The first 10-15 games will determine our fate this year and in the future. Slow start = slow death... sad as it is, I think this will be a long, shortened season...
I think the shortened season will work towards the advantage of the Flames. A couple of nice winning streaks coupled with overall slightly-above-average play should see them into the playoffs, and that seems an attainable goal. Organizational rust/confusion will be an issue early on, but you've gotta think that Iggy and Kipper know that time is not exactly their friend... they will play with urgency and desire, and will hopefully inspire the roster as a whole to play at a level above that of most of the individual components.
It would be great to see this old core get another kick at the can.
Location: E5 = It aint gonna happen. Joined: 02.10.2010
Jan 7 @ 4:59 PM ET
I think the shortened season will work towards the advantage of the Flames. A couple of nice winning streaks coupled with overall slightly-above-average play should see them into the playoffs, and that seems an attainable goal. Organizational rust/confusion will be an issue early on, but you've gotta think that Iggy and Kipper know that time is not exactly their friend... they will play with urgency and desire, and will hopefully inspire the roster as a whole to play at a level above that of most of the individual components.
It would be great to see this old core get another kick at the can. - thefullnelson
That would be the assumption. But if we come out of the gate 0-3, the fragility of older stars & a new coach can appear very quickly. I think a match with the Oilers for the opener is excellent. If we win, what a boost after all the hype the young Oiler guns have been getting during the summer & lockout & WJC. A loss & a solid ass- kicking could set this rollercoaster off the rails so quick & that may not be such a bad thing in a shortened season as well. I'm sure Feaster is going to be really depending on Hartley's evaluation of the player assets that will determine what happens at the trade deadline.
That would be the assumption. But if we come out of the gate 0-3, the fragility of older stars & a new coach can appear very quickly. I think a match with the Oilers for the opener is excellent. If we win, what a boost after all the hype the young Oiler guns have been getting during the summer & lockout & WJC. A loss & a solid ass- kicking could set this rollercoaster off the rails so quick & that may not be such a bad thing in a shortened season as well. I'm sure Feaster is going to be really depending on Hartley's evaluation of the player assets that will determine what happens at the trade deadline. - Kevin R
I think a match with the Oilers to start the season off is perfect! Nice easy win to get the rust off and gain some confidence!
I think a match with the Oilers to start the season off is perfect! Nice easy win to get the rust off and gain some confidence! - Colin Dambrauskas
I don't think playing the Oilers is an easy win. I bet the Oilers come out flying since they are young and all their players were playing during the lockout. I wouldn't be too surprised if they made the playoffs.
Location: Oil Tycoon is actually a Flame, AB Joined: 01.29.2007
Jan 7 @ 5:08 PM ET
I don't think playing the Oilers is an easy win. I bet the Oilers come out flying since they are young and all their players were playing during the lockout. I wouldn't be too surprised if they made the playoffs. - canuckssuck9
Location: E5 = It aint gonna happen. Joined: 02.10.2010
Jan 7 @ 5:18 PM ET
I think a match with the Oilers to start the season off is perfect! Nice easy win to get the rust off and gain some confidence! - Colin Dambrauskas
Well that would be a good scenario and look at the good trolling we could do on Cloutier posts & he could stick that 2nd rounder & meh prospect for JBO up his arse.
I don't think playing the Oilers is an easy win. I bet the Oilers come out flying since they are young and all their players were playing during the lockout. I wouldn't be too surprised if they made the playoffs. - canuckssuck9
Actually, I see the Oil as an easy win for dedicated trap teams (ie Minnesota) and for strong, aggressive teams (ie Boston). However, I expect that, as the season progresses, Edmonton will need less and less in the way of errors made by their opponents to be able to turn on the jets and scorch a team for 3 goals in 5 minutes. Also, if Dubnyk hits the ground running and gives us, say, 30 Quality Starts....? We're going to the Playoffs, son! Probably! Maybe! Hopefully!
Location: The man they call Reveen!! Joined: 01.06.2010
Jan 7 @ 5:20 PM ET
Well that would be a good scenario and look at the good trolling we could do on Cloutier posts & he could stick that 2nd rounder & meh prospect for JBO up his arse. - Kevin R
I don't think playing the Oilers is an easy win. I bet the Oilers come out flying since they are young and all their players were playing during the lockout. I wouldn't be too surprised if they made the playoffs. - canuckssuck9
For the Flames, on the first night of the season, playing the Oil (who were a very good home team last year) when all of Edmonton's glass cannons are in mid-season form and Dubnyk is coming off a confidence-building performance at the Spengler Cup, that is a tough game to win.
If I was Calgary, I'd want Vancouver first. Take on Goliath before he gets warmed up, so to speak. A win there would be a good confidence builder and start the season off with a bang.
For the Flames, on the first night of the season, playing the Oil (who were a very good home team last year) when all of Edmonton's glass cannons are in mid-season form and Dubnyk is coming off a confidence-building performance at the Spengler Cup, that is a tough game to win.
If I was Calgary, I'd want Vancouver first. Take on Goliath before he gets warmed up, so to speak. A win there would be a good confidence builder and start the season off with a bang. - thefullnelson
Location: E5 = It aint gonna happen. Joined: 02.10.2010
Jan 7 @ 5:34 PM ET
Hey Kev, how are things dude?
Hope you had a great Christmas and New Year. - whipper334
Awesome Whip! Business was slow so played lots of poker on line & at casino. Didnt win piss all but was fun. Starting to get busier now but I think thats probably a good thing for me now How about yourself?
Stupid Indianapolis screwed my point spread on the weekend, I figured Baltimore would win but I thought Indy would have covered the 6.5 spread. Bastards!
I'm thinking Denver, New England, GreenBay & I like Seattle over Atlanta. Just a gut feeling.
Looks like we got some fun discussions coming this year, maybe Rink will come out of the woodwork.
How was Christmas and New Years dude? - whipper334
Good-spent a bunch of time at my place in BC. got hitched (again-glutton for punishment). Boycotted anything hockey (outside my kids) till a deal was done... now that the NHL is back i can continue to come here and suck the life out of my productivity at work!!! You?
Location: The man they call Reveen!! Joined: 01.06.2010
Jan 7 @ 5:43 PM ET
Good-spent a bunch of time at my place in BC. got hitched (again-glutton for punishment). Boycotted anything hockey (outside my kids) till a deal was done... now that the NHL is back i can continue to come here and suck the life out of my productivity at work!!! You? - geta02it
Location: The man they call Reveen!! Joined: 01.06.2010
Jan 7 @ 5:45 PM ET
Awesome Whip! Business was slow so played lots of poker on line & at casino. Didnt win piss all but was fun. Starting to get busier now but I think thats probably a good thing for me now How about yourself?
Stupid Indianapolis screwed my point spread on the weekend, I figured Baltimore would win but I thought Indy would have covered the 6.5 spread. Bastards!
I'm thinking Denver, New England, GreenBay & I like Seattle over Atlanta. Just a gut feeling.
Looks like we got some fun discussions coming this year, maybe Rink will come out of the woodwork. - Kevin R
I'm a Niner fan...
Things are good. Looking forward to hockey again, just not too sure how the Flames will fair.
Like you mentioned, the Flames are notorious for slow starts, hence why the short season really concerns me. Not like they are really strong finishers anyway though.....who knows?!
and look at the good trolling we could do on Cloutier posts 
