Quote (StayPositive @ Jul 1 2015 06:06pm)
Copied from Flamesnation:
"By now, anyone following both of Alberta's teams must have the impression that rapid progress is happening. Both teams have taken huge strides in the off-season so far. As much as the Flames have improved, Chiarelli's smart moves threaten to make next season's Battle of Alberta a less one-sided affair. The Flames still have a huge advantage, to be sure, but can they possibly win every single game against the Oilers again?
From this, one might get the impression that, as much as the Flames have improved, they're going to need to be even better to stand a chance in the perennially brutal Pacific conference. If the Oilers, of all teams, are starting to look like a competently run franchise, surely what awaits the Flames West of the rockies must be that much worse! Well, you'd be wrong.
Benning is freakin' blowing it. He traded Zach Kassian. You'd think a young, big, physical pest who plays against tough competition would command a nice return. Nope. The return was Brandon Prust, who is an aging fourth liner. After trading the admittedly "irrelevant" Bieksa for picks, you'd figure the Canucks would sign a solid UFA defenceman. They picked up Taylor Fedun, a 27-year old with just 11 games of NHL experience who was unable to crack the Oilers lineup last season. Speaking of the Oilers' discards, Benning also signed Bachman, although it will be a dark day indeed if he ever actually plays.
In general, the other teams in the Pacific conference are not taking steps forward and, in some cases, are taking huge leaps backwards. Alberta's teams are on the rise! The death valley of hockey is being reborn!"
It's too bad Winnipeg is hosting the 2016-2017 heritage classic. That'd be the perfect season for the battle of Alberta. Would probably set all kinds of records.
This post was edited by dxlightning on Jul 1 2015 04:39pm