one year ago everyone was saying SJ sucked...now they are a lock lol

Calgary could certainly finish above LA...who knows, they did the season before last with a much worse lineup
- flashfire

They ended up blowing some important games to bad teams that season. The game they lost to Edmonton near the end was a stinker.

Maybe they'll sh!t the bed again.. They looked pretty damn good last year though.

I still think Calgary is a top 6 winger and 1 top 4 D away from a playoff spot.

I still think Calgary is a top 6 winger and 1 top 4 D away from a playoff spot.
- DuranDuran

Finally some sense in the thread. I personally think Van is in a similar situation. Need a top 6 LW and a top 4 D to make a splash. But Calgary is young and looking good. Gio hasn't been the same since his injury...

I think CAL and VAN both finish behind EDM this year…wherever that may be.

Finally some sense in the thread. I personally think Van is in a similar situation. Need a top 6 LW and a top 4 D to make a splash. But Calgary is young and looking good. Gio hasn't been the same since his injury...

I think CAL and VAN both finish behind EDM this year…wherever that may be.
- LordHumungous

If you think offence alone can carry Edmonton past Calgary and Vancouver, you need to give your head a shake.

Explain to me how a lottery team who traded their best winger(player?) for a middling defenseman can automatically jump up the standings like that? Adding Lucic might help , the jury is out on whether he can ever come close to reaching his peak career production ever again.

McDavid can't carry the entire load, and the last time I checked he isn't a number one D.

Calgary has better D, better G, and a competitive F core that has great C depth, and if we can get him inked, one of the top wingers in the entire NHL.

As for Van? I apologize to Nicks fans, but they have a TON of work to do in order to improve, so much so, that even considering typing all of them out gives me a hand cramp as painful as my bloody Hemmieroidsies!!

I still think Calgary is a top 6 winger and 1 top 4 D away from a playoff spot.
- DuranDuran

I think a top 6 RW is our missing piece to get out of round1. D I think we're pretty good....charlie coyle I tell ya, or a cheap nichuskin after some time in khl

dh/brodie/gio <---very solid
wides is on a pp front. so that covers half that role. Joki I think we're going to see a big confidence boost after the worlds, sure he didn't play alot. But it will be a good mental boost. Also really hope that they sign JG, and then grab nak.

a 4th position that use players like nak/wides/joki/england splitting alot of time and keeping them fresh will help alot. Although our 4th spot is weak, 5/6 isn't as bad as other teams (and add in some youth like spoon, morrisey, kulak)

If you think offence alone can carry Edmonton past Calgary and Vancouver, you need to give your head a shake.

Explain to me how a lottery team who traded their best winger(player?) for a middling defenseman can automatically jump up the standings like that? Adding Lucic might help , the jury is out on whether he can ever come close to reaching his peak career production ever again.

McDavid can't carry the entire load, and the last time I checked he isn't a number one D.

Calgary has better D, better G, and a competitive F core that has great C depth, and if we can get him inked, one of the top wingers in the entire NHL.

As for Van? I apologize to Nicks fans, but they have a TON of work to do in order to improve, so much so, that even considering typing all of them out gives me a hand cramp as painful as my bloody Hemmieroidsies!!
- Misterbator

sedins looked slow against N.america.......the oiler/flames/colorado speed is going to hurt there.

Finally some sense in the thread. I personally think Van is in a similar situation. Need a top 6 LW and a top 4 D to make a splash. But Calgary is young and looking good. Gio hasn't been the same since his injury...

I think CAL and VAN both finish behind EDM this year…wherever that may be.
- LordHumungous

van needs 3 top 4 d. Tanev is about the best you have right now. Thats the biggest pain there....also been the issue for a few years playing guys like hamuis/beiksa above the positions they should be.

Feel sorry for you guys, I think you're going to feel like the flames did for the last decade. Virt/Horvat I think are great players, and granlund I think the flames will miss (but was a saturated position). But that D corps is going to make it a slow go for a few years.

If you think offence alone can carry Edmonton past Calgary and Vancouver, you need to give your head a shake.

Explain to me how a lottery team who traded their best winger(player?) for a middling defenseman can automatically jump up the standings like that? Adding Lucic might help , the jury is out on whether he can ever come close to reaching his peak career production ever again.

McDavid can't carry the entire load, and the last time I checked he isn't a number one D.

Calgary has better D, better G, and a competitive F core that has great C depth, and if we can get him inked, one of the top wingers in the entire NHL.

As for Van? I apologize to Nicks fans, but they have a TON of work to do in order to improve, so much so, that even considering typing all of them out gives me a hand cramp as painful as my bloody Hemmieroidsies!!
- Misterbator

Fair points but I do see EDM only one top 4 D away from the WC spot. We'll see.

Fair points but I do see EDM only one top 4 D away from the WC spot. We'll see.

- LordHumungous

We shall see indeed!!!

Finally some sense in the thread. I personally think Van is in a similar situation. Need a top 6 LW and a top 4 D to make a splash. But Calgary is young and looking good. Gio hasn't been the same since his injury...

I think CAL and VAN both finish behind EDM this year…wherever that may be.
- LordHumungous

If the Bennett line can produce some offence then the flames could have be 3 scoring lines ...3 40-50 point d men ...plus the goaltending should be better ...adding a top 6 winger and a top 4 d could make them more than a possible playoff team

Gio has been the same ...I think he had more goals than you entire D core last year

Finally some sense in the thread. I personally think Van is in a similar situation. Need a top 6 LW and a top 4 D to make a splash. But Calgary is young and looking good. Gio hasn't been the same since his injury...

I think CAL and VAN both finish behind EDM this year…wherever that may be.
- LordHumungous

As usual, you come in here having no idea what you're talking about. Gio had a career year last year, dumbass.

Fair points but I do see EDM only one top 4 D away from the WC title. We'll see.

- LordHumungous

Fixed that for you Tanner

In all seriousness Van could surprise. They have a ton of vets, I just think their back end is going to be way too porous. Edmonton lost a lot by trading Hall, I dont see why anyone thinks Lucic is an equal replacement. Hes already in decline. Calgary might get 4th in the Pacific, but I think they may still be on the outside with 5 spots going to the Central. My hope is Anaheim freefalls, which they may, making the division much more interesting than in years past. In 2-3 yrs I think AZ EDM CAL replace the Cali teams are perennial top division teams. Sleeping giants them all. Vancouver is going to regret their approach by then. But I wont say they have no shot at the WC...this year. They do, if Miller has a resurgent year and the D plays above its talent. The forward group is quite solid, and deeper than Calgary's (unless Bennett takes the next step).

Fixed that for you Tanner

In all seriousness Van could surprise. They have a ton of vets, I just think their back end is going to be way too porous. Edmonton lost a lot by trading Hall, I dont see why anyone thinks Lucic is an equal replacement. Hes already in decline. Calgary might get 4th in the Pacific, but I think they may still be on the outside with 5 spots going to the Central. My hope is Anaheim freefalls, which they may, making the division much more interesting than in years past. In 2-3 yrs I think AZ EDM CAL replace the Cali teams are perennial top division teams. Sleeping giants them all. Vancouver is going to regret their approach by then. But I wont say they have no shot at the WC...this year. They do, if Miller has a resurgent year and the D plays above its talent. The forward group is quite solid, and deeper than Calgary's (unless Bennett takes the next step).
- FLflames34

How exactly is Lucic already in decline ?

How exactly is Lucic already in decline ?
- Reveen.

http://canucksarmy.com/20...gent-profiles-milan-lucic

van needs 3 top 4 d. Tanev is about the best you have right now. Thats the biggest pain there....also been the issue for a few years playing guys like hamuis/beiksa above the positions they should be.

Feel sorry for you guys, I think you're going to feel like the flames did for the last decade. Virt/Horvat I think are great players, and granlund I think the flames will miss (but was a saturated position). But that D corps is going to make it a slow go for a few years.
- numbear

Hutton, gudbranson and Edler all would be top 4 dmen on the flames but on the canucks they aren't?

Hamhuis was playing above his position for years? He was a member of the Olympic team 2 years ago.

If you think that Hutton and gudbranson are slow you haven't seen them play.

http://canucksarmy.com/2016/5/29/canucks-army-free-agent-profiles-milan-lucic
- FLflames34

He's coming off of a 55 point season playing for an offensively challenged LA Kings team. I fail to see how that a decline.

Hutton, gudbranson and Edler all would be top 4 dmen on the flames but on the canucks they aren't?

Hamhuis was playing above his position for years? He was a member of the Olympic team 2 years ago.

If you think that Hutton and gudbranson are slow you haven't seen them play.
- coryberg2

Gudbrnason is a bottom pairing d-man and Hutton is unproven. They wouldn't sniff the top four in Calgary.

He's coming off of a 55 point season playing for an offensively challenged LA Kings team. I fail to see how that a decline.
- Reveen.

The argumenrt is attrition combined with the overpay. I expect him to be good for the first 2 years, but once they are ready to contend annually they will miss Hall a lot more than having a wore down Lucic and a suspect 1D (at more money).

The argumenrt is attrition combined with the overpay. I expect him to be good for the first 2 years, but once they are ready to contend annually they will miss Hall a lot more than having a wore down Lucic and a suspect 1D (at more money).
- FLflames34

His contract wasn't an overpay, however the term is about two years too long. You said he was already in the decline which has nothing to do with the contract he got from Edmonton.

Milan Lucic will be the same age as David Backes is now when he enters year five of his contract with the Oilers. Both are similar players and Backes is still quite effective.

His contract wasn't an overpay, however the term is about two years too long. You said he was already in the decline which has nothing to do with the contract he got from Edmonton.

Milan Lucic will be the same age as David Backes is now when he enters year five of his contract with the Oilers. Both are similar players and Backes is still quite effective.
- Reveen.

I actually happen to like Lucic the player. It seemed like he came on strong at the end of last year, but his last season in Boston and the first part of his tenure with LA seemed to be a decline. We will see, but I expect a similar player in Edmonton. Hopefully for you he at least least stays level through the first 3 yrs. For now he is still a 1LW.

Hutton, gudbranson and Edler all would be top 4 dmen on the flames but on the canucks they aren't?

Hamhuis was playing above his position for years? He was a member of the Olympic team 2 years ago.

If you think that Hutton and gudbranson are slow you haven't seen them play.
- coryberg2

Hutton is a 5-6 on any respectable team. Gudbranson took bad penalties and brought absolutely nothing two nights ago at the dome. He's garbage and you guys gave up a huge amount for him.

Edler would be awesome to have as a #4.

His contract wasn't an overpay, however the term is about two years too long. You said he was already in the decline which has nothing to do with the contract he got from Edmonton.

Milan Lucic will be the same age as David Backes is now when he enters year five of his contract with the Oilers. Both are similar players and Backes is still quite effective.
- Reveen.

Here's hoping for a Ferland/Lucic fight game 1!

Hutton is a 5-6 on any respectable team. Gudbranson took bad penalties and brought absolutely nothing two nights ago at the dome. He's garbage and you guys gave up a huge amount for him.

Edler would be awesome to have as a #4.
- fry

I can't wait for Gudbranson to sign for 6 years 5.5 mil in Vancouver

Here's hoping for a Ferland/Lucic fight game 1!


- fry

Hutton, gudbranson and Edler all would be top 4 dmen on the flames but on the canucks they aren't?

Hamhuis was playing above his position for years? He was a member of the Olympic team 2 years ago.

If you think that Hutton and gudbranson are slow you haven't seen them play.
- coryberg2

Gio Brodie Hamilton say hi