Easy now fella...I have much respect for Kent and his writing team, however that particular article was not well written in my opinion (which I have the right to have) and felt that his write up of the teams listed were not very accurate.

Btw, what point did I miss? That the five teams listed could be worse than the Flames? The blog stated why I disagreed with three teams listed and did not trash the writer.
- Colin Dambrauskas

Fine. I went back and read everything and I see that you weren't guaranteeing a last place finish by the Flames as I thought you'd said - point I thought you were missing was that the article was just point out whom we'll be fighting with for last place. I still think the 'poorly written' comment was unnecessary. It was very well written - if you disagree with a point, sure you're free to have you're opinion, but that doesn't make his article poorly written. That was the comment that set me off.

Fine. I went back and read everything and I see that you weren't guaranteeing a last place finish by the Flames as I thought you'd said - point I thought you were missing was that the article was just point out whom we'll be fighting with for last place. I still think the 'poorly written' comment was unnecessary. It was very well written - if you disagree with a point, sure you're free to have you're opinion, but that doesn't make his article poorly written. That was the comment that set me off.
- seve927

Fair enough, though my point wasn't grammatical, more with respect to his accuracy of each team. Still don't think my comment warranted your reaction, but hey - what the hell!

Good blog Colin... And some interesting debate here (though I'm not sure why some guys don't think it's right for you to express your opinion about an article but its ok to hear their's about yours). I'm quite content with wherever we finish though I know it won't be great. Just wanna see a good consistent hard effort and build that as an identity going forward.

Good blog Colin... And some interesting debate here (though I'm not sure why some guys don't think it's right for you to express your opinion about an article but its ok to hear their's about yours). I'm quite content with wherever we finish though I know it won't be great. Just wanna see a good consistent hard effort and build that as an identity going forward.
- scubasteve

Yeah I think most feel the same!

Fair enough, though my point wasn't grammatical, more with respect to his accuracy of each team. Still don't think my comment warranted your reaction, but hey - what the hell!
- Colin Dambrauskas

Personally, Kent is a very good writer & I enjoy mixing it up on that site but I sure didn't like throwing stones at any teams at this point. This league is about parity & any of those 5 teams could easily do better than the Flames. Put this way, I love gambling & there is no way no how I would bet $$$ on the Flames finishing ahead of any of those teams. Sorry, it's not that I'm not a Flames fan but we have so many unknowns going into this year, well, which 5 teams we should beat is just folly.

Personally, Kent is a very good writer & I enjoy mixing it up on that site but I sure didn't like throwing stones at any teams at this point. This league is about parity & any of those 5 teams could easily do better than the Flames. Put this way, I love gambling & there is no way no how I would bet $$$ on the Flames finishing ahead of any of those teams. Sorry, it's not that I'm not a Flames fan but we have so many unknowns going into this year, well, which 5 teams we should beat is just folly.
- Kevin R

Ahh. So, that was perceived as throwing stones. Ok, I get it now.

Pointing out that the Leafs had a ridiculously high ES Scoring Percentage (10.56) and is bound to regress is stating facts. The last team that had % close to that? 2009-10 Capitals, 10.36%. Ovechkin, Semin, Backstrom - you know, a high powered offense. The following year they were 7.55%. The year before they were 7.56%. They went from 3.3 G/Game to 2.3.

Power play goals were the same between the Flames and Leafs, with the Flames having a slightly better percentage. This is kind of like betting on stocks - it feels uncomfortable because you're in the minority, but you've got to look at fundamentals rather than sentiment. I would guess the Flames are a higher scoring team than the Leafs next year. I wouldn't bet the farm on it, but I'd say it's more likely than not.

Kent doesn't make ridiculous claims out of a romantic obsession with the Flames, and the acknowledgement of the very real possibility that the Leafs could finish below the Flames is purely based on the information available.

That's what bothers me about the condescending tone of this article.

Calgary might be the worst team the NHL has seen in 20 years.
- Scooby_Doo

Yeah and in a couple years, Vancouver will replace Calgary as that team, and for another 10 years like the 80's!

Flames couldnt beat most AHL teams in a best of 7
- PinkSock

Get a grip you donkey!

Ahh. So, that was perceived as throwing stones. Ok, I get it now.

Pointing out that the Leafs had a ridiculously high ES Scoring Percentage (10.56) and is bound to regress is stating facts. The last team that had % close to that? 2009-10 Capitals, 10.36%. Ovechkin, Semin, Backstrom - you know, a high powered offense. The following year they were 7.55%. The year before they were 7.56%. They went from 3.3 G/Game to 2.3.

Power play goals were the same between the Flames and Leafs, with the Flames having a slightly better percentage. This is kind of like betting on stocks - it feels uncomfortable because you're in the minority, but you've got to look at fundamentals rather than sentiment. I would guess the Flames are a higher scoring team than the Leafs next year. I wouldn't bet the farm on it, but I'd say it's more likely than not.

Kent doesn't make ridiculous claims out of a romantic obsession with the Flames, and the acknowledgement of the very real possibility that the Leafs could finish below the Flames is purely based on the information available.

That's what bothers me about the condescending tone of this article.
- seve927

I seriously doubt it....

The Leafs will have no problems scoring and have some real offensive threats which the Flames are starting to lack, unless they get some added offense from a few young faces. I would take this bet any day of the week when comparing the two current rosters.

The Flames were 26th in G/G last year, exactly what have they done to improve upon this stat? Well they moved Tanguay who contributed 27pts, lost Cervenka who added 17pts and replaced them with Jones who was good for 9pts and Galiardi who was good for 14pts.

The team got younger and grittier, making them a harder team to play against. The team will be defensive and likely play the trap often while trying to shut the opposition down...they will very likely not be scoring a lot. Common sense tells me this, don't need to look to advanced stats.

And if you want to take it a step further, the Flames continue to shop Mike Cammalleri who is their leading point getter the moment. If the day comes that he gets moved, the Flames could have some troubles finding the back of the net with such young and inexperienced faces.

**

Now I've had enough with you...please in your most humble opinion explain to me where, in any part of the article I wrote, I expressed any form of a condescending tone. Tear it apart, I welcome it because you won't find it.

I seriously doubt it....

The Leafs will have no problems scoring and have some real offensive threats which the Flames are starting to lack, unless they get some added offense from a few young faces. I would take this bet any day of the week when comparing the two current rosters.

The Flames were 26th in G/G last year, exactly what have they done to improve upon this stat? Well they moved Tanguay who contributed 27pts, lost Cervenka who added 17pts and replaced them with Jones who was good for 9pts and Galiardi who was good for 14pts.

The team got younger and grittier, making them a harder team to play against. The team will be defensive and likely play the trap often while trying to shut the opposition down...they will very likely not be scoring a lot. Common sense tells me this, don't need to look to advanced stats.

And if you want to take it a step further, the Flames continue to shop Mike Cammalleri who is their leading point getter the moment. If the day comes that he gets moved, the Flames could have some troubles finding the back of the net with such young and inexperienced faces.

**

Now I've had enough with you...please in your most humble opinion explain to me where, in any part of the article I wrote, I expressed any form of a condescending tone. Tear it apart, I welcome it because you won't find it.
- Colin Dambrauskas

Get Em Colin

Ahh. So, that was perceived as throwing stones. Ok, I get it now.

Pointing out that the Leafs had a ridiculously high ES Scoring Percentage (10.56) and is bound to regress is stating facts. The last team that had % close to that? 2009-10 Capitals, 10.36%. Ovechkin, Semin, Backstrom - you know, a high powered offense. The following year they were 7.55%. The year before they were 7.56%. They went from 3.3 G/Game to 2.3.

Power play goals were the same between the Flames and Leafs, with the Flames having a slightly better percentage. This is kind of like betting on stocks - it feels uncomfortable because you're in the minority, but you've got to look at fundamentals rather than sentiment. I would guess the Flames are a higher scoring team than the Leafs next year. I wouldn't bet the farm on it, but I'd say it's more likely than not.

Kent doesn't make ridiculous claims out of a romantic obsession with the Flames, and the acknowledgement of the very real possibility that the Leafs could finish below the Flames is purely based on the information available.

That's what bothers me about the condescending tone of this article.
- seve927

Is it ever easy to sit in the stands and throw rocks at the people doing the job...

Is it ever easy to sit in the stands and throw rocks at the people doing the job...
- bixll

Your not Colin White are you ?

Your not Colin White are you ?
- blizzzard

No, But he is a friend.

No, But he is a friend.
- bixll

Thats sweet I was shocked that the Devils out right bought him out he wasnt horrible at the time just slowed a bit after the eye injury. I thought for sure he could of been traded

Thats sweet I was shocked that the Devils out right bought him out he wasnt horrible at the time just slowed a bit after the eye injury. I thought for sure he could of been traded
- blizzzard

He is down to 20% in that eye, and it will not improve.. Sad really.

He is down to 20% in that eye, and it will not improve.. Sad really.
- bixll

Yea any injury that stops you from playing anymore is bad but one that hampers the quality of your life going forward is terrible

basement!! but its for the best in long run! kipper was the most important player relied upon for many years in cowtown and without him i dont see flames doin to well this year. even kipper couldnt get them into playoffs past few years. there roster isn't better than previous years so i think how well their goaltending does will determine wether or not they are in bottom 5 or 10. definetly not playoff bound for now.

In fairness to Iginla...the team as a whole was bad. I wouldnt single him out as even on his best day he couldnt carry that team. But let's not pretend like Iginla's presense wasnt felt amonst the rookies.
- Colin Dambrauskas

I realize they were bad last year and there's a good chance they'll be bad again, but I think there's just as good a chance they'll do better than last year.

Leadership is probably the hardest thing to comment on because who really knows what's going on everyday in practice and in the dressing room. From what I've heard Iginla wasn't much of a dressing room leader and led by example on the ice. What I saw on the ice over the last four years was an Iginla who looked disinterested more often than not and lacked the burning desire to win that we saw for the majority of the previous decade. I also think this did translate to the rest of the team. I've also heard he wasn't always to keen on fully adapting gameplans the coaches were trying to implement and when you're superstar isn't behind the coach 100% what are the younger players going to think. Granted this is all hearsay and Iginla could have been a fantastic leader behind the scenes but I kind of doubt it.

The Flames obviously can't win on talent but if someone can step into the leadership role and show that desire to win every night it could change their team mentality. I've seen impressive things out of every player on their roster, and I know it's easy to say but they just need the consistency to be a decent team.

I also don't think that finishing just out of the playoffs again would be a disaster. They'd be a young team that shows they're moving in the right direction and that's a favourable situation to be in with next year's strong free agent pool. Mid level players ready to breakout will be far more likely to want to sign with a team moving in the right direction where they think they can be an impact player. Look at this year. Players were interested in Columbus. COLUMBUS!

I realize they were bad last year and there's a good chance they'll be bad again, but I think there's just as good a chance they'll do better than last year.

Leadership is probably the hardest thing to comment on because who really knows what's going on everyday in practice and in the dressing room. From what I've heard Iginla wasn't much of a dressing room leader and led by example on the ice. What I saw on the ice over the last four years was an Iginla who looked disinterested more often than not and lacked the burning desire to win that we saw for the majority of the previous decade. I also think this did translate to the rest of the team. I've also heard he wasn't always to keen on fully adapting gameplans the coaches were trying to implement and when you're superstar isn't behind the coach 100% what are the younger players going to think. Granted this is all hearsay and Iginla could have been a fantastic leader behind the scenes but I kind of doubt it.

The Flames obviously can't win on talent but if someone can step into the leadership role and show that desire to win every night it could change their team mentality. I've seen impressive things out of every player on their roster, and I know it's easy to say but they just need the consistency to be a decent team.

I also don't think that finishing just out of the playoffs again would be a disaster. They'd be a young team that shows they're moving in the right direction and that's a favourable situation to be in with next year's strong free agent pool. Mid level players ready to breakout will be far more likely to want to sign with a team moving in the right direction where they think they can be an impact player. Look at this year. Players were interested in Columbus. COLUMBUS!
- Hunkulese

Good solid post

- RickJames77

I seriously doubt it....

The Leafs will have no problems scoring and have some real offensive threats which the Flames are starting to lack, unless they get some added offense from a few young faces. I would take this bet any day of the week when comparing the two current rosters.

The Flames were 26th in G/G last year, exactly what have they done to improve upon this stat? Well they moved Tanguay who contributed 27pts, lost Cervenka who added 17pts and replaced them with Jones who was good for 9pts and Galiardi who was good for 14pts.

The team got younger and grittier, making them a harder team to play against. The team will be defensive and likely play the trap often while trying to shut the opposition down...they will very likely not be scoring a lot. Common sense tells me this, don't need to look to advanced stats.

And if you want to take it a step further, the Flames continue to shop Mike Cammalleri who is their leading point getter the moment. If the day comes that he gets moved, the Flames could have some troubles finding the back of the net with such young and inexperienced faces.

**

Now I've had enough with you...please in your most humble opinion explain to me where, in any part of the article I wrote, I expressed any form of a condescending tone. Tear it apart, I welcome it because you won't find it.
- Colin Dambrauskas

Colin,

Apologies for my comments yesterday - I wouldn't say that to anybody's face, quite cowardly of me to post it on a blog. I was home sick and feeling a little tired and cranky I guess. Sincere apologies.

I still do find it patronizing portraying the story as a pathetic pom-pom waving Flames fan proclaiming they'd be better than a list of 5 teams. Whether you intend it that way or not, that's what I get from it. The article was "Flames are bad, who has a chance to be worse", not "Flames are better than all these teams". You appeared to be responding to the latter, which I find to be patronizing, and to miss the point. So that's my explanation without any name calling.

I do believe the Leafs will be very bad this year. Good point on Cammalleri likely being dealt. Baertschi would be a good bet to replace Tanguay's points, he generated points at a far greater pace than Tanguay (2.2/60 to 1.69). He will likely get a lot of minutes, and lots on the power play, and no fourth line duty, so I think it's a fair expectation for him. Backlund would need to take another step forward as well, which I believe is a fair expectation.

The Leafs are pursuing a Stanley Cup. The Flames are pursuing a first overall pick. The Leafs are much more likely to foil the Flames than vice-versa. I think the Flames are a mediocre to poor team, but solid enough to stay out of the bottom 5, with decent goaltending. The Leafs to me are much more volatile. They could make the playoffs again, but they could also finish dead last, with some bad goaltending.

Good solid post
- Colin Dambrauskas

You pompous jerk!

....how come you never say that to me????!?!?!?!

Why would u compare Toronto to the flames. What they are doing is what Calgary should be doing.If theydidn t land on their faces in game seven. They could have easily gone two more rounds

Buffalo and florida have the only chance finishing worse than flames.
- kovey27

Yeah im not quite sure why the Panthers or Avs weren't in this discussion..?