Lets be honest, I don't think any Flames fan expects this team to win game 6. They've been horrible in elimination games the last half decade and I don't expect things to change. In saying that, what the hell are we going to do after that?
Now I have to admit my assessment of Giordano is rough in GDTs, and admittedly it isn't his fault that his decline has been sharp, but his days as a franchise dman are OVER! You can argue he wasn't that in the regular season, but he was still a solid #1d at least, but no longer. Add to the fact Brodie will likely be walking for nothing and our defense looks very bad next year. Andersson might top out as a solid #2d, but I can't see him ever having the offensive impact that Giordano had in his prime. Noah Hanifin honestly doesn't look like anything more than a meh #4, and I doubt there many gms in the league that will bite on his upside like the Flames did. So we gonna pray that Valimaki magically becomes a #1d next year? Yikes!
Forward group might have some hope with Mangi and Dube growing, but I think the time has come to move Gaudreau (and maybe even Monahan). The duo has been awful for almost 2 years now, and the fact of the matter is there are too many flaws in each their game's to be the main offensive driver of a team. Cut Gaudreau off and take away space, and he simply can't make effective plays. Monahan can't be relied on as an effective puck carrier or defensive player, so how tf can he be considered a #1C? I've always been a fan of Gaudreau, but he ain't gonna get it done here (give him a solid #1C though and I think he makes people eat crow). Add to the fact Backlund is near the end of his prime, along with absolutely 0 blue chip centre prospects, and the forward group is going to be in a lot of trouble real soon (also looks like an almost certainty Gaudreau will walk in 2 years as well).
Talbot has been solid in the playoffs, but how are the Flames are gonna afford to keep him if they wanna improve the roster (and can he be trusted to be the #1G)? Rittich has lost the net twice in the playoffs, what's his future looking like?
Geoff Ward looks.... eh? Idk the team got caved against Colorado last year so you do have to question personnel, but I don't think he's the guy either.
The team rn is missing a #1C, a #1D, and a #1G. They also likely lose their #2D to free agency, and our #1W is likely all but gone in a couple years. My take, this team is primed for a retool and a top 10 pick or two. Either that or we could push the can down the road and probably implode just as our new arena is in place. Miracles can happen, but I don't think this core will EVER be a cup contender. Oh well, not like things will ever change.
Now I have to admit my assessment of Giordano is rough in GDTs, and admittedly it isn't his fault that his decline has been sharp, but his days as a franchise dman are OVER! You can argue he wasn't that in the regular season, but he was still a solid #1d at least, but no longer. Add to the fact Brodie will likely be walking for nothing and our defense looks very bad next year. Andersson might top out as a solid #2d, but I can't see him ever having the offensive impact that Giordano had in his prime. Noah Hanifin honestly doesn't look like anything more than a meh #4, and I doubt there many gms in the league that will bite on his upside like the Flames did. So we gonna pray that Valimaki magically becomes a #1d next year? Yikes!
Forward group might have some hope with Mangi and Dube growing, but I think the time has come to move Gaudreau (and maybe even Monahan). The duo has been awful for almost 2 years now, and the fact of the matter is there are too many flaws in each their game's to be the main offensive driver of a team. Cut Gaudreau off and take away space, and he simply can't make effective plays. Monahan can't be relied on as an effective puck carrier or defensive player, so how tf can he be considered a #1C? I've always been a fan of Gaudreau, but he ain't gonna get it done here (give him a solid #1C though and I think he makes people eat crow). Add to the fact Backlund is near the end of his prime, along with absolutely 0 blue chip centre prospects, and the forward group is going to be in a lot of trouble real soon (also looks like an almost certainty Gaudreau will walk in 2 years as well).
Talbot has been solid in the playoffs, but how are the Flames are gonna afford to keep him if they wanna improve the roster (and can he be trusted to be the #1G)? Rittich has lost the net twice in the playoffs, what's his future looking like?
Geoff Ward looks.... eh? Idk the team got caved against Colorado last year so you do have to question personnel, but I don't think he's the guy either.
The team rn is missing a #1C, a #1D, and a #1G. They also likely lose their #2D to free agency, and our #1W is likely all but gone in a couple years. My take, this team is primed for a retool and a top 10 pick or two. Either that or we could push the can down the road and probably implode just as our new arena is in place. Miracles can happen, but I don't think this core will EVER be a cup contender. Oh well, not like things will ever change.
