Curse of Cinderella?

[KB in Kelowna]

I thought I would generate some action here. So are the Flames another in the line of Cinderella teams who over achieve in the playoffs and come back to earth the following season, or are they a legitimate Cup contender who are just slow off the mark playing all games to date on the road?

Pesonally I like Iginla and think he is rightly considered one of the top players in the NHL. I think Daryl Sutter is a good coach and motivator. However I don't think the team is as good as their playoff run in 2004. They got an emotional role and had some lucky bounces and while they played well I don't believe they can do it again.

So have at me or them.

[Max Power]

As I've said before Calgary was a clutch and grab team last year and wouldn't get away with it this year with the new rules.
http://www.hockeystation.com/showthread.php?t=1088
If Bert would have been playing last year Vancouver would have beat them IMO. This year both Edmonton and Vancouver are better so they should have an even tougher time making the playoffs.
What?s a more interesting thought that I?ve heard is Calgary?s goaltending. I?ve heard a few people here say he?s just a flash in the pan and it looks to be possibly true? He?s had a tough time this year so far letting in some weak ones that I?ve seen? Didn?t they just sign him to 6 million or something?

[Madferret]

I watched 2 Flames games so far and Kipper seems to have returned down to earth. Calgary was the epitomy of a lunch pailers team during their Cup run, and as Maxy said they were a team who would clutch & grab the game to a snails pace and take most games by 1 goal. Can't do that anymore. I'm more surprised that there still isn't any Flames fans here...lol

[J.R.]

Why would so many people pick the Flames to win the Stanley Cup this season? It boggles the mind. I mean, who's their number one centre? Daymond Langkow? :laughing: Good start, Cinderella.

[TimmyTabasco]

I mean, who's their number one centre? Daymond Langkow? :laughing:

Hey now..

Horcoff or Langkow? :laughing: ;)

Langkow is totally underrated. Perhaps he hasn't reached that chemistry with Iginla

You put Langkow on the Oilers, and they are a much better team..IMO

[charlio lemieux]

Cinderella myth is not a myth, the simple fact of the matter is that the second time around teams are ready. Instead of going in to face the Lowly Whoevers, your team is about to play a Stanley Cup Finalist. A big difference in motivation.

Calgary signed Marchment to shore up what was refered to as ... wait I'm looking.... read PDO's sig, that says it all. :D Kipper will rediscover his game. The Flames will contend. No worries here.

[PDO]

Hey now..

Horcoff or Langkow? :laughing: ;)

Langkow is totally underrated. Perhaps he hasn't reached that chemistry with Iginla

You put Langkow on the Oilers, and they are a much better team..IMO

Langkow = Horcoff

The thing is, we have this guy on the second line.. Mike Peca. Don't know if you've heard of him ;).

I'm not surprised at all, as you can tell by my signature I've had doubts the entire time. Calgary didn't get better during the offseason. They lost some parts, and replaced them with other parts; hence losing chemistry. You knew Kipper wouldn't be the insane man he was a 2 years ago. Add in that a lot of other teams got better, and the writing was on the wall.

I predicted Calgary to be 7th IIRC, and I stated that I'd have gone lower, but didn't feel like getting tarred and feathered.

[TimmyTabasco]

Langkow = Horcoff

The thing is, we have this guy on the second line.. Mike Peca. Don't know if you've heard of him ;).

I'm not surprised at all, as you can tell by my signature I've had doubts the entire time. Calgary didn't get better during the offseason. They lost some parts, and replaced them with other parts; hence losing chemistry. You knew Kipper wouldn't be the insane man he was a 2 years ago. Add in that a lot of other teams got better, and the writing was on the wall.

I predicted Calgary to be 7th IIRC, and I stated that I'd have gone lower, but didn't feel like getting tarred and feathered.

Yeah, I totally agree on Cowtown. Before the lockout, they played a clutch/grab(as Max has pointed out). This style made them very successful under the old rules.

But now they are being called on that style of game. Plus, they have too many grinders. Iginla isn't doing enough. Not to mention an overrated defense.

Also, Kipper seems to have trouble with the new rules. However, other goalies have also had troubles..Nabokov/Toskala..Bulin wall..Theo to some extent.

To be honest, I think they will make the playoffs..but not as a high seed.

[Newfie John]

Kipper was a flash in the pan just as I predicted.. that other guy is too. You know him Timmy.

[TimmyTabasco]

that other guy is too. You know him Timmy.

Yeah, and you'll soon seen him too

Above your team in the standings :thumb: :nod:

[Newfie John]

Yeah, and you'll soon seen him too

Above your team in the standings :thumb: :nod:

The habs? Maybe. Souray? Ahead of the Marlies with the Bulldogs? Maybe.

[MadDevil]

The Flames troubles so far this season don't really surprise me that much. During their Cup run, Kiprusoff was almost perfect, Iginla was scoring at all the right times (so was the rest of the team for that matter), and the whole team was working it's ass off. That's a hard thing to suddenly pick up after a whole year off, especially with different players.

Calgary played close, physical, defensive hockey in 2003-2004, and their style right now isn't translating very well to the "new NHL". Calgary's forward depth is questionable, their defense isn't playing up to potential, and Kiprusoff has come back down to earth. That being said, it's still too early for any team to panic. With the new rules, some teams have adapted faster than others, and some have the personnel to better execute the game now. Once the entire league adapts to the rules, we'll know who the contenders really are.

[leaferfan87]

I still say it is too early to pass judgement on the Flames. Their defense and goaltending has looked brutal. But, Sutter is a good coach and I'm sure he will work with his defense to help them adapt to the new NHL.

If the Flames are still struggling in a month or two I will pass judgement.