Back in January, I wrote an article suggesting the Flames were on the very cusp of being contenders, and that a good offseason in 2017 could be enough to open that vaunted “window” of contention.
Now, being the king of timing as I am, I wrote and published said piece right after the Flames had dropped their third straight embarrassment. Sure enough, though, the PDO dip came to an end and the Flames heated right up, scorching their way to the playoffs. Unlike 2015, their playoff berth was no fluke, and the roster – which was competent enough to make the playoffs as is – is ripe for improvement.