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Calgary Flames: Three Reasons Why They'll Be Bottom Feeders

August 18, 2013, 10:43 AM ET [31 Comments]
Todd Cordell
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
You can follow Todd on Twitter @ToddCordell!

The NHL season has yet to begin but it doesn't take any games to know that the Calgary Flames will not be very good this season.

As a matter of fact, I'm inclined to believe they'll be among the 3-5 worst teams in hockey and could be in a position to pick 1st overall next June.

Here's why the Flames will be bottom feeders again this season:

Goaltending

I think Karri Ramo will be better this season than during his last stint in the NHL, but I don't think he's going to be anything more than an average goaltender. Joey MacDonald isn't going to steal you any games and Reto Berra's still an unknown quantity, so I don't think there's much optimism for the Flames in net.

I know Miikka Kiprusoff had a poor season last year, but if the Flames were among the worst teams in hockey with him between the pipes, I don't think things will get any better this season.

Too many holes

When you look at the Flames roster, there's simply too many holes on the team to expect them to compete this season. They have some good wingers but they're going to be used on make shift lines and thrown all over the place so that could end up being a disaster. They're very shallow up the middle, they need a top-4 defenseman or two and their goaltending isn't looking to good, either.

I don't like to count out teams before the season begins, but I really feel as the Flames have way too many holes to overcome and make anything of their season. Best case scenario the Flames are picking about where they were last year, and considering they're in the middle of a rebuild, that could be a bad scenario. I don't believe in tanking, but I think the Flames are bad enough that they could grab a top-3 pick without doing so. That's probably a good thing, as they need another cornerstone piece or two to build their team around.

Their division

Another reason why the Flames are going to be crushed on a regular basis this season: their division. They get to go toe-to-toe with the likes of the Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks and Vancouver Canucks on a regular basis and it's going to end poorly more often than not.

Heck, even the Edmonton Oilers are on the rise and the Phoenix Coyotes should be better this year than last, so it's not looking to good for the Flames.

It'll be a long season for the Flames no matter what happens, so they should at least use the 82 games they have to continue to develop their young guns like Sven Baerstchi, T.J. Brodie, etc. in hopes they can turn into stars.

**

Where will the Flames finish in the Pacific Division/a>?

Who should be the Flames next captain?

Aaron Ekblad, anyone?

Comparing Mark Giordano to other power play defenseman.

Who will lead the Flames in defensive scoring?

Calgary Flames sign college free agent Josh Jooris.

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