As the core stands now, do you believe it has cup potential?

[Joborule]

So entering the second playoff appearance in three years, some of the key players on the roster are getting their second playoff experience, while some others are getting there first. While experience is important, ultimately in order to win the cup you gotta have the skill, perseverance, and determination (and a little bit of luck doesn't hurt) to pull it off.

A common trend with the past Stanley Cup winners over the past decade is that the teams had superstar 1-2 punch players, (Red Wings - Datsyuk/Zetterberg; Penguins - Crosby/Malkin; Blackhawks - Toews/Kane) along with a top tier defenseman and strong goaltending. Although there also have been winners that despite lacking that 1-2 punch, they still pulled through with strong defense and goaltending. (Ducks, Bruins, Kings)

As the roster stands today, and depending on your interpretation of the core, do you believe it will be a strong cup contender within the next few years? If so, do you believe they are this year, or still need more seasoning? If not, what's missing?

[Caged Great]

Yes. Just have to get the other pieces that are needed and we're going to be an elite team. Just a matter of going out and getting those pieces.

[Zoller]

I feel its a repeat of the 80's. Flames will have a good team, maybe a great team. But the Oilers will just be better and overshadow us during the peak years of our core.

Hope I'm wrong but... Sure does look that way

[Frequitude]

Yup

[bigrangy]

If Bennett develops into what everyone is hoping for, Tkachuk continues to show progression, Backlund is re-signed, and one defense prospect shows up that can play top 4 I would be confident that they can be a perennial contender.

If everyone pretty much stalls where they are, I could believe in a miracle run but I wouldn't expect it.

[TheScorpion]

I see the current core as:

Monahan - Star centre
Gaudreau - Elite winger
Tkachuk - Star winger
Backlund - Star centre
Frolik - Top-six winger
Bennett - Middle-six centre
Giordano - Star defenseman
Hamilton - Star defenseman
Brodie - Top-pairing defenseman

I also believe that there are some terrific complimentary pieces there, like Elliott, Stone, Versteeg, and Ferland.

But until there is a goaltender in that core, I'm unsure how far said core can go.

[Yoho]

Originally Posted by Zoller

I feel its a repeat of the 80's. Flames will have a good team, maybe a great team. But the Oilers will just be better and overshadow us during the peak years of our core.

Hope I'm wrong but... Sure does look that way

That's the spirit Eeyore.

[Roof-Daddy]

Well right now our core is absent of a goalie, so hard to answer.

Besides finding a steady goalie who ends the Kipper-less carousel:

1. Bennett needs to take the next step or two.
2. Giordano needs to maintain his current standard of play through his mid 30's
3. Backlund needs to be extended to a non cap crippling contract


Monahan
Backlund
Bennett
Jankowski
Lazar

Gaudreau
Tkachuk
Frolik

Giordano
Hamilton
Brodie


With a good goalie locked in long term, I think that core has a chance to contend.

[Erick Estrada]

Need a top line scoring RW, franchise goaltender, and shutdown defenseman. They are good enough to be a playoff team but a few pieces short of being a real cup contender.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Need a top line scoring RW, franchise goaltender, and shutdown defenseman. They are good enough to be a playoff team but a few pieces short of being a real cup contender.

They need that to be a perfect team.

In the cap era, there are no perfect teams.

With another year of experience, and a #1 goalie, this is a real contender.

[CsInMyBlood]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Need a top line scoring RW, franchise goaltender, and shutdown defenseman. They are good enough to be a playoff team but a few pieces short of being a real cup contender.

So Iginla, Kiprusoff and Regehr.

The irony.

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by Zoller

I feel its a repeat of the 80's. Flames will have a good team, maybe a great team. But the Oilers will just be better and overshadow us during the peak years of our core.

Hope I'm wrong but... Sure does look that way

Before they've achieved anything it "sure does look that way?"

Grow some backbone Flames fan. You're anointing the Oilers earlier than most of their fans.

[Gaudfather]

For the 2017 playoff run the Flames may have the best goalie in the Western Conference in Elliott! He gets into playoff mode and I will stack him against anyone.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

They need that to be a perfect team.

In the cap era, there are no perfect teams.

With another year of experience, and a #1 goalie, this is a real contender.

I never said they needed Carey Price in net, Iginla in his prime on RW and Willie Mitchell on defense. They need improvement in those areas. Flames have the worst RW depth in the league. That can easily be improved on and while Elliott improved in the 2nd half the overall numbers of both goaltenders this season isn't good enough. Defensively they have too many of the same types of defenders and not a physical defensman that can shut down teams most skilled players. These are deficient areas that make the difference when this team loses to contending teams like the Ducks.

[Par]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I never said they needed Carey Price in net, Iginla in his prime on RW and Willie Mitchell on defense. They need improvement in those areas. Flames have the worst RW depth in the league. That can easily be improved on and while Elliott improved in the 2nd half the overall numbers of both goaltenders this season isn't good enough. Defensively they have too many of the same types of defenders and not a physical defensman that can shut down teams most skilled players. These are deficient areas that make the difference when this team loses to contending teams like the Ducks.

Don't you think Stone can that shutdown D man.? What about Alnzer?

[GreenLantern2814]

Not sold on the goaltending long term. And they need more forward depth.

But absolutely the core has cup potential. Johnny is the type of player who could absolutely win an Art Ross, they can always have one of Brodie Dougie or Gio on the ice, Backlund and Monahan are better right now than any centres who ever played with Jarome when he was here. Last but not least, Matthew Tkachuk - a player who might be able to lay claim to the title 'best LW on the team' in a few years. He could be the Hossa we're looking for.

They're close. They have nearly everything you want in a contending team, they just have a few dog#### contracts. Without dead Wideman money or paying Stajan $3.5M, Bouma, or Brouwer, that let's them buy the impact guys they need.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Par

Don't you think Stone can that shutdown D man.? What about Alnzer?

I like Alzner but mistakes like Brouwer make that difficult as a team is going to have to overpay for his services and you can only have so many players overpaid on your roster. Ideally the Flames could produce that player from within but the teams defensive prospects are more in the mold of what they already have in Gio and Brody.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I like Alzner but mistakes like Brouwer make that difficult as a team is going to have to overpay for his services and you can only have so many players overpaid on your roster. Ideally the Flames could produce that player from within but the teams defensive prospects are more in the mold of what they already have in Gio and Brody.

But is Stone that guy? I think he is.

Also, it's 'Brodie'.

[Vinny01]

Yes but several players need to pan out. Bennett is the key imo and if he could become a number 1 centre this team will be in good shape. Jankowski is another wild card that could really help this core win a cup. Tkachuk is the typ of player you win with. Monahan is a steady big body centre with a great goal scoring touch. Gaudreau is a superstar with special talents. Hamilton is a big body, smooth skating, offensive Dman.

Pieces are there but a lot has to work out including either Gillies/Parsons pan out or the Flames acquire a long term starter.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Yes, just need some of the pieces to mature. Two more years.