That's understandable, but this yr is diff, as long as healthy goaltending won't be an issue this yr. Backup is even a better opinion than last yrs duo.
- hockey_talk079

I'm not saying that Smith and Lack can't get it done, they could. But I think this duo has many of the same issues as our duo last year (consistency being the biggest issue).


Also, Johnson was/is considered one of the better back-ups in the game---don't really see Lack as much of an upgrade.

I'm not saying that Smith and Lack can't get it done, they could. But I think this duo has many of the same issues as our duo last year (consistency being the biggest issue).


Also, Johnson was/is considered one of the better back-ups in the game---don't really see Lack as much of an upgrade.
- Saskabush

I am hoping both these guys have career years.

I think Smith is pretty much Brian Elliott 2.0. They are interchangeable for the most part. Just need to play good defense in front of either and they will take you far.

Not sure why they didn't just stick with KidElls...
- cuethenoise

Well really this was the nail...

Why didn't the blues ? He was better than Allen ....
- Redmile247

haha not really. Nice try though. Allen has a way higher ceiling. He is still young. Wasn't talking trash just saying they are both decent goalies and Elliott is only 32 Smith is 35 and more expensive. Seems like a bad move.

Did you guys even see Allen after they fired Hitch? His sv% was like 95% the rest of the year.

I was just reading on tsn what Capitals are paying EVGENY KUZNETSOV, a 7.8mm cap hit per year that is crazy if you ask me. I think it goes to show how lucky we are to have Monahan signed to a cap friendly long term deal.
- FlamesFan1230

Not slagging monahan at all when I say I think kuznetzov is the better player. Mony's hella good, but I think kuz is one of the leagues most talented players and will be worth every penny of that deal. That said, mony IS worth every penny of his deal

Not slagging monahan at all when I say I think kuznetzov is the better player. Mony's hella good, but I think kuz is one of the leagues most talented players and will be worth every penny of that deal. That said, mony IS worth every penny of his deal
- HB77

He's a great player but give me a Canadian Monahan any day!

I'm not saying that Smith and Lack can't get it done, they could. But I think this duo has many of the same issues as our duo last year (consistency being the biggest issue).


Also, Johnson was/is considered one of the better back-ups in the game---don't really see Lack as much of an upgrade.
- Saskabush

The upgrade is in the cap hit, look at what Buff signed him up for versus the Mill+ for Lack.

Smith has been inconsistent, but he's been playing behind one of the worst defense groups in the league. Even with next to no support, he's put up a couple of fantastic years.

As much as I hate to say it, the Flames are legit.
That defense is getting scary, and it's going to allow the young forward group to run wild and not have to worry too much about making mistakes.

The battle of Alberta is back. The three California teams are in the decline and it's basically an arms race in AB for the foreseeable future to see who comes out on top in the Pacific.
- Vanoxy

I am interested in how the top 6 in the Pacific shake out next year. Yotes aren't that far off either.

Looking forward to the CA decline, but may be another year or two before it is fully realized.

I am interested in how the top 6 in the Pacific shake out next year. Yotes aren't that far off either.

Looking forward to the CA decline, but may be another year or two before it is fully realized.
- FLflames34

On Paper we can contend. But the season is dark and full of terrors.

What are the uncertainties that need to go our way?

Ferland on the top line?
Goaltending consistency?
The 3rd line production (finding who can get Bennett going)?
Brouwer having a bounce back season?
Hathaway on the power play?

I realize every team has some question marks but in the end I think the first 3 have to be sorted for us to make some real noise.

haha not really. Nice try though. Allen has a way higher ceiling. He is still young. Wasn't talking trash just saying they are both decent goalies and Elliott is only 32 Smith is 35 and more expensive. Seems like a bad move.

Did you guys even see Allen after they fired Hitch? His sv% was like 95% the rest of the year.
- cuethenoise

So the blues picked a younger goalie over Elliott ...flames have a couple young guys who probably project to Be as good if not better than Allen ...theyjust need someone to bridge the gap ...Elliott let them down in the playoffs so they went after someone else ...hos she doesn't matter as Neither Elliott or smith are long term solutions

On Paper we can contend. But the season is dark and full of terrors.

What are the uncertainties that need to go our way?

Ferland on the top line?
Goaltending consistency?
The 3rd line production (finding who can get Bennett going)?
Brouwer having a bounce back season?
Hathaway on the power play?

I realize every team has some question marks but in the end I think the first 3 have to be sorted for us to make some real noise.
- DuranDuran

You attacked that topic with violence, speed, and momentum. I like it.

On Paper we can contend. But the season is dark and full of terrors.

What are the uncertainties that need to go our way?

Ferland on the top line?
Goaltending consistency?
The 3rd line production (finding who can get Bennett going)?
Brouwer having a bounce back season?
Hathaway on the power play?

I realize every team has some question marks but in the end I think the first 3 have to be sorted for us to make some real noise.
- DuranDuran

Just put a couple dragons on the roof of the dome, and inject Smith's heart with a dragonglass spear.

Done and done!

On Paper we can contend. But the season is dark and full of terrors.

What are the uncertainties that need to go our way?

Ferland on the top line?
Goaltending consistency?
The 3rd line production (finding who can get Bennett going)?
Brouwer having a bounce back season?
Hathaway on the power play?

I realize every team has some question marks but in the end I think the first 3 have to be sorted for us to make some real noise.
- DuranDuran

Bit of a jerk aren't ya'?

With the news that the AHL will allow players to participate in the Olympics, who has the best chance to represent there country and the Flames?

With the news that the AHL will allow players to participate in the Olympics, who has the best chance to represent there country and the Flames?
- Yeah...Baby

I can't think of anyone other than maybe Andersson. Is Kylington still on Sweden's pooplist? Even those two are probably long-shots. The Olympics may be without a Flames representative.

I can't think of anyone other than maybe Andersson. Is Kylington still on Sweden's pooplist? Even those two are probably long-shots. The Olympics may be without a Flames representative.
- Ol_Boy_Wop

Why is kylington on swedens poop list ?

I can't think of anyone other than maybe Andersson. Is Kylington still on Sweden's pooplist? Even those two are probably long-shots. The Olympics may be without a Flames representative.
- Ol_Boy_Wop

I wonder if Tyler Parsons would have a shot?

Why is kylington on swedens poop list ?
- Redmile247

Didn't he not make the World Juniors a few years ago and the media reported that he didn't make it because Sweden's national team/coaching staff had a problem with him?

I'm probably making that up. I'm a few Crowns in, boys.

Didn't he not make the World Juniors a few years ago and the media reported that he didn't make it because Sweden's national team/coaching staff had a problem with him?

I'm probably making that up. I'm a few Crowns in, boys.
- Ol_Boy_Wop

You're right that he was snubbed a year. Some pretty questionable defensemen got picked ahead of him after his draft year.

Bit of a jerk aren't ya'?
- TandA4Flames

Common sense probably has Versteeg there.

If those are the only uncertainties we're dealing with; we should be pretty good this year.

I am hoping both these guys have career years.
- DuranDuran

Me too! I wasn't big on Smith to begin with, but maybe BT thought the dressing room needed some more fire in it. Smith really hates to lose.We could have probably used a little more of that mentality for some stretches last year.

On Paper we can contend. But the season is dark and full of terrors.

What are the uncertainties that need to go our way?

Ferland on the top line?
Goaltending consistency?
The 3rd line production (finding who can get Bennett going)?
Brouwer having a bounce back season?
Hathaway on the power play?

I realize every team has some question marks but in the end I think the first 3 have to be sorted for us to make some real noise.
- DuranDuran

This actually made me laugh Solid post

I can't think of anyone other than maybe Andersson. Is Kylington still on Sweden's pooplist? Even those two are probably long-shots. The Olympics may be without a Flames representative.
- Ol_Boy_Wop

Sounds like mason Raymond might be there... since well still be paying him... maybe he's kind of a flames rep?

Sounds like mason Raymond might be there... since well still be paying him... maybe he's kind of a flames rep?
- I miss Kipper

Dustin Boyd and Nigel Dawes got cleared to represent Kazakstan about two years ago.

Sounds like mason Raymond might be there... since well still be paying him... maybe he's kind of a flames rep?
- I miss Kipper

Only players on AHL only contracts can go. Someone on a two-way or being burried on a NHL contract are not eligible.