Are the Flames a serious Cup threat?

[MrSnrub]

Now the #1 seed in the West, with the best point differential in their conference, but how would these Flames stack up against the best of the West in a playoff series? And could they topple the beasts of the East?

Click to read more...

 

[Jozay]

Yeah

 

[Royal Thunder]

Goaltending is the x factor, but yes their forwards and defense are cup contender worthy. Hope Rittich keeps it up

 

[KoozNetsOff 92]

Not a serious threat but they are a good team.

 

[hotcabbagesoup]

Unstoppable. Who can stop their many PPG players. Brodie has taken the next step. Rittich is the real deal. Watch out Eastern Conference!

 

[Pizza the Hutt]

They have to prove how serious they are in the remaining 41+ games.

Great start and living up to their potential so far.

 

[cheechoo]

They can go head to head with any team in the west.

 

[Paper]

Unstoppable. Who can stop their many PPG players. Brodie has taken the next step. Rittich is the real deal. Watch out Eastern Conference!

Man, someone not taking the 6 game streak all that well.

 

[kungfugazi]

Maybe. If their goaltending gets hot at the right time, I could see them going deep in the playoffs. They got the depth.

Safe bet would be, they need a little bit more playoff experience (and more consistent goaltending) before reaching that next level. They seem to capitalize on their opponent's mistakes a lot, but the playoffs is a different beast. It's usually a tighter game. Not to say that they play a one dimensional game, far from it.

But also, yeah, Vegas didn't seem to care, so what do I know.

 

[Kybb79]

Skill, Toughness and speed is a dangerous combination. The Flames have that.

 

[djpatm]

Im not celebrating yet, still lots of season left and I have been let down oh so many times but if they can play like they have so far for the rest of the season they definitely would look like a decent pick

 

[mphmiles]

Generally, Outshooting opponents + plentiful high skilled F's + good goalie = cup contender.

They definitely have the 1st 2. rittich is the wild card for them. If he keeps it up, yes- If he begins to fall off, no.

 

[Bounces R Way]

I really only see Tampa as a true contender at this point. The Peters hire has payed off very very well as has the Hamilton trade for the Flames.

 

[Devonator]

Nope.......the Preds and Jets are basically the only serious threats from the West...the Flames are pretenders that will not last....

 

[hotcabbagesoup]

Im not celebrating yet, still lots of season left and I have been let down oh so many times but if they can play like they have so far for the rest of the season they definitely would look like a decent pick

You Calgary fans are so humble, man. It clearly comes from the many years where your team never tanked and always tried to compete every single year. Especially when competing came at the price of getting a truly high-end player and kept you in that limbo of no top-3 selection. I'm glad your draft picks have made it big because you guys deserve it. Kinda like the Sharks, always trying to compete and rebuild on the fly and never doing a scorched-earth rebuild.

 

[Duffalufagus]

Nope.......the Preds and Jets are basically the only serious threats from the West...the Flames are pretenders that will not last....

The same Jets and Preds the Flames have owned this year?

 

[Unlimited Chequing]

No. Go away.

We've only gotten this far by playing teams on the second of back-to-backs and against backup goalies for 41 games. Also reffing has been completely in our favour all season long cause Johnny's a whiner. We're due for our customary collapse any time now.

 

[Coffey]

I f***ing hope not!

 

[Unlimited Chequing]

Nope.......the Preds and Jets are basically the only serious threats from the West...the Flames are pretenders that will not last....

I'm actually more worried about the Jets than I am the Preds at this point. Jets had a good team last season and they're even better this season. I can honestly say I see the Jets in the finals this year.

 

[BigRangy]

Nobody except Tampa is a legitimate cup contender right now

I don’t think this is a year for the Flames to go all in so to speak, but then again I don’t want them to waste a year of prime Giordano.

 

[SabresSharks]

Looking good so far. Balanced scoring, legit top-4 D, physical when they need to be, Rittich is solid, and Smith has been better.

Only 1/2 way through the season. A lot can change.

 

[Khrox]

I'd say the Flames are a playoff team. Whether they are contenders is a different story. The second half of the season is still a long road, and it only gets tougher the closer it gets to playoffs (the non-playoff teams like to try to play spoiler, other playoff teams want to get the feel of what a potential series will be and play hard). I'll be willing to talk cup threat if we get to the WCF first. Until then, the boys got to put on their skates and still just play their game and get there first.

 

[debil]

Flames had very good helf season after years of sucking, not gonna label them as contender before they prove something in the playoffs.

 

[vanarchy]

The goaltending will be an issue long term imo. Everything else is legit and Treliving should get full credit for what he's done thus far.

 

[StroShow]

If they can get a solid goalie, yes.