I'm interested to know what a Calgary fan thinks about this. Well?
- pker2theend

I think 8-10
- VANTEL

I think that's reasonable, I don't see us as worse than last year, but I don't see us better. I think all the changes in the Western Conference and especially in the Pacific end up being a wash for everyone. I don't see a team that's so significantly improved that they'll be significantly better than they were last year.

Dude, you in for the pool this year? Deadline to join was yesterday but I really prefer to keep the same guys in it just to make it more fun.
- Nucker101

YES!!! Sorry man. I moved two weeks ago and still dont have cable or internet. Lucky its slow at work today to check in with the boys......


Can you PM the info?

I think that's reasonable, I don't see us as worse than last year, but I don't see us better. I think all the changes in the Western Conference and especially in the Pacific end up being a wash for everyone. I don't see a team that's so significantly improved that they'll be significantly better than they were last year.
- DariusKnight

I'll say 9th or 10th. Outside of the Twins and the PK, this team doesn't really have any strengths.

Veys offense has proving to be effective. But back checking and anything else on the defensive side of the game has be horrid.

honestly, I dont know how he has a spot on the opening night roster. Which Im pretty sure he does.

Hes go good release on his shot. But other than a ppSpecialist, I dont see how he fits in with this team.....
- vancity787

I am curios to see if he shines in 3 on 3

YES!!! Sorry man. I moved two weeks ago and still dont have cable or internet. Lucky its slow at work today to check in with the boys......


Can you PM the info?
- vancity787

This lecture ends in about 20 mins so I'll send you the info then.

I am curios to see if he shines in 3 on 3
- VANTEL

He may not see the ice, it's only a few minutes and there's 3 centers ahead of him.

Seems like the majority are expecting a finish between 8-10 in the West. There's some optimists who are predicting a 5/6/7 finish or some who think it'll be a total disaster.
- Nucker101

I don't think it will be a total disaster - provided miller/sedins don't get hurt. Should be decent but not great. Id say 8th.

He may not see the ice, it's only a few minutes and there's 3 centers ahead of him.
- Nucker101

I am not sure if the twins will be too slow for 3 on 3

Seems like the majority are expecting a finish between 8-10 in the West. There's some optimists who are predicting a 5/6/7 finish or some who think it'll be a total disaster.
- Nucker101

I don't know where they'll finish position wise, because if history tells us anything, a lot can happen during an 82 game schedule....slumps, injuries, hot streaks, unbelievable rookie performances etc. etc.

What I do predict is they'll finish with around a mid 90's point total. I don't know where that'll get them, but most likely a bubble team. Far from a top five draft pick I guess is what I'm saying.

All of this is fair and makes sense but it doesn't mean that Benning is choosing the right players to build a team with. The criticism true or false has been that people don't agree with the players he values ( or the price he pays for them) as either a stop gap or long term solution.

Personally I would rather this team to continue to compete even if that means barely missing some years. I would also be stoked to see him stockpile draft picks over stockpiling high priced "character" because I disagree with the idea that the latter is more important to the former when building a team.

This isn't me taking an opportunity to get back into the same debates rehashed all off-season, but pointing out that is where the criticism has come from, at least from me and I think others as well. I think there is a greater population frustrated with his player choices opposed to his plan or refusal to tank.
- belcherbd

The time for stock piling draft picks is coming... look at all the expiring contracts over the next 2 or 3 seasons. People want it sooner than that...unrealistically.

I am not sure if the twins will be too slow for 3 on 3
- VANTEL

That will be interesting to see. They are puck possesion masters. But 3 on 3 may be a little too much for them

I don't know where they'll finish position wise, because if history tells us anything, a lot can happen during an 82 game schedule....slumps, injuries, hot streaks, unbelievable rookie performances etc. etc.

What I do predict is they'll finish with around a mid 90's point total. I don't know where that'll get them, but most likely a bubble team. Far from a top five draft pick I guess is what I'm saying.
- LeftCoaster

Basically what the consensus predicts then, no?

I am not sure if the twins will be too slow for 3 on 3
- VANTEL

Feast or famine, once they get the puck it'll be hard to strip them of it but when the other team gets it..probably a 3-on-1 or breakaway the other way.

Dude, you in for the pool this year? Deadline to join was yesterday but I really prefer to keep the same guys in it just to make it more fun.
- Nucker101

I haven't been in the pool for a couple years now. I'll probably be pretty busy again and get kicked out to be honest.

The time for stock piling draft picks is coming... look at all the expiring contracts over the next 2 or 3 seasons. People want it sooner than that...unrealistically.
- boonerbuck

Possibly, I'm not so sure we unload guys on expiring contracts unless we are completely out of it and I don't think we will be completely out of it.

If a young player forces himself on the roster, then some of the tweener will go but I think Vrbata/Hamhuis will be too important to the playoff push for mgmt to move them.

I haven't been in the pool for a couple years now. I'll probably be pretty busy again and get kicked out to be honest.
- pker2theend

Too bad. McJesus was all yours if you joined.

Basically what the consensus predicts then, no?
- Nucker101

Generally speaking...yes. But that's only a six point difference from last year, which means a pretty good season.

Possibly, I'm not so sure we unload guys on expiring contracts unless we are completely out of it and I don't think we will be completely out of it.

If a young player forces himself on the roster, then some of the tweener will go but I think Vrbata/Hamhuis will be too important to the playoff push for mgmt to move them.
- belcherbd

This.

Too bad. McJesus was all yours if you joined.
- Nucker101

For whatever reason I thought you quoted me

Possibly, I'm not so sure we unload guys on expiring contracts unless we are completely out of it and I don't think we will be completely out of it.

If a young player forces himself on the roster, then some of the tweener will go but I think Vrbata/Hamhuis will be too important to the playoff push for mgmt to move them.
- belcherbd

Nothing wrong with keeping them if you're headed for the playoffs. You play to win the games!!!

I do think LA will be better this year, they lost Williams and Sekera but that's still a solid team.

Lucic - Kopitar - Gaborik
Pearson - Carter - Toffoli

That's a nice top 6, Doughty-Muzzin form one of the best pairings in the league and Quick is a damn good goalie.

I do think LA will be better this year, they lost Williams and Sekera but that's still a solid team.

Lucic - Kopitar - Gaborik
Pearson - Carter - Toffoli

That's a nice top 6, Doughty-Muzzin form one of the best pairings in the league and Quick is a damn good goalie.
- Nucker101

Meh - they'll be a 95 to 100 point team which is their M.O. over the past five years.

Feast or famine, once they get the puck it'll be hard to strip them of it but when the other team gets it..probably a 3-on-1 or breakaway the other way.
- Nucker101

Yeah . One thing I have learned over the years, never count them out

Yeah . One thing I have learned over the years, never count them out
- VANTEL