I'd argue that Minny is probably more like, "let's play them in the conference final". They've been likely about 9-1 without Kaprizov. They have a bit of everything and only Boston has a better 1-2 punch in goal. Guerin was really sneaky good at TDL adding Klingberg, Johansson and Sundqvist on the cheap.
Kaprizov-Hartman-Zuccarello
Johannson-Erikson Ek-Boldy
Foligno-F. Gaudreau-Sundqvist
Duhaime-Dewar-Reeves
Middleton-Spurgeon
Brodin-Dumba
Goligoski-Klingberg
Fleury-Gustavsson
That's solid with a bit of everything. Especially considering the massive buyouts of Parise and Suter forcing them to be very on point.
I'm hoping the Flames get there, but they've really stacked the cards against themselves through a season that I can only describe as a frustrating mix of pissing and moaning.
When I read fans wanting Backlund to wear the C and retire here it makes my eyes bleed.
Look at the team's traits overall. Now look at Backlund's traits. Unfortunately he is the perfect captain to align with what we're seeing.
Now compile a list of 3rd line centers and tell me Backlund is even top 5. I'm not getting the love-in.
IF we want to see changes, I'm of the mind that it starts with him. I don't like the team's identity most seasons, if there even is one. It most closely resembles his throughout his long tenure. Last year he had a month of being fire and I was sold. But it fell back to his career mean, and that's not enough, or you could get Pius Suter to do it cheaper with the same effect and not over rate him.