Question three: With all the injuries, do you think it’s somewhat of a blessing in disguise for the Calgary Flames to not make the playoffs this year?
Jonathan Boulanger
I suppose. If it permits management to realize they need to put guys like Spencer Foo, Oliver Kylington, Rasmus Andersson in a position to succeed over guys like Troy Brouwer, Tanner Glass and Michael Stone – Then it is a blessing. the root of the aforementioned scoring trouble that flushed the season is due to guys like Brouwer who has 6 goals and was getting significant powerplay time, during the playoff race!
Ian Gustafson
It’s a blessing in a way because it is likely with a matchup with Vegas or Nashville that they wouldn’t win. It also will force management to make some changes to the team whether they’re minor of major.
Tomas Oppolzer
No. Sure, they would be hard-pressed to go far but in a season where your first pick isn’t until the 4th round, not making the playoffs is rough. Playoff hockey is also just plain fun and not getting to watch it sucks.
Related Story: Players getting chances with others injured
Benjamin Prokopy
I do not. Every team has injuries going into the post season. As a fan, I would much prefer to be in the post season than not. And, like every fan, I understand that, if my team doesn’t make it to the playoffs, I can at least look forward to the entry draft and the potential incoming talent. But, with no selections in either of the first 2 rounds this year, I can’t even look forward to that.
I’d much prefer the playoffs.
Moreover, the Flames enjoyed standout performances this year from the likes of Johnny Gaudreau, Mark Giordano and Dougie Hamilton. Those efforts are wasted if the team does not have a playoff appearance to show for them. This is particularly true in the case of Giordano who, at 35 years old, has more great years behind him than ahead.
Dan Raicevich
Not at all. For a team with the expectations of making the playoffs and potentially contending for the Stanley Cup, this season is a complete and utter failure. Flat out, bar none. To think that this team, with the level of skill it possesses, fell this short is unacceptable.
Ramina Shlah
I’d obviously much prefer the playoffs. But the Calgary Flames would not be as successful in the playoffs without Kris Versteeg or Sean Monahan. And there’s also that risk of players trying to play through their injuries and worsening them, like we’ve seen with Monahan, and Matthew Tkachuk or TJ Brodie if they rushed back. While I’d prefer playoffs, they wouldn’t have been as successful.