Well, we are into mid-November, and the Calgary Flames have a 2% chance of making the playoffs. They have higher odds of getting the first overall pick, at 14%. Safe to say, we know what the Flames are this year. Although the season has not quite gone according to plan, there is still a lot to be excited about! Despite the struggles this season, what are you most excited for? We asked, you answered.
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What has our readers excited
We presented the below poll to our readers.
Battle of Alberta
Is it even fair to call this a battle anymore? One of the teams has two of the top five hockey players in the world and has made the Stanley Cup finals two years in a row. The other team is the Calgary Flames. Despite the opposite directions these teams are going, the hatred is still there. No doubt about it, the Flames vs the Oilers just feels different.
Even those who are firmly on Team Tank for the Flames want to see the Flames beat the Oilers every time they are up against each other. Although the teams aren’t close in skill level right now, the rivalry is always going to be there.
Battle for Gavin McKenna
This seems like the hope that many Flames fans are clinging to during this rough season. This is their Stanley Cup. It’s hard to blame this mentality, too, as the Flames have never drafted in the top three of the draft before. Gavin McKenna just might be that franchise-changing talent that the Flames haven’t had.
The Flames are in dire need of some star power. McKenna—as well as other players projected to go in the top three of the draft—would check that box off for the Flames right away.
Trade deadline
The Flames have the best centre, best defenceman, and one of the best wingers in the trade market right now in Nazem Kadri, Rasmus Andersson, and Blake Coleman. Whether they end up trading either or all of the three remains to be seen, but the Flames have an opportunity to cash in on some incredible value from these three players. If you are excited about these trades, you are likely hoping that this fast-tracks the Flames’ rebuild and helps them get some strong young talent.
Other options
This is something to be very excited about. Zayne Parekh was snubbed from the team last year, despite being one of the best young defencemen in the world. This year, it is likely he will go to the World Juniors and watch for him to dominate. The Flames have something very special in Parekh, and a trip to the World Juniors will boost his confidence and give him a great opportunity to develop his skills.
Greg nails it here. It’s hard to cheer for your team to lose. But watching the lottery balls determine where the Flames are picking will have Flames fans glued to the TV screen. If all goes to plan, that day could be the start of a very special timeline for the team.
The future is bright
Although the games may not be fun to watch right now, there is still a lot to be excited about for Flames fans. This is a painful time, but it’s short-term pain for long-term gain.
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