[GDT] Flames vs Coyotes 7pm Mountain

[belsarius]

Originally Posted by DJones

Looks like we just pulled a legit 2nd line out of thin air.

Seems like a reason for optimism for me.

I like to think we pulled it out of solid player development, shrewd work by the GM in the free agent market, and finishing poorly allowing a guy to drop into our lap (well twice really)

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Jesus, ok guys. I'm an idiot for not picking the Flames to win the cup. I get it.

I just don't see a meteoric rise this year. Some key holes have been filled, but there's still plenty of holes on the roster. They'll probably be a playoff bubble team, or in one of the wildcard spots at most.

Lol you're so dramatic.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

By no means am I suggesting we're cup contenders, but the suggestion we should be worried about the entire season based on anything we've seen in the pre-season is extremely suspect.

I'm actually basing it almost entirely on last season.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Hey man, I'm just trying to set realistic expectations after finishing 5th from the bottom last year. This team still has a LOT to prove.

But go ahead, do the blind optimism thing. Just don't get too upset if they don't live up to the hype in your head.

But offense wasn't an issue last season. Goaltending and defense was our downfall, and the goaltending was vastly improved. Brouwer and Tkachuk alone have been cause for optimism this pre-season.

[Two Fivenagame]

AC's PBP is better than anything on Sportsnet....

How many more years are hockey fans handcuffed to that possum fart of an organization?

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

I'm actually basing it almost entirely on last season.

Noted.

Different coach, different team, new and vastly improved goaltending.

I expect better than last year.

[thymebalm]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Hey man, I'm just trying to set realistic expectations after finishing 5th from the bottom last year. This team still has a LOT to prove.

But go ahead, do the blind optimism thing. Just don't get too upset if they don't live up to the hype in your head.

I don't agree with your assessment of where the Flames are at. They don't need to score 5 goals a game. They need to learn their systems and get familiar with the new coach and the new goalie etc. That seems to be working as far as I can tell. Special teams still need work but they aren't icing sure fire finishers so it's hard to really tell on the PP.

Full team hasn't played together once yet. Lots of PTOs and rookies still at camp.

Flames made big changes in the off-season for the better and their best players are just entering their prime.

They don't need to win these games.. that's not even really the point of them.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by nik-

Lol you're so dramatic.

[Soliak]

MOD EDIT: Please treat other posters with some respect.

[N-E-B]

I really like the Tkachuk-Bennett-Brouwer line. I think Tkachuk sticks this year.

It's also nice watching a game and not fearing every shot could go in. Elliott looks so calm and collected in the net.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Jesus, ok guys. I'm an idiot for not picking the Flames to win the cup. I get it.

I just don't see a meteoric rise this year. Some key holes have been filled, but there's still plenty of holes on the roster.

I see it. About the only thing they can do to screw it up is sign Grossmann or Korpikoski instead of Kulak or Russell - or give Bollig or Vey a spot over Hathaway or Hamilton. Obviously we need to swing a deadline deal for a RW like Jagr once that player's team is out of the playoff race but with Tkachuk/Bennett we have a third line that can moonlight as a second scoring line, we have Elliott/Johnson who are going to steal us many games, and Gulutzan's systems are winning me over (player usage has been a bit suspect but eh, preseason), they remind me of how the Kings play. With Backlund we have one of the best pure possession driving centers not named Bergeron in the league. And with Gaudreau / Giordano / Brodie / Hamilton / Monahan / Wideman we have a strong chance to score when we need to.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Jesus, ok guys. I'm an idiot for not picking the Flames to win the cup. I get it.

I just don't see a meteoric rise this year. Some key holes have been filled, but there's still plenty of holes on the roster. They'll probably be a playoff bubble team, or in one of the wildcard spots at most.

I can't speak for others, Cali, but I was engaging in what I thought was light hearted Flames discussion with you. Wasn't meaning to be part of a dogpile or call you an idiot or anything.

Apologies of it came across that way.

[Finger Cookin]

So much drama over a pretty innocent comment. We need the regular season to start. And we need the regular season roster in place.

[skudr248]

We're winning the ####ing cup this year boys!

[Galakanokis]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Jesus, ok guys. I'm an idiot for not picking the Flames to win the cup. I get it.

I just don't see a meteoric rise this year. Some key holes have been filled, but there's still plenty of holes on the roster. They'll probably be a playoff bubble team, or in one of the wildcard spots at most.

A giant meteor sized hole has been filled. One that single handily sucked the life out of this team. The goaltending alone has to have everyone excited about this season. He'll, I would have been happy to have last year's team with this year's goaltending. And who knows, maybe actually playing a proper puck possession system that includes even an iota of defense will be an improvement.

I'm not thinking we are cup contenders by any means but we should be fighting for a playoff spot, no doubt in my mind. With what appears to be a solid second line, improved goaltending, defense and coaching why not be optimistic.

[1qqaaz]

Originally Posted by skudr248

We're winning the ####ing cup this year boys!

Why not? Go for the cup!

But yeah, I agree with GranteedEV. The Flames just have to make smart decisions. The team has potential.

[jg13]

Heading down to 9th ave right now to set up my chair for the parade.

[Gaskal]

Leaks plugged:

Need better goalies.

@DarrenWHaynes

SV% in 2015-16 from Nov. 1 on:
1. Brian Elliott, .933
2. Ben Bishop. 929
3. Chad Johnson, 928
4. Thomas Greiss, .925
5. Cory Schneider, .924

Some power wingers would be nice.

The Flames had a need and a very specific need. They were looking for a player capable of being a top-six right winger and ideally, for once, wanted it to come in the form of someone playing his natural wing.

Statistically, the 6-foot-3 native of Vancouver consistently scores in and around 20 goals every season -- 17 in 2010-11 is his lowest output going back to 2009. If you're my age and grew up watching hockey in the 80s, that may not sound like a lot but in today's NHL, 20 goals is the old 30.

Over the last seven seasons, only 16 right wingers have scored more times than Brouwer with 140.

That said, you're overlooking at least half of his resume if you're judging him on his point totals alone.

Brouwer brings leadership and experience in spades. He plays both special teams. He admitted he's also not shy about speaking up when something needs to be said in the dressing room. Plus, he has 98 games of playoff experience that includes winning the Stanley Cup with Chicago in 2010.

Plays with an edge, has some bite, plays nasty, these are the terms you hear with Tkachuk and are the ingredients the Flames have been desperately seeking for a very long time. Sure enough, it comes to them in the form of a top-six winger that can also score. Talk about a double dip.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Jesus, ok guys. I'm an idiot for not picking the Flames to win the cup. I get it.

I just don't see a meteoric rise this year. Some key holes have been filled, but there's still plenty of holes on the roster. They'll probably be a playoff bubble team, or in one of the wildcard spots at most.

I get your tempering of expectations and appreciate why, you don't want to set yourself up for disappointment.

But I cannot believe that Elliott and Johnson are going to be bottom half of the league goalies. That was the achilles heel of the Flames last season and thats enough for me to put them in early contender mention.

On top of that, the D corps is relatively unchanged but deeper, Hudler's off year will be easily replaced by Brouwer, then you have Bennett looking poised to add another problem for teams to seriously worry about.

There's very logical and sound evidence to allow people to be very optimistic about the upcoming season. The cons (New system/coaches, bottom 6 fw depth) are really outweighed by the pros (great top 6 depth, solid D corps, incredible upgrade in goaltending)

[thymebalm]

Originally Posted by jg13

Heading down to 9th ave right now to set up my chair for the parade.

Just lock it up now and you'll have prime seats for any parade that passes your way.