Bet On NHL Hockey: Flames
The Calgary Flames find themselves in a familiar position as we head into the 2014-2015 NHL season – trying to stay out of the basement of the overall standings.
NHL Predictions
Calgary Flames
Odds to win the 2015 Stanley Cup: 75/1
Odds to win the 2015 Western Conference: 40/1
Odds to Win the 2014 Pacific Division: 14/1
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2014-2015 Calgary Flames Betting Preview:
The term “rebuilding” is getting a little old in Flames-land but a look at the roster reveals the fact that the loyal fan base may have to endure two or three more years of substandard results before the team returns to respectability. Calgary resisted the urge to purge the lineup, opting to stay the course with their veterans and allowing the youngsters more playing time.
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Calgary added a much needed goaltender in the offseason. Jonas Hiller will step in as an OK #1, replacing the underwhelming duo of Karri Ramo and Reto Berra. Hiller has shown flashes in the past but was bumped out of a job in Anaheim last year by a pair of rookies – Frederik Andersen and John Gibson. Although Hiller may not be in the elite class of goaltender he is definitely an upgrade in an enormous position of need for Calgary.
Offense
The Flames offense was 23rd in the NHL last season – 24th on the power play. The team bid adieu to one of their best offensive weapon – Mike Cammalleri is gone and lesser names like Brandon Bollig, Mason Raymond and Devin Setoguchi are expected to absorb the offense that Cammalleri provided. The additions certainly aren’t a huge upgrade – we can expect the Flames to finish in the bottom third of NHL offenses once again this year.
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Curtis Glencross, Mikael Backlund, Jiri Hudler, Mason Raymond, Sean Monahan, Joe Colborne, Johnny Gaudreau, Matt Stajan, David Jones, Brandon Bollig, Lance Bouma and Brian McGrattan will likely start the season as the top four lines – Devin Setoguchi and Markus Granlund are also slated to make the lineup.
Youngsters Shaun Monahan who had 22 goals last year and rookie Johnny Gaudreau provide the optimism for a great future in Calgary – unfortunately we can’t count on them to be huge contributors just yet.
Defense
Defensively the Flames will have Mark Giordano, T.J. Brodie, Kris Russell, Dennis Wideman, Ladislav Smid and Deryk Engelland patrolling the blue line – not a bad top six but far from the top tier or two group needed to make up for the glaring shortcomings of Calgary’s offense.
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These guys are partly responsible for making their goaltenders look bad last year and will need to tighten up ahead of 2014-2015 – or face the prospect of finishing bottom third in terms of defense – AGAIN.
FREE Flames NHL Predictions 2014/2015
For the Calgary Flames improvement will be a victory this year – a playoff spot seems out of the question and any sort of title is a pipe-dream at best. The Flames will be a tough team to play against no doubt – they will give it their all as per usual but occupy their familiar spot – near the bottom of the NHL standings.
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