Are the Flames actually a playoff team?

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Goriders

I can’t see them not making it taking that into account not to mention their goaltending.

The games get significantly harder after the All-Star break, so I'm not as confident as you. I will be more confident if they figure out an upgrade at centre.

[Mightyfire89]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

The games get significantly harder after the All-Star break, so I'm not as confident as you. I will be more confident if they figure out an upgrade at centre.

Agreed. What year was that the Flames went 13-2-2-2 or something to start the season? 2000? 2001? And then proceeded to miss the playoffs. Sometimes teams that are not great go on a heater. I love the way this team has played thus far but I’m not convinced of anything just yet.

[dino7c]

of course its impossible to say now but who are the Flames scared of exactly? The have been badly outplayed in 2 of 20 games...big deal who hasn't been?

League is pretty average these days, even top teams have major issues

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

That second game in VAN they were outplayed too.

But yeah, when they show up with all hands on deck, no one has outclassed them, including any of the top teams they've faced.

[FanSince'01]

Originally Posted by Mightyfire89

Agreed. What year was that the Flames went 13-2-2-2 or something to start the season? 2000? 2001? And then proceeded to miss the playoffs. Sometimes teams that are not great go on a heater. I love the way this team has played thus far but I’m not convinced of anything just yet.

2001, my first year watching hockey and I distinctly remember that blazing start carried by the Iggy-Connie-McCammond line and Turek having a hot start before he turned back into a pumpkin.

The difference with that team though is they were truly a one line team with little to nothing else going for them. This team, so far at least, has the defensive structure and goaltending and gets contributions throughout the lineup. I’d bet that it’s far more likely for the success of this team to continue than it was for the 01 Flames.

Not saying that we will keep this up all season but IMO this team is better positioned to do so than some other teams that have had hot starts to the year and then faceplant shortly after.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by FanSince'01

2001, my first year watching hockey and I distinctly remember that blazing start carried by the Iggy-Connie-McCammond line and Turek having a hot start before he turned back into a pumpkin.

Which happened right after Turek signed his big-money (for the time) extension. People who followed the team closely all agreed: he was spooked by his own money. He thought he had to up his game to be worth the new contract, but instead he messed up his game. The changes made him worse, not better. The Iginla line kept right on scoring, but they didn't have goaltending anymore and the team cratered.

[dino7c]

2001 was a non cap era and the Flames were a small market team. The Avs and other top teams of those days didn't just sit back with terrible goaltending or depth because they had no choice. League is more mid

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

That second game in VAN they were outplayed too.

But yeah, when they show up with all hands on deck, no one has outclassed them, including any of the top teams they've faced.

True but I think the travel schedule had as much to do with that one as anything and the Flames have already beat them when it was straight up

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

Which happened right after Turek signed his big-money (for the time) extension. People who followed the team closely all agreed: he was spooked by his own money. He thought he had to up his game to be worth the new contract, but instead he messed up his game. The changes made him worse, not better. The Iginla line kept right on scoring, but they didn't have goaltending anymore and the team cratered.

The whole Savard fiasco didn't help. He was on the top line, than got injured so Conroy moved to thst role and Iginla's game took off. Then he asked for a trade and things completely unraveled. Greg Gilbert didn't help either just an awful coach.

[FanSince'01]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

Which happened right after Turek signed his big-money (for the time) extension. People who followed the team closely all agreed: he was spooked by his own money. He thought he had to up his game to be worth the new contract, but instead he messed up his game. The changes made him worse, not better. The Iginla line kept right on scoring, but they didn't have goaltending anymore and the team cratered.

Man, I had totally forgotten over the years about his big money extension happening less than 2 months into that seasons and that that was the trigger point for his decline. I picked a great time to learn what it was like to be a Flames fan

[dino7c]

as much as 2001 was smoke and mirrors it did foreshadow 2004. Iggy with solid goaltending=a chance

[paley01]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

The games get significantly harder after the All-Star break, so I'm not as confident as you. I will be more confident if they figure out an upgrade at centre.

But if the games get significantly harder after the All-Star break, shouldn't they alsoget significantly harder for the teams that are competing with the Flames in the standings for a playoff spot? This doesn't make sense to me.

I agree with your point about needing an upgrade at center, and am not confident about making the playoffs. But surely "games are harder after the break" only matters for the Flames' success if the games are unusually harder for the Flames than they are for other teams. And why would we think that would be the case?

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by FanSince'01

2001, my first year watching hockey and I distinctly remember that blazing start carried by the Iggy-Connie-McCammond line and Turek having a hot start before he turned back into a pumpkin.

The difference with that team though is they were truly a one line team with little to nothing else going for them. This team, so far at least, has the defensive structure and goaltending and gets contributions throughout the lineup. I’d bet that it’s far more likely for the success of this team to continue than it was for the 01 Flames.

Not saying that we will keep this up all season but IMO this team is better positioned to do so than some other teams that have had hot starts to the year and then faceplant shortly after.

While I agree hat they gave defensive structure and goaltending, and they mat take them to the playoffs, they have contributions throughout the lineup?

Their 3 best forwards are on pace for about 40 points. I’d take the 1 line team led by Iggy than the current no line team, offensively talking.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally Posted by Mightyfire89

Agreed. What year was that the Flames went 13-2-2-2 or something to start the season? 2000? 2001? And then proceeded to miss the playoffs. Sometimes teams that are not great go on a heater. I love the way this team has played thus far but I’m not convinced of anything just yet.

I remember that like it was yesterday.

I wore my jersey to class one day and a buddy of mine said "you know they're missing the playoffs right?!"

I replied "Yep, why I have to enjoy this now!"

Little did I know a Stanley Cup Finals appearance was just around the corner.

You know, they say history repeats itself....

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by paley01

But if the games get significantly harder after the All-Star break, shouldn't they alsoget significantly harder for the teams that are competing with the Flames in the standings for a playoff spot? This doesn't make sense to me.

I agree with your point about needing an upgrade at center, and am not confident about making the playoffs. But surely "games are harder after the break" only matters for the Flames' success if the games are unusually harder for the Flames than they are for other teams. And why would we think that would be the case?

I think it will be harder for the Flames to sustain this run because they are doing it on the back of goaltending and hard work. The effort level they are playing with will be hard to sustain the entire season and if that slips they won’t be able to consistently outscore their opponents.
I feel like people wanting to add to this team is the same as people who wanted to sign Kuzmenko in the off-season to a long term contract. I hope the Flames have some patience and see how things play out.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Bonded

I feel like people wanting to add to this team is the same as people who wanted to sign Kuzmenko in the off-season to a long term contract. I hope the Flames have some patience and see how things play out.

I really doubt that Conroy will make any "win now" moves. Any move will need to be for future seasons as well.

[bluejays]

I was reading an article by everyone's favourite journalist, Eric Francis:
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article...ises-concerns/

I've never minded Francis, and I largely agree with the article (D rating the top forwards may be a little much but noted). I don't think this is a playoff team given the even goal differential. Nor do I think they should add. The team knows what mode they're in, and to add vets just lands us in the same spot. There should be clear expectations that this is a rebuild with long term boxes that need to be checked off, like getting grade A prospects. Until that happens, adding to go for it is a short term idea, with long term implications.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

I really doubt that Conroy will make any "win now" moves. Any move will need to be for future seasons as well.

Even those trades are dangerous. Hamilton was great and Hamonic was terrible.

[BagoPucks]

I think they are playing like a playoff team. Ultimately, that is what matters and we just have to keep the momentum going. We get too caught up in the pieces that need to be in place but in reality, everyone is an unproven commodity till they do it.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by bluejays

I was reading an article by everyone's favourite journalist, Eric Francis:
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article...ises-concerns/

I've never minded Francis, and I largely agree with the article (D rating the top forwards may be a little much but noted). I don't think this is a playoff team given the even goal differential. Nor do I think they should add. The team knows what mode they're in, and to add vets just lands us in the same spot. There should be clear expectations that this is a rebuild with long term boxes that need to be checked off, like getting grade A prospects. Until that happens, adding to go for it is a short term idea, with long term implications.

He actually has a pretty fair read. Hard to argue against D for the top 6 forwards when their leading forward is 134th amongst NHL forwards