant injuries makes it hard to get back to 111 pts like last year.

If Tanev would have missed 20 regular season games how would that have impacted the Flames record in the standings?

As for the playoffs Kadri could be a difference, although as the Avs 4th best forward and 6 to 8th best player in the playoffs it might be a harder role for him with the Flames.

Weegar and Huberdeau have similar incomplete grades in the playoffs as Gaudreau and Tkachuk

I didn't vote in the poll as I am unsure how the whole team comes together.