Speculation: Where do you expect us to finish in our division
- Thread starter Mobiandi
- Start date
Mazatt
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- Apr 30, 2019
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I don't understand the point you were driving home here. There was a 3 year period where Talbot was a solid starter and now Markstrom has broken out into the starters role for 3 years, except Markstrom hasn't been run into the ground by a new team? Just because Talbot was good then was bad, and then good, doesn't mean every single goalie follows that exact same pattern
BudRobinson53
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- Sep 5, 2020
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As always with this team, how will our X-Factors contribute? Dube, Mangipane, Valamaki and will Markstrom come as advertised. If 2 of those 3 young players improve and Markstrom plays well, hard not to see a top 2 finish
I honestly don’t think it’s a huge drop. I mean, I watched Ras’s 30 minute highlight video on YouTube the other night and there were 3-4 clips where he completely shut McDavid down where many other guys would get completely burnt wide.
I think we’re in a good spot with Ras replacing Brodie - he’s gonna turn some head this year, it’s Giordano’s playoff performance that worries me.
Mobiandi
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- Jan 17, 2015
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Gio's a worry to me because I hope our coaching doesn't intend to lean on him heavily anymore. I can't think of any 37 year old top pairing defensemen and in a condensed season such as this, it would be smarter to ease his minutes by a lot
No argument here. Would hope Gio sees 0 PP time in favour of any of Andersson, Valimaki, Hanifin, Kylington in an attempt to limit his minutes.
Volica
Papa Shango
- May 15, 2012
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We saw in the playoffs last year they have already started the slow down on Gio.
He was 4th in 5v5 TOI last year, which should follow suit for this upcoming year.
If I were Calgary, I'd roll out:
Hanifin - Andersson
Giordano - Tanev
Valimaki - Kylington/Nesterov
Gio/Tanev get PK1 responsibilities, and you sort of play the game by ear in terms of who you're going to use to go against the other teams' best player.
Volica
Papa Shango
- May 15, 2012
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This will literally be the difference between Calgary being a top seed, and being in the basement.
If we can get average years from Gaudreau/Monahan/Lindholm (they don't need to be 2018/2019, but if we get John's 15/16 or 17/18)
Continue to get growth from Tkachuk, Mangiapane, Andersson, Hanifin.
Get what we paid for in net with Markstrom.
Find gold in two of:
Valiamki, Dube, Leivo or Kylington.
Calgary will be top seed. I don't even have a question about it.
That said, in Calgary town we're far more accustomed to shit going sideways... very different story if nothing pans out.
Mazatt
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- Apr 30, 2019
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Flames we're 3rd in the Pacific and 4 points back of 2nd with a game in hand with:
Gaudreau struggling
Monahan struggling
Giordano out for a period of time
Hamonic out for extended time
No Valimaki
Rittich getting injured partway through the year
Frolik falling off a cliff
aaand Dube was not playing for 25 games last year. Gaudreau and Monahan being around average (near ppg for Gaudreau, 25-30 goals for Monahan), Giordano healthy, Andersson in the lineup, a bonafide #1, Dube for the whole season, etc. etc. hard to imagine we don't improve
Gaudreau struggling
Monahan struggling
Giordano out for a period of time
Hamonic out for extended time
No Valimaki
Rittich getting injured partway through the year
Frolik falling off a cliff
aaand Dube was not playing for 25 games last year. Gaudreau and Monahan being around average (near ppg for Gaudreau, 25-30 goals for Monahan), Giordano healthy, Andersson in the lineup, a bonafide #1, Dube for the whole season, etc. etc. hard to imagine we don't improve
Simplythebreast
Registered User
- Jul 20, 2019
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I can see us being a deeper team on forward with plenty of line options. Defence is a toss up at this point. I think what we have is quite a bit better line up on the back end then some Canadian teams, not all.
This year is going to be a gong show. I don’t know if it will truly reflect on the team we currently have as we aren’t facing deep teams like Vegas, Colorado, Tampa etc. However, as Canadian teams go I would say we are in a good spot for second or third, who really know though. Ottawa or Edmonton could come out of nowhere and just be lights out. It’s going to be a tough season I personally think.
Deen
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- Feb 19, 2010
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Tkachuk is going to be tested. Hopefully he can stay healthy.
Jihadi Flames Fan
1989
- Sep 13, 2009
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I expect us to win the Division (Regular Season & Playoffs).
But honestly, I don't think they should even be coming back.
But honestly, I don't think they should even be coming back.
Johnny Hoxville
The Return of a Legend
I honestly think we will have a top 5 defensive core and people will be shocked at how good we are. I expect massive growth from all of Hanfin, Andersson, Valimaki and Kylington.
Mobiandi
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- Jan 17, 2015
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InfinityIggy
Zagidulin's Dad
It's going to be a crazy season....this isn't the bubble like the playoffs, there will be cases and canceled games. There will be guys (multi) that cannot play. Depth will be the most important thing.
Who was it in the NFL that had no QB and had to start a rookie WR at QB because all the others were exposed? that is going to be likely I think when it comes to goalies for sure. Is the 3rd guy sheltered?
Who was it in the NFL that had no QB and had to start a rookie WR at QB because all the others were exposed? that is going to be likely I think when it comes to goalies for sure. Is the 3rd guy sheltered?
Unless it is part of the guidelines specifically negotiated by the Canadian provinces, I believe one of the TSN guys reported players who are close contacts won’t have to isolate as long as they remain asymptomatic and continue to test negative.
Fig
Absolute Horse Shirt
- Dec 15, 2014
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NinjaTurtle
Registered User
Assuming the season goes well from a pandemic point, which is a big IF, I feel the Flames are a top 2 team in the division. I’m also used to the Flames underachieving when expectations are high, so we will see.
Toronto has tons of good pieces and expectations are high, but everything could blow up there. Edmonton has some good pieces and could finally put together a good season, especially since it’s not 82 games.
Vancouver really trended upwards last year but has some significant turnover, so they could progress just as easily as they could regress. Winnipeg has some good pieces up front and a stellar goalie, but that hodgepodge defence isn’t very impressive.
Montreal has tons of depth but lacks high end players. There new back up may provide a great tandem in net and coaching could get a lot out of the two way players on that roster.
Ottawa should be better. Murray is a nice piece in net for the next few years. They have tons of young stars in the making and some interesting off season acquisitions. Everyone is slotting them last, but they could definitely surprise.
What I’m saying is: you might as well throw darts at a board. None of the Canadian teams are a consistent or dependable threat as a top team. Everyone has flaws and could just as likely overachieve as underachieve. Add in the 8-10 games against each team and hot and cold streaks could drastically swing the standings.
Toronto has tons of good pieces and expectations are high, but everything could blow up there. Edmonton has some good pieces and could finally put together a good season, especially since it’s not 82 games.
Vancouver really trended upwards last year but has some significant turnover, so they could progress just as easily as they could regress. Winnipeg has some good pieces up front and a stellar goalie, but that hodgepodge defence isn’t very impressive.
Montreal has tons of depth but lacks high end players. There new back up may provide a great tandem in net and coaching could get a lot out of the two way players on that roster.
Ottawa should be better. Murray is a nice piece in net for the next few years. They have tons of young stars in the making and some interesting off season acquisitions. Everyone is slotting them last, but they could definitely surprise.
What I’m saying is: you might as well throw darts at a board. None of the Canadian teams are a consistent or dependable threat as a top team. Everyone has flaws and could just as likely overachieve as underachieve. Add in the 8-10 games against each team and hot and cold streaks could drastically swing the standings.
I am going with following prediction -
1. Leafs
2. Flames
3. Canadiens
4. Jets
5. Canucks
6. Oilers
7. Senators
1. Leafs
2. Flames
3. Canadiens
4. Jets
5. Canucks
6. Oilers
7. Senators
