Speculation: Will Calgary win the Cup this year?

[ottomaddox]

I come in peace.

I admire a lot of the Flames' offseason moves. I think they are pretty significant.

Do you think Calgary can have a good year or perhaps win a cup?

They seem to have all the ingredients now. Do you think they need to add more to the team?

Curious...

Click to read more...

 

[Yotes4Cup]

A lot of things would have to go right for that to happen.

 

[Corpus X]

It's possible, but highly unlikely. I do believe they are playoff bound, however.

 

[Ace Rimmer]

Anything is possible, in this life.

Team needs to stay healthy and bottom six needs to show more this season.

 

[Mobiandi]

I think we're due for another slow start just due to how many new pieces there are and how long things will take to get settled. I'd be pleased if we made the playoffs and looked competitive in the first round. Those are pretty much my expectations for this upcoming season

 

[Johnny Hoxville]

I honestly don’t see how we won’t win the Cup. Bennett and Tkachuk are going to become stars this year.

 

[MDCSL]

I honestly don’t see how we won’t win the Cup. Bennett and Tkachuk are going to become stars this year.

Bennett’s gonna get 70 points and force Monahan to be a 60 point 3rd line LW AINEC

 

[Unlimited Chequing]

A lot of things would have to go right for that to happen.

Like the release of some airborne pathogen that only affects 30 other teams.

I honestly don’t see how we won’t win the Cup. Bennett and Tkachuk are going to become stars this year.

Stars? Captains. Both of them!

 

[Anglesmith]

For what it's worth, there are 31 teams trying to win this Cup, and winning the Cup is thus unlikely for every single team, even considering how certain teams are much better than others on paper. It was unlikely that Washington won last year, and unlikely that Pittsburgh repeated the year before. It's definitely unlikely the Flames win the Cup this year. But not ridiculously so. All a team needs is to gel together, play good hockey and get some good fortune at key moments. The Flames have the pieces required to win a lot of games, but winning is about how the team plays together, which under Peters is a complete unknown.

 

[InfinityIggy]

Yes.

 

[Johnny Hoxville]

You know who’s not winning the Cup, the Rags and that Lisa Andersson.

 

[SKRusty]

I won't commit to a Stanley Cup appearance but I would say Calgary has to be the front runner coming out of the Pacific. So semi finals I would say are quite likely.

 

[Lunatik]

I too like the changes and feel we as a team will be improved. That is all I will commit to

 

[Ace Rimmer]

You know who’s not winning the Cup, the Rags and that Lisa Andersson.

I don't know who that is. But yes, she probably won't win.

 

[Johnny Hoxville]

I don't know who that is. But yes, she probably won't win.

That was a typo, meant Lias*, not Lisa. The guy that threw away his medal.

 

[InfinityIggy]

That was a typo, meant Lias*, not Lisa. The guy that threw away his medal.

No im pretty sure that’s Lisa.

 

[Potty John]

Without more more consistent goaltending we aren’t going to make it far in the playoffs. Hopefully Gillies grabs the starters position and holds on.

 

[The Gnome]

Unlikely, however, if Smith's groin holds, we are definitely contenders (albeit on the lower end of that spectrum). In fact, I'll go as far to say playoffs are not a guarantee if Smith goes down, when he was healthy last year he was one of the best goalies in the league.

 

[Spirit of 67]

That was a typo, meant Lias*, not Lisa. The guy that threw away his medal.

I thought it was done on purpose. It's brilliant.

Most definitely have to use that on the poster known as Lias Andersson.

 

[Volica]

Maybe?
Once in the playoffs everything is possible. No one would have predicted the Caps/Knights final from last year, so it's impossible to tell this early in the game.

Here's what they have going for them:

• They have a star LW
• They have a centre who is improving YoY, and last year was looking like a breakout season.
• They added two top 6 RW with one potentially being a C.
• They have a Selke level 2C
• They're a really young core. People always talk about the other Canadian cities and their young core, Calgary's right there with them.
• They have a really strong D-corps. Giordano is a legit 1D, Brodie, Hammer and Hanifin are all legit top 4D. Andersson, Hanifin, Valimaki and Kylington are all super young players who could play for Calgary this year, all with huge upsides.
• Their bottom 6 is completely reshaped, and now had more balance. There are two guys in the bottom 6 that are ~40 point players in Ryan and Frolik. Lots of youth on the bottom 6 too.
• They play in a weak Pacific, it's the quickest way to a quarterfinal's appearance, and easiest. They'll get a lot of games against Arizona, Vancouver and Edmonton this year; should be some good points accumulated there.

Here's what they have going against them:

• Still a lot of unproven depth. There's youth there, but there's guys that are still finding their footing in the NHL.
• Goaltending, if it stays healthy is fine. If Smith is injured, Calgary's hopes die with that.
• There's a new coach and system. There might be growing pains.
• Backend has the potential to be really young, there might be growing pains.

There's more good than bad. I expect them to be fighting for the top spot in the Pacific this year. This is a good year to try it. LA is the only team that really 'got better' on paper during the summer. SJ, Anaheim, Edmonton, Vancouver and Vegas are essentially the same teams from last year; some are lesser even (Vegas lost two top 6F).

 

[Kranix]

Finals at least

 

[Calculon]

 

[Fig]

Nice try OP, unless thy powers include powers of Wardo predictions. Let's pump the brakes on distractions. We just killed the Anaheim and Buffalo one. Let's not let the seeds of a new one take hold.

But the Flames will indeed win cups in 2019. Multiple actually. #TimHorton'srolluptherim

 

[Mr Snrub]

Saw some article last night that mentioned Peters has never cracked 90 points as a coach and that really put a damper on things. I'd be happy if they made the playoffs, surprised if they made the second round. No chance they win the Cup.

 

[InfinityIggy]

Saw some article last night that mentioned Peters has never cracked 90 points as a coach and that really put a damper on things. I'd be happy if they made the playoffs, surprised if they made the second round. No chance they win the Cup.

That is concerning, but he's also never coached a good team.