Are the Flames truely a cup contender???

Joey Moss · Post by **Joey Moss** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 8:26 am

I ask this because people at work are talking about the Flames winning the west and making a run for the Cup. I just don't see it. Is my hate for the flames clogging my objectivity?

Sure they had a great playoff run, but they road Kipper, Iggy, and some timely goals from Gelinas. I won't argue the fact that Kipper will play well this year, and that Iggy is the best player in the league. It may be true that they've added some talent, however, they have also lost some in Conroy and Gelinas. They only made the playoffs by 4 points and this year they won't be catching teams by surpise this year facing their back-up goalies.

Am i nuts? I just can't see them beating Vacouver for the tops spot in the divison let alone coming out of the west.

fix · Post by **fix** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 1:30 pm

Personally, I think that Edmonton has a better shot this year with the moves that they made.
Calgary had a great run when hockey was last played but still, you have to wonder if they weren't a better version of the 2002 Hurricanes.

Cicatrix · Post by **Cicatrix** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 4:28 pm

Joey Moss wrote:Am i nuts?

You would be if you had any.

ZING!

Donovan · Post by **Donovan** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 4:46 pm

I'm not betting that Calgary will beat Vancouver to lead the Division, but they'll be a solid second. And I'm more scared of Minnesota than I am of Edmonton.

People need to get the Carolina/Anaheim jinx out of their heads. This is a new league and both of those teams lost talent after their cup runs. Calgary has improved by replacing the guys they lost with even better ones. I'm excited to see what Langkow, Amonte and McCarty will bring to this team, and how Kobasew and Phaneuf will look in training camp.

I am worried that if Kipper goes down for any length of time it could be disastrous, but for the most part I'm feeling upbeat about their chances. But it's pointless to "plan the parade route" at this point, especially after all the changes to the rules and personnel across the league.

Go Flames!

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 12:23 am

To be honest, it's way to early to think about that. The Flames look very good on paper but we'll see how things shake out.

JD · Post by JD » Mon Sep 12, 2005 2:59 pm

Otis wrote:Personally, I think that Edmonton has a better shot this year with the moves that they made.

I'm definitely not planning any parades over the Flames, but what could possess you to say this??

Markkanen and Conklin as your goalies...

No #1 centreman...

Little defensive depth past Pronger and Smith...

I just don't see it.

Regarding Gelinas' big goals in the playoffs: I could have scored those tap-ins. They were great moments and props to Gelinas for finding the space, but honestly, what plumber in this league couldn't have made those plays? Gelinas was a gritty heart-and-soul player, but he's far from irreplaceable.

Facing back-up goalies?? Uh, you do realize that the Flames held down a playoff spot from December to the end of the season. I don't think you play a back-up against a team you need to catch in the standings. That's a stupid argument. Catching teams by surprise? All the way to the Finals? Probably not.

I think the Flames have a chance to go to the Finals again. Just like any team does. I agree with Donovan's take, and I definitely agree with Shoalzie that it's way too early. We don't know how the Flames will look, just like we don't know how the rest of the teams in the West will look.

The Flames could just as easily miss the playoffs, considering that a lot of teams have improved themselves.

Gelinas-Conroy-Iginla vs. Amonte-Langkow-Iginla
Nieminen-Nilson-Donovan vs. Reinprecht-Lombardi-Kobasew
Simon-Yelle-Clark vs. Simon-Yelle-Donovan
Oliwa-Kobasew-Saprykin vs. Nilson-Wiemer-McCarty

I'd say that's an improvement.

Subtract Commodore and Lydman and add Hamrlik and Phaneuf to the defense, and a maturing defense will be even better than last time.

It's only natural to look at the team and say it looks better than last time on paper and expect better results.

The games have to be played. We'll find out then.

Captain Haddock · Post by **Captain Haddock** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 4:08 pm

Las Vegas has then at 10-1 to win Stanley. ...and has them ranked 7th in team strength.

It definitely looks possible.

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 4:39 pm

Captain Haddock wrote:Las Vegas has then at 10-1 to win Stanley. ...and has them ranked 7th in team strength.

It definitely looks possible.

That might be a shade high but I'd put the Flames in the top half of the West right now. Every top team has a flaw...Vancouver-goaltending, Colorado & Dallas-depth, Detroit-toughness, Calgary-scoring. The strength in the league right now is in the East...Ottawa and Philadelphia have to be #1 and #1a going into the season.

Captain Haddock · Post by **Captain Haddock** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 5:16 pm

These are the current odds as of Friday: 1 & 1a is right.. Toronto is placed way too high.

Philadelphia Flyers 4/1
Ottawa Senators 6/1
Detroit Red Wings 6/1
Colorado Avalanche 7/1
Tampa Bay Lightning 8/1
Boston Bruins 10/1
Calgary Flames 10/1
New Jersey Devils 10/1
Vancouver Canucks 12/1
Dallas Stars 12/1
Toronto Maple Leafs 15/1
San Jose Sharks 17/1
Los Angeles Kings 15/1
Pittsburgh Penguins 15/1
Edmonton Oilers 22/1
Montreal Canadiens 22/1
New York Islanders 20/1
St. Louis Blues 25/1
Nashville Predators 30/1
Chicago Blackhawks 30/1
Anaheim Mighty Ducks 30/1
Atlanta Thrashers 45/1
Florida Panthers 50/1
New York Rangers 40/1
Minnesota Wild 50/1
Phoenix Coyotes 50/1
Columbus Bluejackets 60/1
Buffalo Sabres 60/1
Carolina Hurricanes 70/1
Washington Capitals 100/1

Smoked Meat · Post by **Smoked Meat** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 11:56 pm

Captain Haddock wrote:These are the current odds as of Friday: 1 & 1a is right.. Toronto is placed way too high.

Philadelphia Flyers 4/1
Ottawa Senators 6/1
Detroit Red Wings 6/1
yada, yada, yada

As far as I'm concerned these odds are BS all the way. With the huge player movement we've witnessesd last summer who can really predict the outcome? Even the experts are scratching their head on this one. You can have shitload of good players on your team, that doesn't mean chemistry wise things will go through fine.

As for Ottawa, keep your finger crossed for Hasek.

JD · Post by JD » Tue Sep 13, 2005 3:13 am

Well, the odds are partially based on which teams are being bet on, so I wouldn't be putting a lot of stock into those anyway.

Why else would the Leafs perennially be considered one of the favourites for the Cup?

And I disagree that the Avs are a threat for the Cup. Not as long as Aebischer is their goalie, and especially now that they don't have that big secondary threat after Sakic, who is pretty old nowadays himself.

Hapday · Post by **Hapday** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 11:44 am

Smoked Meat wrote:
As far as I'm concerned these odds are BS all the way.

RACK!

Smoked Meat wrote: As for Ottawa, keep your finger crossed for Hasek.

Again, RACK!

As much as I hate to say it, Montreal should be higher than 22/1.

fix · Post by **fix** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 12:20 pm

Hapday wrote:
Smoked Meat wrote:
As far as I'm concerned these odds are BS all the way.
RACK!

Yup, RACK!

Hapday wrote:
Smoked Meat wrote: As for Ottawa, keep your finger crossed for Hasek.
Again, RACK!

Yup, Any and all Sens smack gets a RACK!

As much as I hate to say it, Montreal should be higher than 22/1.

No they shouldn't.

T1B

Are the Flames truely a cup contender???

Are the Flames truely a cup contender???

Re: Are the Flames truely a cup contender???