Are the Flames Stanley Cup Contenders?

[goflamesgo18]

Jonny - mony - lindy
Tkachuk - Schenn - Bennett
Ryan - Backlund - Williams
Frolik - Jankowski -Neal
Hathaway/Czarnik

Williams could be had relatively cheap but Schenn might cost too much.

[TheScorpion]

Justin Williams? Isn't he Carolina's newly-minted captain? I doubt they deal him, especially not with their team fully out of the race.

A couple guys who I might look at are Brett Connolly from Washington and Ryan Dzingel from Ottawa. But even those guys might be long-shots.

[Itse]

If you don't think a division leading team that's top 5 in the league is a contender, your standards are too high.

Yes we're a contender. The rest is about match ups, luck, and who gets hot at the right time.

[goflamesgo18]

Originally Posted by Itse

If you don't think a division leading team that's top 5 in the league is a contender, your standards are too high.

Yes we're a contender. The rest is about match ups, luck, and who gets hot at the right time.

Top 2 in the league right now (tied)

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Justin Williams? Isn't he Carolina's newly-minted captain? I doubt they deal him, especially not with their team fully out of the race.

A couple guys who I might look at are Brett Connolly from Washington and Ryan Dzingel from Ottawa. But even those guys might be long-shots.

I've wanted Williams on the Flames for over a decade. Just really like what he brings on and off the ice. If the Canes are out, they'll probably sell anything that isn't a long term piece. Williams is expendable even though it would hurt. With the Lindholm deal earlier this year, the Flames likely know what the Canes value as I'm sure they had lengthy conversations working out all the parts of that deal.

[Tsawwassen]

Originally Posted by vicarious

To echo the thoughts of others the 89 Flames were easily the best team in the NHL and steamrolled their way to the Stanley cup. It would have been a surprise if they had not won. Every time they got a powerplay you just knew they were going to score, they were that good. Still even then, people harped on guys like Vernon and Suter and then shortly after Gilmour was run out of town for asking to be paid 1 million per season.

We're all glad that the Flames won, but, the Habs were just as good. They finished just 2 points back of the Flames in the regular season. The Flames didn't steamroll their way to the SC Finals, they were one shot away from being eliminated by the Canucks in that game 7 thriller.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Tsawwassen

We're all glad that the Flames won, but, the Habs were just as good. They finished just 2 points back of the Flames in the regular season. The Flames didn't steamroll their way to the SC Finals, they were one shot away from being eliminated by the Canucks in that game 7 thriller.

The Canucks series would have been a huge upset, but those things happen in the first round. And even though they were close in points, you just never got the feeling that the Habs were in the Flames' class, at least I didn't. They were mostly about Roy. Naslund, Richer and Smith just didn't scare me.

[Tsawwassen]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

The Canucks series would have been a huge upset, but those things happen in the first round. And even though they were close in points, you just never got the feeling that the Habs were in the Flames' class, at least I didn't. They were mostly about Roy. Naslund, Richer and Smith just didn't scare me.

All the Habs players you mention were a big reason they beat the Flames in the 86 final.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Tsawwassen

All the Habs players you mention were a big reason they beat the Flames in the 86 final.

I know. But with the 89 Flames, I just didn't sweat them. Calgary had them beat up and down the lineup (except in goal) which you couldn't say in 86.

[vicarious]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

The Canucks series would have been a huge upset, but those things happen in the first round. And even though they were close in points, you just never got the feeling that the Habs were in the Flames' class, at least I didn't. They were mostly about Roy. Naslund, Richer and Smith just didn't scare me.

Good thing we had Joel Otto kick in the game 7 OT winner and send the Canucks home for good .

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by vicarious

Good thing we had Joel Otto kick in the game 7 OT winner and send the Canucks home for good .

Like I said, that was going to be a huge upset. On par with the Oilers-Habs in 1981, or the '04 Flames v. Detroit. But once that was over, those guys were all business.

[hwy19man]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Like I said, that was going to be a huge upset. On par with the Oilers-Habs in 1981, or the '04 Flames v. Detroit. But once that was over, those guys were all business.

The 1994 Flames-Canucks and Sharks-Red Wings were two big upsets.

[Tsawwassen]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I know. But with the 89 Flames, I just didn't sweat them. Calgary had them beat up and down the lineup (except in goal) which you couldn't say in 86.

I will agree that the 89 Flames defense was much stronger than the Habs. The forwards were for the most part equal.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Tsawwassen

I will agree that the 89 Flames defense was much stronger than the Habs. The forwards were for the most part equal.

Disagree. Line up each forward from Montreal and I will cite a Flame who was better. Just look at the centres: Newy, Gilmour, Otto, Hrdina versus Smith, Carbonneau, Corson and Skrudland. The Flames had two 50 goals scorers. The Habs had two 30 goal scorers.

I just never had a doubt after the near disaster against Vancouver.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Disagree. Line up each forward from Montreal and I will cite a Flame who was better. Just look at the centres: Newy, Gilmour, Otto, Hrdina versus Smith, Carbonneau, Corson and Skrudland. The Flames had two 50 goals scorers. The Habs had two 30 goal scorers.

I just never had a doubt after the near disaster against Vancouver.

Look how many Flames on that 89 roster that did or would go on to record 50 goal seasons. Unreal. Career Highs:

Fleury (51), Loob (50), McDonald (66), Mullen (51), Newy (51), Roberts (53). Then you had Gilmour (42), Hrdina (22), Otto (27), Patterson (22) Mark Hunter (44) MacLellan (32), Peplinski (30).


http://dropyourgloves.com/Stat/Playe...&Competition=0

[Always Earned Never Given]

Originally Posted by troutman

Look how many Flames on that 89 roster that did or would go on to record 50 goal seasons. Unreal.

Fleury, Loob, McDonald, Mullen, Newy, Roberts. Then you had Gilmour, Hrdina, Mark Hunter and MacLellan.

Still only Swedish player to score 50 in a season. Amazing when you think of all the talent from Sweden who've played in the NHL. No Sundin, Forsberg, Alfredsson, Twins or other have been able to do it.

Magic man was so close in 80-81 with 49...

Wonder who will be the next?

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Always Earned Never Given

Still only Swedish player to score 50 in a season. Amazing when you think of all the talent from Sweden who've played in the NHL. No Sundin, Forsberg, Alfredsson, Twins or other have been able to do it.

Magic man was so close in 80-81 with 49...

Wonder who will be the next?

[Classic_Sniper]

After the game last night, it's hard not to believe that this team isn't a contender. But a huge aspect that makes a team a contender is special teams and this team right now has it. Since that Pittsburgh drubbing, this team has been top 10 in in both the PP and the PK.

In 26 games (Oct 27):

Powerplay: 26.2% (Ranks #6)

Penalty Kill: 84.4% (Ranks #7)

Big reason why this team has been the 2nd best team in the league since that time. Big credit has to go to the coaching staff for the work they've done since the 1st month.

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper

After the game last night, it's hard not to believe that this team isn't a contender. But a huge aspect that makes a team a contender is special teams and this team right now has it. Since that Pittsburgh drubbing, this team has been top 10 in in both the PP and the PK.

In 26 games (Oct 27):

Powerplay: 26.2% (Ranks #6)

Penalty Kill: 84.4% (Ranks #7)

Big reason why this team has been the 2nd best team in the league since that time. Big credit has to go to the coaching staff for the work they've done since the 1st month.

True.

One big change I would make is to PP #2. I would absolutely have Andersson be one the point. He has helped create a lot of offense from the point in end-of-game situations. He has a great shot. I would also put Neal in a one-timer's position, rather than Ryan patrolling the right side being quarterback. I would even consider swapping Chucky over to PP #2 to be the net front guy - tipping one timers and cleaning up rebounds. On #1, keep the same, but put Bennett

#1
Gaudreau-Lindholm-Monahan-Bennett
Gio

#2
Tkachuk-Backlund-Neal
Andersson-Brodie

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by Bunk

True.

One big change I would make is to PP #2. I would absolutely have Andersson be one the point. He has helped create a lot of offense from the point in end-of-game situations. He has a great shot. I would also put Neal in a one-timer's position, rather than Ryan patrolling the right side being quarterback. I would even consider swapping Chucky over to PP #2 to be the net front guy - tipping one timers and cleaning up rebounds. On #1, keep the same, but put Bennett

#1
Gaudreau-Lindholm-Monahan-Bennett
Gio

#2
Tkachuk-Backlund-Neal
Andersson-Brodie

You're definitely right that the PP2 unit needs to be changed. When they're out there, it looks like time being wasted. Good thing there are several options available though.

I do like the idea of using Andersson. His one timer that hit the post vs Dallas a few days ago was impressive. I'd consider moving him to the flank on his off wing to set up a one timer option. Neal's one timer could work, but I think situating him where Tkachuk is might work as well since he saw success there with Vegas. Hanifin's game along the blue line has grown leaps and bounds since the first month of the season, so I'd keep him at the point.

The other option might be to play Johnny on both powerplays. He could sit on the opposite flank and feed Andersson one timers. He helps draw defenders his way which should theoretically open that up, or if they start to defend Rasmus, then that should open up Johnny up along with whoever is situated down low.

The other option would be to just play the PP1 unit more. Washington seemingly plays their PP1 unit for the whole 2 minutes and they won the Cup. So it's not a crazy idea. I'd think about giving them 1:20-1:30 and leave the rest of the time to the second unit. Maybe some extra urgency might help that them out because it looks very pedestrian most games.