Speculation: Western conference team with fans closest tonthe ledge?
- Thread starter Wry n Ginger
- Start date
Pastor Of Muppetz
Registered User
- Oct 1, 2017
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I'd say Calgarys fans..They know the writing is on the wall..There are some really good players on the roster, and even if they manage to improve their play this season, they'll be middle of the pack, mediocrity.
They are veering into what the Canucks were doing 2014-17..Trying to win around a couple of veteran players, its a mixed message..They should stop messing about, because they are in a prime position to get a big headstart on a rebuild.
They need an influx of young elite talent...Problem is, its a Canadian market, and there's the probability the ownership does'nt want to go full San Jose Sharks with an empty building for consecutive years.
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Have to treat Kadri and Hubs as sunk costs. Teams just do not retain more than like 15% on a contract that lasts 5 years or more. Kessel, OEL, Lu, Karlsson, etc. down the line.
Only if the deal expires within 2 years do teams go up to 50%. Burns was like 1/3 or something on his.
Too much can change in the next 7 seasons for Calgary to be on the hook for 1/2 of Hub or another 5 with Kadri. Markstrom for 2 more years after this, they could retain on if he were to waive.
Lindholm and Hanifin will return a good package. Tanev, Zadorov more rental prices. Think they sold early on TT, but he was a Sutter guy and wanted out I believe.
Mr. Canucklehead
Kitimat Canuck
Calgary.
Edmonton's offense is too strong to allow the team to continue to wallow for too long. But unless they address their G and D, it won't get them far enough. And then all bets are off if Draisaitl and McDavid get to their contract years without that being addressed.
Kraken just need to keep doing what they are doing. They were bound to regress a bit this year, as a lot of guys had career seasons last year, but they are still building towards a solid future.
Winnipeg is harder to gauge. I think their team is doing all right, and they managed to lock up some core pieces (surprising). I don't think the contracts will age all that great, and they're not a contender, but they might be a playoff team. Their biggest concerns are their market. With management not-so-thinly-veiling threats about relocating if ticket sales don't increase, and attendance dwindling...that's a concern.
Edmonton's offense is too strong to allow the team to continue to wallow for too long. But unless they address their G and D, it won't get them far enough. And then all bets are off if Draisaitl and McDavid get to their contract years without that being addressed.
Kraken just need to keep doing what they are doing. They were bound to regress a bit this year, as a lot of guys had career seasons last year, but they are still building towards a solid future.
Winnipeg is harder to gauge. I think their team is doing all right, and they managed to lock up some core pieces (surprising). I don't think the contracts will age all that great, and they're not a contender, but they might be a playoff team. Their biggest concerns are their market. With management not-so-thinly-veiling threats about relocating if ticket sales don't increase, and attendance dwindling...that's a concern.
Jets , it’s more the corporate buyers than direct to fan tickets. They read the market wrong if they expected the fans to buy up what corporations passed in. Walk up crowd, I would not blame for passing given where the team was and lack of direction up til they extended their 2 guys.
I mean if that same scenario played out here is the fanbase expected to buy up those 3-4K of corporate tickets?
Have to agree on Calgary......too many guys 30-plus on bad contracts.....and some impending UFA's who've subtly indicated they won't be re-signing in Cowtown.
Craig Conroy has a huge job ahead of him. No team in the league is under more pressure to maximize the return for guys like Hanafin, Lindholm, Tanev, Zadorov etc etc.
For Flames fans, 'the ledge' is beckoning.
Craig Conroy has a huge job ahead of him. No team in the league is under more pressure to maximize the return for guys like Hanafin, Lindholm, Tanev, Zadorov etc etc.
For Flames fans, 'the ledge' is beckoning.
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Bourne Endeavor
Registered User
Without a doubt Calgary.
They're completely directionless at the moment yet seem intent on trying to both "retool" and content without any real star players to lean on. Essentially us prior to Petersson and Hughes' emergence. The bigger problem for them are Hubs and Kadri's contracts. Contrary to what a lot of people think, I do believe Kadri is moveable, albeit in the same way Karlsson was: a nothing return.
There's just no chance they ever get out of Huberdeau's deal. It's complete buyout proof and stretches all the way to 2031.
What I don't understand is why they haven't tried to make him the focus ala Florida. You'd think with a new coach they'd at least try more of a east/west rush system that far better suits his style but nope. It's still a watered down version of Daryl Sutter hockey.
They can't even properly tank given the disastrous trade with Montreal. Although, it seems inevitable the Habs will get Florida's pick.
The whole organization is a mess and I can't see any other fanbase as defeated. Edmonton is more of a shock but they'll climb out. There's no chance they stay this bad with McDavid and Draisaitl. Now if those two decide they've had enough. Oh boy...
They're completely directionless at the moment yet seem intent on trying to both "retool" and content without any real star players to lean on. Essentially us prior to Petersson and Hughes' emergence. The bigger problem for them are Hubs and Kadri's contracts. Contrary to what a lot of people think, I do believe Kadri is moveable, albeit in the same way Karlsson was: a nothing return.
There's just no chance they ever get out of Huberdeau's deal. It's complete buyout proof and stretches all the way to 2031.
What I don't understand is why they haven't tried to make him the focus ala Florida. You'd think with a new coach they'd at least try more of a east/west rush system that far better suits his style but nope. It's still a watered down version of Daryl Sutter hockey.
They can't even properly tank given the disastrous trade with Montreal. Although, it seems inevitable the Habs will get Florida's pick.
The whole organization is a mess and I can't see any other fanbase as defeated. Edmonton is more of a shock but they'll climb out. There's no chance they stay this bad with McDavid and Draisaitl. Now if those two decide they've had enough. Oh boy...
Lindgren
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- Jun 30, 2005
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The Oilers have won a few in a row, and perhaps the "inevitable" rise is underway. But I think their fans are closest to the ledge.
Edmonton has a handful of tough road games coming up, and then a few key divisional matches at home. If they don't do well there, it may be that the only inevitable thing would be an eventual rise from the bottom of the standings up to a middling draft pick. Expectations at the start of the season were high, a rebuild is obviously out of the question and they already fired the coach. So what do they do?
Another few wins and I suppose it'll all be moot. But I don't see those wins as guaranteed.
Raistlin
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- Aug 25, 2006
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EDM to be honest, because I dont see Draisaitl staying because I see them narrowly making playoffs then fizzle in rd1. Their prospects are stale. Broberg and Holloway arent great, Bouchard is a Barrie, the rest of their high picks are gone. Their defense is leaky as hell, and they have 5 million in the minors. Skinner is a bandaid so they have to trade for a goalie, ....for Nuge? Can 2 guys really win you a cup? Calgary has prospects, and will be able to pawn off their roster for a headstart. that will happen at the TDL. and thats the direction going forward with Hub/Kadri as anchors.
fanbase most on edge? maybe it's the canucks lol
if the wheels fall off (and i don't think they will) and we miss the playoffs, all bets are off. too much pent up shit from the benning years to handle a disappointing collapse from the top
most ready to blow it up, idk, calgary or minnesota probably
if the wheels fall off (and i don't think they will) and we miss the playoffs, all bets are off. too much pent up shit from the benning years to handle a disappointing collapse from the top
most ready to blow it up, idk, calgary or minnesota probably
