Give me hope for next year

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Moneyhands23

I really like him, but I see him starting next season in the Ahl.

Maybe — but he was truly fantastic in his stint this year.

I could certainly see a future where he doesn't go back. The Flames really need him to be their Nick Suzuki-type guy.

[Dion]

Andrew Mangipane pots 30 goals next year.

[EVERLAST]

I love this team weirdly. Watched em lose in 1986. Watched em win it all in 1989. Watched them win but get screwed in 04 .

Still can't figure out WTF happened to this team in the last decade but still find myself cheering and posting here.

There has to be something better to do right?

I think there is hope. The players where that hope inspires is .....
Valimaki
Mackey
Dube
Mangiapane
Lindholm
MARKSTROM
Tkachuk
Tanev
Raz
Sutter can start with these players and with proper asset management and new players brought in who knows what can happen if these guys want to win and not just show up for their paycheck without doing the work.

See ya next year Flames .

[Tbull8]

Jack. Eichel.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Jordan!

Flames fan in seattle who is following the Panthers.. makes alot of sense

What’s wrong with the Panthers? Lots of people are hopping on that bandwagon. They’re fun to watch.

Is this some kind of dog vs cat jealousy?

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by Dion

Andrew Mangipane pots 30 goals next year.

It will be extremely interesting to see what he gets paid on his next deal. So wish he had be signed long term

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Can't be worse.
I'm excited about the off-season to see what happens. I expect at least one big trade with a core player gone, a more exciting draft and other neat stuff!

(I'm not particularly excited about Sutter to be honest)

Thats actually going to be the interesting part about next season.

Watching new and unique ways they'll find to make next season even more disappointing than this one.

[dissentowner]

I just don't see any changes to the core besides Gio going to Seattle possibly. Monahan has his lowest value and is hurt. Gaudreau has started to flourish under Sutter and I believe he will stay for the long haul. Lindholm isn't going anywhere. Tkachuk is born to play Sutter hockey, he will rebound nicely. I would love to dump Backlund as I don't think he is worth his salary and is way too streaky but I don't see any takers. I think the core returns.

[Poe969]

I want there to be hope but there isn't any. Treliving will do whatever it takes to make this team good next year...spoiler, it won't work. We'll, I guess they'll be better than this year but still not good enough. Then they'll be bad again. Rinse. Repeat.

I would have more hope for this team and actually be interested and enjoy them more if they did a scorched earth rebuild. We already know this team isn't good enough, give us players that could turn into a better team.

[The Hendog]

Flames should be more likely to make the playoffs in a weak Pacific division next year = positive

Flames will be bounced in the first round of the playoffs as they are average at best and once again draft in the middle of the pack = negative

Flames being mediocre meh continues

[Dion]

Sutter has cut the goals against down and has the team playing better defensively.

We need to find some offence and more importantly a top 6 right winger. It may not come from a free agent signing, so i'm hoping that Monahan and Tkachuk can get their game back on track.

Maybe we'll get a surprise from a farm hand like Ruzicka or Phillips. Zary probably needs time in Stockton to hone his game and improve his skating.

My only concern is Sutter having some imput in the draft or trades.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by The Hendog

Flames should be more likely to make the playoffs in a weak Pacific division next year = positive

Flames will be bounced in the first round of the playoffs as they are average at best and once again draft in the middle of the pack = negative

Flames being mediocre meh continues

So....same old, same old.

[McG]

We can’t even lose right so I don’t know what to offer!

[The Hendog]

Originally Posted by Locke

So....same old, same old.

Yup!

Unless they become some sort of defensive juggernaut.

Right coach for it but not sure it is enough in the current NHL.

[Madrox]

The last 14 games, we’ve been 9 and 5. Over an 82 game season, that’s a 105 point pace, and I have to assume Sutter is going to have these guys ready to play to start next year.

[GS Skier]

Things to be upbeat about huh?

Defensive Hockey traditionally wins more cups than firewagon hockey.

First month Sutter was here I thought Gaudreau was gone. Lo and behold Johnny has 15 points in 10 games or some such. Turns out he can thrive under Sutter so if your pro-Guadreau and he's still exciting to watch, thats good.

Tkachuk who's I consider the most expensive and possibly expendable of the top 4 has also played better lately. If your a we must get Eichel fan, I can't think of any one else that would work. Lots of Sports Media types think he'll rebound too.

We have several good young defenders that Seattle cant touch to support the 3-4 Vetrans assuming Gio isn't picked, that we have left and a good goalie for a few years too bott.

Manigipane, Dube are thriving and Pelltier and Zary are positives.

Sutter likes to be strong down the middle and at least with Lindholm, Monahan and Backlund all have good size. Who knows if a center gets traded.

I think Lucic and his dough aside, some of the bottom 6 "750,000 a year" players we have get a bum rap. I think the 69-70 Bruins were the last team to have 11 x 20 goal scorers. I also think Sutter likes both Ritchie and Nordstrom for whatever reasons simply because he plays them! Keep in mind you can't trade 2-3 good pieces to get Eichel and then complain about the bottom 6 forwards. BTW I really don't think the Phillips kid will even get a sniff with Sutter just based on his style.

Fun summer ahead because we all believe something will happen but no one here has a clue what it will be. Thats good!

[GioforPM]

A. Sutter with a full offseason and camp will improve the team.

B. Valimaki, Dube and Rasmus struggled with increased roles, but there’s no reason to believe they can’t settle in.

C. The new Lindholm line looks fine, and assuming they keep Gaudreau and Tkachuk, could pick up where they are now.

D. If they don’t keep those guys, new blood is coming in.

E. Monahan’s surgery may revitalize him. Or they may trade him for new blood.

F. A full training camp should benefit Gio, who seemed to need a bigger runway as he aged this year. Lucic as well. Both of those guys got better as the season went on.

G. Mangiapane looks like he may have even another level.

H. Tanev is Tanev. Hanifin turned a corner this year. Kylington may get a role next year, and I bet they sign Stone to a good contract.

I. Non-injured Markstrom is a good starter.

J. If they lose Gio to expansion, they have $6.5M cap space.

[Burning Beard]

https://www.theplayerstribune.com/po...ens-hockey-nhl

Read this article about Toffoli and how Sutter brought a culture of winning into the room. Yeah, with this group of players it's a work in progress but I reckon in a non Covid year with a full training camp and some core changes this team will be a heck of a lot better next year.

[ricardodw]

No re-build required

The Flames need 1 more win this year to get 3rd spot in the 2019-20 Pacific division. They need to beat out Arizona.

[Roof-Daddy]

1. Full year of Sutter
2. Markstrom should be better and more consistent


That's all I got.

I'm assuming there will be some core changes. Need to see what they are before I can decide whether to be optimistic about them or not. If they can somehow get a guy like Eichel that completely changes the scope of things IMO.