The Red Sea- A Cowtown Dynasty

[DrGravyBoat]

Overview

Game: NHL 17

System: PS4

Team: Calgary Flames

Rosters: Default

Tuner Set: I'll make my own, so allow me a few days after release to get some I like

Hey Guys,

I know it may be a little early for an NHL 17 dynasty since we just under a month from release but I thought, in order to build some "hype" and get invested more in the Dynasty, I thought I'd start a thread now.

I'll be running with the Calgary Flames for this one, as the Calgary Flames are my favourite team, and I think they're an interesting story. With everything the way it is, now in Calgary the team seems to be a bright spot for the city. The city's love for the Flames runs through everyone. And at every home game, a Sea of Red forms, proving to everyone why Calgary is so great.

I love the city, and I love the team.

I'm gonna try to make this one as realistic as possible. That includes "no-trade clauses" in contracts. I will honor those. However, occasionally players will "waive" their no movement clauses. I will be realistic in that sense also. Furthermore, I'm not gonna try to offer massive contracts to superstar players every season. I'll pick my spots. In addition, I'll make a realistic determination on whether or not we have a chance to make the playoffs and proceed at the trade deadline to sell or buy.

Something I've wanted to try for a while is sabermetrics in an EA game. I'm not going to build my entire team based off statistics, but I will take a look at players who match certain criteria.

Please allow me a few posts as "reserves" and then we'll be on our way.

So please, sit back and enjoy the ride.

[DrGravyBoat]

Re: The Red Sea- A Cowtown Dynasty

Reserve:

Yearly Results

[DrGravyBoat]

Re: The Red Sea- A Cowtown Dynasty

Reserve:

Awards and Accolades

[DrGravyBoat]

Re: The Red Sea- A Cowtown Dynasty

Team Info

City: Calgary, Alberta

Arena: Scotiabank Saddledome

Inaugural Season: 1980*

Conference: Western

Divison: Pacific

Divison Titles: 6

Conference Titles: 3

Stanley Cups: 1 (1989)

Mascot: Harvey the Hound

Head Coach: Gus Gulutzan

General Manager: Brad Treliving

All-time Record: 1233-1009-271-105 (W-L-OTL-T)

[DrGravyBoat]

Re: The Red Sea- A Cowtown Dynasty

Reserve:

NHL Yearly (From 2016-2017)

Good to Post

[DrGravyBoat]

Re: The Red Sea- A Cowtown Dynasty

Calgary, AB- An eventful offseason for the Calgary is slowly wrapping up. The Flames, who finished last year at a disappointing 35-40-7 (12th in the Western Conference, 26th Overall) and fired Head Coach Bob Hartley, have made some big moves.

Arguably their biggest, and undoubtedly most necessary was the acquisition of a quality goaltender in Brian Elliot. "Moose", formerly of the Ottawa Senators, Colorado Avalanche, and St. Louis Blues holds an impressive .914 Save % and a solid 2.40 GAA (Goals Against Average). Acquired for a second round draft pick in 2016 and a conditional 2018 3rd round selection, dependant on whether Elliot resigns with the team. While he looks like a immediate-relatively long-term solution in goal, the Flames have looked for answers to their goaltending woes outside of the organization before with mixed results. The most notable of their acquisitions is Mikka Kipprusoff. Elliot being a Kipprusoff-like acquisition would be the best case scenario for the Flames. The worst case scenario would resemble Jonas Hiller (Or Karri Ramo, or Vesa Toskala, or Reto Berra, or Joey MacDonald or Henrik Karlson). None-the-less, Flames fan should be excited. Elliot presents the Flames Organization a large body of work, removing the "fluke" possibility as much as possible.

Along with acquiring Elliot on draft night, the Flames also selected Matthew Tkachuk, son of Keith Tkachuk, with the 6th overall selection. Tkachuk is like sandpaper, he's gritty and that's precisely what the Flames' youth movement need. Bryan Burke called Tkachuk "A pain in the a-- that we need". He can also put the puck to twine, to an NHL capable level. And on top of all that, he's "clutch". Tkachuk scored the Memorial Cup winning goal this past spring, and proved his worth in the process. He could very well crack the opening night lineup. In an upcoming article, we discuss who has a chance to make and leave the NHL roster in more detail.

Calgary's final "big" move this summer was the signing of veteran winger, Troy Brouwer. Brouwer, previously of the Washington Capitals and St. Louis Blues gives the Flames a veteran presence on a young squad. With 700+ total NHL games (Regular Season and Playoffs) and 326 total points, he should definitely provide the Flames leadership for the upcoming season.

Finally, we've compiled a list of players that player in the NHL last year, and are in line for a spot on the opening night against Edmonton. Players to watch during the preseason, which begins September 26th against the Oilers include:

Michael Ferland (Likely to be first forward sent to the AHL)
Ladislav Smid (Coming off injury, needs to impress to stay relevant)
Jyrki Jokikappa (Could be sent down, depending on how well Smid and others do)
Dennis Wideman (Not too well liked in Calgary, could be moved with a bad preseason and start to the regular season
Alex Chiasson (New team, looking to start off well)

And More...

Look for more "In depth" coverage in our later "Preseason Watch-list" article.

[WeirdViper]

Re: The Red Sea- A Cowtown Dynasty

flames are definately an interesting team

[DrGravyBoat]

Re: The Red Sea- A Cowtown Dynasty

flames are definately an interesting team

Thanks for the first comment,

The Flames are a really interesting team, it's going to a tough decision to determine whether to go for a playoff run soon, or wait a few years.

Thanks for checking in.

[AdamJones113]

Re: The Red Sea- A Cowtown Dynasty

Oh you know I'm following man! Best of luck

[DrGravyBoat]

Re: The Red Sea- A Cowtown Dynasty

Oh you know I'm following man! Best of luck

The man, the myth, the legend AJ113 has made an appearance.

Thanks for the following and the comment. Other than Son of Sam's Wings' chise, these areas have been dead. Hopefully this thread will start a bit of a resurgence.

In other news,

I've updated the "Team Info" reserve. There will eventually be more information in there, I just figured that it'd be a good "start".

[DrGravyBoat]

Re: The Red Sea- A Cowtown Dynasty

2016-2017 Calgary Flames Season Primer

Calgary, AB- Things look to be good for the Flames heading into the final month of preparation before the 2016-2017 season gets underway. In honour of the new look Calgary Flames, we have decided to compile a season preview for the fans waiting in anticipation for the first puck drop, which takes place Wednesday October 12th against the Edmonton Oilers in the first battle of Alberta on the year.

Record: 41-35-5

Playoffs?: Yes

Leading Point Scorer: Johnny Gaudreau

Most Goals: Johnny Gaudreau

Most Assists: Sean Monahan

Breakout Player: Alex Chiasson

Biggest Disappointment: Dennis Wideman

Biggest Bounce-back: Dougie Hamiliton

The 2016-2017 season looks to be the Flames most promising since 03-04. Calgary has a plethora of young talent and skill, and now being backed by solid goaltending, the Flames could easily make another run in the playoffs. Calgary compete in a tough Western conference with Chicago, Los Angeles, Anaheim, St. Louis, San Jose and Nashville all leading "the charge". If the Flames plan on making the playoffs, they'll do so as either a wildcard team or with a underachieving season by the Ducks, Kings or Sharks. The Flames could find themselves in the second round of playoffs if they get help from other teams during the regular season and play tough during March.

A team can only go as far as a goalie takes them, so this year the Flames can go farther than they have since Kipprusoff retired. With "Moose" in net, the Flames have become exponentially better. In addition, the Flames boast a great amount of talent of the backend, highlighted by TJ Brodie, Dougie Hamilton and Mark Giordano. Defences win championships, and the Flames are nearing the title that has remained elusive since 1989 with the young core they have on D. The offense isn't too shabby either.

Johnny Hockey leads the talented group of forwards this season. 4th year leader Sean Monahan provides an incredible amount of poise at just 23 years of age. He is one of this team's "leaders" and his performance will reflect that of the team's. If he succeeds, the team will. If he falters, the team will. Another leader on offense in Mikael Backlund. The talented centre has taken somewhat of a "backseat" in the offense but has remained patient and understanding of the process. He deserves to star, and this year he could with all the pieces in place.

In conclusion, this year looks very promising for the Flames. Jump on the bandwagon before it becomes over occupied. The Flames time is coming, the only question is when.

[Son of Sam99]

Re: The Red Sea- A Cowtown Dynasty

Nice start! I look forward to seeing some games

[DrGravyBoat]

Re: The Red Sea- A Cowtown Dynasty

Pre-Season Battles to Watch

Jokipakka vs Smid vs Wideman

The winner in this battle of defencemen gets a spot on the second line with TJ Brodie. Whoever finishes 2nd get to play limited minutes with Derek Engelland. For the unfortunate 3rd place player, they get to spend the season watching from the press box. Smid is looking from the outside in, with Wideman likely winning this battle. Jokipakka could definitely move up to the second pairing with Brodie, as their similar play-styles could prove to beneficial. Wideman is slowing down, which could cause him to miss out on minutes, however that seems unlikely.

Backlund vs Bennett

The battle between these 2 centres isn't for a roster spot, it's for the chance to play good minutes between Alex Chiasson and Troy Brower. Backlund has spent a ton of time playing second fiddle to the main leaders of the flames, while Bennett provides a young high-upside player. It's a real toss up between the two. Many pundits figure Bennett to have the advantage, however, seeing Chiasson and Brower's play-styles throughout the pre-season could give Backlund the spot.

Tkachuk vs Vey vs Ferland

This could very be the most intriguing battle this year. Tkachuk could replace Ferland and score at a much higher rate. Vey has more skill than Ferland but has never played wing. Ferland can't score, and doesn't have a knack for showing up in games other than the playoffs but has the most experience of all the candidates. Ferland has proved he could score in the WHL, he just hasn't figured it out in the NHL. Gus Gulutzan has said that Ferland will play 2 games this preseason, Vey will get 3 and Tkachuk 1. That gives the advantage to Ferland and Vey. Ferland needs a good 2 first games, as the fact Vey has 3 games to prove himself points to more faith in Vey. Tkachuk has stated he has a desire to play in the NHL right away, but gets that there is a process to follow.

The Flames preseason is looking quite promising, as is the season. It should be entertaining hockey, regardless of the fact it has no implications on the standings. Here is the Flames schedule for the Pre-Season:

09/25/16: Vs. Edmonton
09/26/16: @ Anaheim
10/01/16: @ Vancouver
10/03/16: @ Arizona
10/05/16: Vs. Los Angeles
10/07/16: Vs. San Jose

[Nickflyers]

Re: The Red Sea- A Cowtown Dynasty

Sweet. Can't wait to see how those battles shape out. Definitely following

[Strug04]

Re: The Red Sea- A Cowtown Dynasty

calgary i feel is one of those teams that could be built into a dynasty pretty quick... or go horribly wrong