Flames coach Gulutzan: We think we could be a 100-point club

[Par]

What do you guys think, can it happen? What needs to happen for this team to be a 100 point team?

I think they will need bounce back years from most of the forwards, the D needs to live to the hype and most important of they will need good goal tending, at least .922 Save %.


http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/f...00-point-club/

[Toonage]

No reason they can't be. Win a few against the Oilers last season and they were.

[Gaudfather]

Taking four of five, on average, from each of the Oilers, Canucks, Coyotes and Golden Knights - spots the Flames 32 points right there. So 100+ is achievable.

[Vinny01]

Modest expectation that they only improve 6pts but why set expectations they are cup contenders before they even take the ice? Their goal is to be a solid playoff team and 100pts is that. You have to think the goal in the dressing room is divisional title and a deep playoff run

[Redliner]

Why not? Obviously easy to say when the team hasn't played a game yet, but on paper this is the strongest the Flames have looked in years.

Bring it on.

[Itse]

That's only a 6 point improvement on last season. Everything the same + league average goaltending could be enough for that difference.

In other words, 100 points seems like a moderate expectation and I'll honestly be a little disappointed if they don't get there. Depends somewhat on how good the rest of the division / conference is.

[djsFlames]

Johnny needs to be .90 PPG forward again or better

Monahan taking another step would be good, doesn't have to be in the way of points

Bennett needs to flirt with or hit 40 points

Ferland 20 goals would be ideal, but consistency is key

Brodie needs to be a plus +/- player, or close to it (stat can be misleading but it wasn't last season)

I'd say .917 or .918 at least from Smith would be good enough

If those pan out, I'm pretty confident in a 100 point team with home ice here.

There will be some potential freebies from Vegas thrown in there this year, so that might even be enough.

[spuzzum]

Originally Posted by Gaudfather

Taking four of five, on average, from each of the Oilers, Canucks, Coyotes and Golden Knights - spots the Flames 32 points right there. So 100+ is achievable.

5/5 Golden Knights = 10
4/5 Coyotes = 8
4/5 Canucks = 8
3/5 Oilers = 6

Even it out a bit but still 32 points!

[Resolute 14]

40% of the league was 98 points or better last year, so what Gulutzan is really saying they aspire to is to be top third in the league.

[CaptainCrunch]

If Calgary finishes with 100 points and even splits the season series with Edmonton, then Calgary likely finishes ahead of the Oilers.

Its amazing how much that slow start getting used to GG hurt this club because once they figured it out they were one of the top clubs in the NHL.

This year I don't expect the Flames to flop out of the gate.

[Harry Lime]

Everyone thinks that the Flames underperformed last year, and this is a stronger team. If we remain static in the on ice play, with no improvement at all, we only need to win the home games against the oilers to be a 100pt club.

I think that GG was downplaying what a healthy flames team can do this year.

[Macho0978]

The Flames were 13-6 with Stone in the lineup last year. I think the media and some fans are underrating the Flames right now. Giordano and Hamilton were rated (based on stats) the best defence duo in the league, slightly ahead of Subban and Ekholm. The issue the Flames had was Wideman and Brodie were the 2nd unit and had a terrible year. Brodie's play turned around significantly when Stone was in vs Wideman. I like Engelland but imo Hamonic is a much better dman.

I'm not sold that Smith is better than Elliott but I do love his ability to play the puck. But I also think Elliott is better than Elliott was in the first round. To me the sweep is why people underrate the Flames. IMO the series was way closer than the result, Elliott just stunk so bad the Flames had no chance

For me goaltending is about even and d is no question better

IMO other than Backlund not one forward had a year that was above expectations and for me Backlund is probably that good he just has never played with as good as linemates in his career.

If Bennett can bounce back and improve on his rookie year and Brouwer perform closer to expectations and Tkachuk has any growth no questions the Flames could win the division.

If Jankowski can make the leap to the NHL and prove to be a top 5 rookie this team can be good enough to win in the playoffs. IMO this team can be 4 lines deep with a top end first line and elite checking line

[dino7c]

After October they were on that pace...I think this team is better

no excuses

[Ashasx]

read the comments if you want to die

[CSharp]

100+ point this upcoming season means nothing if they can't find a way to beat the Ducks at the Honda Centre.

[CroFlames]

Just have a respectable start please. The rest will fall into place.

This will be a 100+ point club if they come out of the gate strong. No excuses this season.

[Hockey-and_stuff]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

read the comments if you want to die

I made it through about 5. Simultaneously hilarious and sad.

[djsFlames]

Anything Flames related on sportsnet prepare for blind, uneducated hate in the comments. It should be no surprise.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

read the comments if you want to die

Challenge Accepted.

Good lord people....

[jemjey]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

read the comments if you want to die