Oilers vs Flames - Who will finish ahead in the standings?

[MoneyGuy]

I'm a regular at CP and both of these threads (this one and the one at CP) are embarrassing. Both cities have fans who are stupid and irrational, and both have smart fans with well-reasoned opinions. They make fun of us, you guys make fun of them. Maybe when hockey starts up again we can get over this nonsense.

I think this is the year the Oilers pass the Flames and we're trending up and they're trending down from there, so they had better get used to it.

Our offense is much better, their defense if marginally better and their goal-tending is much better right now but I think Dubnyk will surprise a lot of people. I also think our d-corps is also better than many people believe.

I think a lot of people in Calgary are going to be surprised by how well the Oilers do this year. I think we'll finish about 10th in the conference then it will be playoffs next year as they make a push. A lot of the Flames fortunes depend on Kipper. If he's hurt, watch out.

 

[s7ark]

Sigh... And these guys make fun of you all the time because of the Schremp remark.
But we can still post links to calgarypuke since it isn't an HFBoard team forum, right?

Edit: I was wrong about posting stuff from CP. Please do not do this in the future.

And I really don't care if a bunch of CPers want to laugh at me. It was a stupid statement, I admit it. Hardly the only one ever made but for some reason they find my statement funnier than the yearly comparisons of prospects to Sakic(1641p), Yzerman(1755p), and Francis(1798p). I liken the whole situation to a someone with a severe learning disability laughing at you for tripping over something. They are right to laugh, but considering the source, it's hard to get too upset up about it.

 

[Da McBomb]

I just laugh when Flames fans continually bring up the time when we were all excited about Schremp, Cogs, Gagner and compare our current situation to that. If you know anything about hockey, you would know the difference between our current group of elite young players and that of a few years back.

 

[TylerSVT*]

I think the Oilers will improve, will they be a playoff team? Dont think so, not yet. I think the short season helps them but i still think they have a weak blueline and Dubynk is still really uncertain in net, if he slides you basically wash the season away.

The Flames are clinging to the ledge with one last shot towards the playoffs, i dont see our team being better or worse than last year, its still a patchwork team that might be able to do some damage, i dont think they are a bottom 5 team in the league though, they have too much talent for that.

IMO it could go either way Oilers or Flames being better, All i know is the trajectory, Oilers are getting better, Flames are getting worse.

 

[Insta]

I'm a regular at CP and both of these threads (this one and the one at CP) are embarrassing. Both cities have fans who are stupid and irrational, and both have smart fans with well-reasoned opinions. They make fun of us, you guys make fun of them. Maybe when hockey starts up again we can get over this nonsense.

I think this is the year the Oilers pass the Flames and we're trending up and they're trending down from there, so they had better get used to it.

Our offense is much better, their defense if marginally better and their goal-tending is much better right now but I think Dubnyk will surprise a lot of people. I also think our d-corps is also better than many people believe.

I think a lot of people in Calgary are going to be surprised by how well the Oilers do this year. I think we'll finish about 10th in the conference then it will be playoffs next year as they make a push. A lot of the Flames fortunes depend on Kipper. If he's hurt, watch out.

What makes this thread embarrassing? You can't have a thread on the Oilers board thinking this will be the year they pass the Flames? Considering you agree, again, how is it embarrassing?

 

[Suxnet]

Fair enough!
I shan't group them all into one basket.

Check out these Bob Mackenzie Jr's.

Did Flames fans forget their team signed Dennis Wideman? It's gonna be hilarious seeing him get deked out of his jock every shift by Hall, Yak, Ebs, and RNH.

 

[K1984]

I just laugh when Flames fans continually bring up the time when we were all excited about Schremp, Cogs, Gagner and compare our current situation to that. If you know anything about hockey, you would know the difference between our current group of elite young players and that of a few years back.

Which is funny coming from them when you look at how excited they are getting over average at best prospects like Wotherspoon, Reinhart, Gaudreau, Jankowski, Nemisz, Granlund, etc, etc, etc.

 

[s7ark]

I think the Oilers will improve, will they be a playoff team? Dont think so, not yet. I think the short season helps them but i still think they have a weak blueline and Dubynk is still really uncertain in net, if he slides you basically wash the season away.

The Flames are clinging to the ledge with one last shot towards the playoffs, I dont see our team being better or worse than last year, its still a patchwork team that might be able to do some damage, i dont think they are a bottom 5 team in the league though, they have too much talent for that.

IMO it could go either way Oilers or Flames being better, All i know is the trajectory, Oilers are getting better, Flames are getting worse.

This season really could go either way. The Flames were better than the Oilers last year, but with our core maturing and the addition of Yak + Schultz I think this is our year to pass them(still don't think we're making the playoffs this year though). I do accept that I might be overly optimistic.

I can hardly laugh at a Flames fan that can put up a reasonable argument for their team being better. They have been better than us for a long time and some aspects of their team look to be stronger than the Oilers on paper(D/G)

We'll see how the season plays out. I definitely agree with you on your thoughts about trajectory though.

 

[Groucho]

God, I hope the season/home opener is against the Flames.

It sounds like it's only a possibility on one of three schedules, according to Terry Jones twitter.

I would love, love, love to pound them on opening night though (nh).

 

[RipsADrive]

God, I hope the season/home opener is against the Flames.

It sounds like it's only a possibility on one of three schedules, according to Terry Jones twitter.

I would love, love, love to pound them on opening night though (nh).

Agree with this completely.

I think things went alright in the game last time we opened the season against them.

 

[Da McBomb]

Agree with this completely.

I think things went alright in the game last time we opened the season against them.

Yah maybe Yakupov can burn Wideman like Eberle did to Ian White for his first NHL goal.

 

[Turrican*]

Yah maybe Yakupov can burn Wideman like Eberle did to Ian White for his first NHL goal.

Wideman costs too much money to be burned like that.
He will bodycheck Yakupov through the glass.

 

[Insta]

God, I hope the season/home opener is against the Flames.

It sounds like it's only a possibility on one of three schedules, according to Terry Jones twitter.

I would love, love, love to pound them on opening night though (nh).

Terry Jones ‏@sunterryjones
Hearing that the CAL at EDM Jan 19 home opener isn't as set in stone as it seemed, at least in one of the three sked options. Who knows.

He's saying 1 of the 3 possibility doesn't have the Oilers and Flames playing. Most likely you would have to think they still are playing Calgary.

 

[MoneyGuy]

What makes this thread embarrassing? You can't have a thread on the Oilers board thinking this will be the year they pass the Flames? Considering you agree, again, how is it embarrassing?

Not the whole thread, just the parts where people, on both sides, are being called idiots and where people, on both sides, are making crazy conclusions based on half-cocked assumptions. I made a post over there and was challenged on stuff that I never even said. Sure, post that the Oilers will finish ahead of the Flames (which I agree with, as you said), but it's getting nasty and malicious. It's pretty juvenile, in my opinion. This will be settled on the ice.

 

[Turrican*]

Not the whole thread, just the parts where people, on both sides, are being called idiots and where people, on both sides, are making crazy conclusions based on half-cocked assumptions. I made a post over there and was challenged on stuff that I never even said. Sure, post that the Oilers will finish ahead of the Flames (which I agree with, as you said), but it's getting nasty and malicious. It's pretty juvenile, in my opinion. This will be settled on the ice.

Ya the players will settle it on the ice.

We regular people will settle it on forums. :pillow:

 

[Da McBomb]

I'd still pick Hall over Seguin today if we had to redo that draft. Yes having 2 great Centres to build around sounds ideal, but without Hall, our left wing depth would be tremendously weak. When you draft #1 overall, you always pick BPA and worry about and address team needs later.

 

[The Nuge]

I'd still pick Hall over Seguin today if we had to redo that draft. Yes having 2 great Centres to build around sounds ideal, but without Hall, our left wing depth would be tremendously weak. When you draft #1 overall, you always pick BPA and worry about and address team needs later.

Agreed. I'd love 2 great centermen, but we NEED Hall. Every successful team has a guy like Hall that never quits and can get everyone fired up

 

[nexttothemoon]

Some definitions since hockey season (and the rivalries that go with it) is starting up again...

Rocket Surgeon...

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=rocket+surgeon


CP is full of this...

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=flame bait&defid=3830211

...because it's full of these...

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=flametardo

because...

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=flames suck

 

[gooilgo]

Some definitions since hockey season (and the rivalries that go with it) is starting up again...

Rocket Surgeon...

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=rocket+surgeon


CP is full of this...

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=flame bait&defid=3830211

...because it's full of these...

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=flametardo

because...

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=flames suck

Where is that LIKE button?

 

[Aceboogie]

The Flames are in for rough times ahead. If Kipper doesnt stand on his head this season they will be near bottom 5 in the league. Iggy is getting old and hasnt played in a while, the schedule will not be good to him. They have decent prospects coming up but none to write home about. If they embraced a rebuild they could turn around relatively fast which is a scary thing. But Im happy with them offering 5 year NMC clauses to vetern players.

That being said, the Oilers arent looking like a diamond either. They got their own set of question marks. The D could be good if Whitney comes back to health. Smid is our little secret and criminally underrated, but I would like to keep it that way. Id say even with average goaltending they do better then the Flames

 

[sepHF]

I'd still pick Hall over Seguin today if we had to redo that draft. Yes having 2 great Centres to build around sounds ideal, but without Hall, our left wing depth would be tremendously weak. When you draft #1 overall, you always pick BPA and worry about and address team needs later.

Seguin is a winger so far too, I guess we'll see if he ever switches over.

I guess the Oilers would've probably played him at center but he's been more effective on the wing so far.

 

[McSomnii]

A comparison to Pavel Brendl; in no way do I detect any jealousy there on behalf of Flames fans.

As for the TC's question, I expect to see the Oilers move up a few spots in the standings, but in the end I still see them finishing just behind the Flames; considering the strength of the Western Conference in general, as well as the question marks that plague both of Alberta's teams, I'm skeptical of either of them making the playoffs.

 

[fastfeet*]

The Flames are in for rough times ahead. If Kipper doesnt stand on his head this season they will be near bottom 5 in the league. Iggy is getting old and hasnt played in a while, the schedule will not be good to him. They have decent prospects coming up but none to write home about. If they embraced a rebuild they could turn around relatively fast which is a scary thing. But Im happy with them offering 5 year NMC clauses to vetern players.

That being said, the Oilers arent looking like a diamond either. They got their own set of question marks. The D could be good if Whitney comes back to health. Smid is our little secret and criminally underrated, but I would like to keep it that way. Id say even with average goaltending they do better then the Flames

Agree with most, the only problem I have is that our style rebuild is not a guaranteed way to go. Yes we have a phenomenal group of young blue chippers, yet they haven't taken this team to the next level YET. In all likelihood we will be better than the Flames this year, but until that actually happens, I hate seeing homer fans say things like "we have a future dynasty" or "we're going to kill the Flames this year." It's hard to be cocky when our "improvement" last year was from 30th to 29th. I think we're almost guaranteed to be better this year, but until we ACTUALLY make progress, why all the bravado. As for embracing a rebuild, it is nice that we have 3 #1 picks, however it would've been nice to also ice a competitive team while rebuilding. Chicago and Pittsburgh are the only teams since the 1st lockout to successfully do a burn it to the ground rebuild. But both teams also had much better goaltending and a stronger supporting cast. Teams like Philly, Boston, LA, Detriot, New Jersey we're all able to be competitive teams while rebuilding and have not required years of top 10 draft picks. Still wouldn't trade our position with the Flames for anything, but lets keep the chippiness until we do actually kick their ass.

 

[IV XIV XCI]

I'm a regular at CP and both of these threads (this one and the one at CP) are embarrassing. Both cities have fans who are stupid and irrational, and both have smart fans with well-reasoned opinions. They make fun of us, you guys make fun of them. Maybe when hockey starts up again we can get over this nonsense.

I think this is the year the Oilers pass the Flames and we're trending up and they're trending down from there, so they had better get used to it.

Our offense is much better, their defense if marginally better and their goal-tending is much better right now but I think Dubnyk will surprise a lot of people. I also think our d-corps is also better than many people believe.

I think a lot of people in Calgary are going to be surprised by how well the Oilers do this year. I think we'll finish about 10th in the conference then it will be playoffs next year as they make a push. A lot of the Flames fortunes depend on Kipper. If he's hurt, watch out.

To be as unbias as possible, I must say, having read a lot of their threads in recent years, in my opinion, the quantity of bashing from them to us far exceeds what is said here about them.

Perhaps the fact that they have finished higher in the standings is reason enough for us to grin-n-bear-it.

I am very excited to see what is going to happen there WHEN we start dominating them in the season series and in the standings. Until that happens, they are the better team and I keep my mouth shut.

But I do believe the tables are turning, and soon.

 

[Aceboogie]

Agree with most, the only problem I have is that our style rebuild is not a guaranteed way to go. Yes we have a phenomenal group of young blue chippers, yet they haven't taken this team to the next level YET. In all likelihood we will be better than the Flames this year, but until that actually happens, I hate seeing homer fans say things like "we have a future dynasty" or "we're going to kill the Flames this year." It's hard to be cocky when our "improvement" last year was from 30th to 29th. I think we're almost guaranteed to be better this year, but until we ACTUALLY make progress, why all the bravado. As for embracing a rebuild, it is nice that we have 3 #1 picks, however it would've been nice to also ice a competitive team while rebuilding. Chicago and Pittsburgh are the only teams since the 1st lockout to successfully do a burn it to the ground rebuild. But both teams also had much better goaltending and a stronger supporting cast. Teams like Philly, Boston, LA, Detriot, New Jersey we're all able to be competitive teams while rebuilding and have not required years of top 10 draft picks. Still wouldn't trade our position with the Flames for anything, but lets keep the chippiness until we do actually kick their ass.

Is the Oiler/Hawks/Pens right way to do it? maybe. Not guarnteed by any means. Teams like CBJ and NYI show it doesnt always work. But its a good option.

At the same time is the way they are going correct? not more correct than a full scale rebuild. They are on a treadmill and cant seem to sign the FA's to make them go enough. Teams like New Jersey, Philly and Boston have done it through solid mgmt, good trades, good drafting and good FA signings. The flames have average FA signing, bad trading and undetermined drafting success. Not sold at all that they can get by without a rebuild. Calgary like Edmonton is not a FA hotspot and I dont buy that Feaster can pull off good trades. (was Phaneuf during his tenure).

I do believe they have good assets that could get significant returns that could speed up their rebuild. Say at the deadline Philly is desperate and offers them B. Schenn or some equal package. They dont have to trade for 5 draft picks, they can get young players for Iggy/Kipper/Jbow. When EDM went into rebuild mode they didnt have those assets, they only had their own picks and lesser assets like Penner. If the Flames pulled the trigger this year and got younger prospects plus drafted a guy like Mackinnon or Barkov they could be on par with the Oilers by the end of next season. Theyd have Sven, Barkov (assumption), Gaudreau and 2/3 young prospects aquired through trade to compete against the big 5.

But the longer they wait the more the return diminishes. And I believe holding on the Iggy will be more about pride because they dont have the roster to make the playoffs or do well in the playoffs this year. So as an Oiler fan I support them holding on to Iggy as long as possible, but as a hockey fan I see that they have a unique opporunity