I have sort of held the presumption that we are likely to make the playoffs next year.
That didn't survive contact with any sort of analysis.
Yes we should improve just by buying out OEL and replacing him with anyone really, and having Demko for 50-60 starts. But that is not what the game is. We need to push out one of the teams in the playoffs this year.
Out of the 4 teams in our own Division I don't see us supplanting any of the 4 who made it Vegas, Edmonton, Seattle or LA and I think we should expect the Flames to bounce back. They had the worst luck this year (their OT record is ridicilious) and still almost made it in, WITH some of their players openly (verbally) fighting their coach.
We wont push out Colorado or Dallas.
So that leaves us the remaining wildcard spot.
Minnesota, Nashville, St Louis and Winnipeg will be our competition most likely for that spot.
I honestly would not give us 50/50 odds to make it over one of those 4 teams.
What a wild time to follow this team...