The Flames are currently 17–17–5, putting them sixth in the Pacific division and two points out of a playoff spot. However, they are also four points away from being the fifth-worst team in the league. It’s a confusing time for Flames optimists and pessimists right now, as at times the Flames look like a good team, and other times they look like one of the worst. The Flames have consistently been a middling team for the past 20 years, so where do people think they will finish this season? We asked, you answered.
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Predicting the Flames’ finish
We presented the below poll with the four tiers of possible finishes the Flames could have.
Top 3 in division
Barely anybody voted for the Flames to finish in the top 3 of the Pacific, and this isn’t surprising at all. The Pacific Division has Vegas, Edmonton, Los Angeles, and Vancouver, all of which are better than Calgary. It’s not particularly close either. Calgary is very much a tier (or two) below these 4 teams and I don’t see them making massive improvements during the season to be on the same level.
Barely make the playoffs
If Calgary does end up making the playoffs, they will have to have a better record than any three of the Nashville Predators, Edmonton Oilers, St. Louis Blues, Seattle Kraken, and Arizona Coyotes. If you asked me at the beginning of the year if this would be possible, it would be an easy yes. However, now it just doesn’t look as promising at all. Despite the rough performance of the team so far, almost 30% of our readers still believe that this team will make the playoffs, which is higher than I expected. Jacob Markstrom is playing fantastic, and players like Connor Zary have provided a great spark for the team. If Jonathan Huberdeau continues his recent resurgence after putting up three points in four games, can this team get it done?
Barely miss the playoffs
This seems like the standard Flames way. It would be the worst (and most predictable) outcome for this team to keep pushing for the playoffs and miss, but realize at a time when it would be too late to tank. 55% of voters believe this will be the outcome, and I believe a major part of this is that this is exactly how last season went. Instead of selling, the team added Troy Stecher and Nick Ritchie, only to be eliminated from playoff contention at the second last game of the season.
Lottery team
As painful as a finish this would be for some fans, it might just be a blessing in disguise. It’s a rare occurrence, but the Flames would actually be getting something out of not making the playoffs, a really good draft pick. It’s short-term pain, but for a long-term gain. Now, are the Flames willing and capable of doing this? Only 12% of our readers think so. We have never seen the Flames pick higher than fourth overall. Will this upcoming draft be the year?
No direction
With this discussion going on, and with the organization re-engaging in contract extension talks with Noah Hanifin, some fans are taking it as the organization having no direction. Instead of having a long-term plan, some fans believe that this organization just tries to put together a roster that “might” make the playoffs, and then cross their fingers that they can get on a heater and win the Stanley Cup. However, the organization now has a new coach, and a new GM. If there is going to be a shift in the mindset, this season would be the time.
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