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Calgary Flames

MoneyPuck Picking Flames to Win Cup

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Nazem Kadri, NHL, Calgary Flames
Steve Macfarlane, CHN

Calgary Flames GM was asked if he adhered to Moneyball management earlier this week. Now MoneyPuck is pointing to his Flames as the most likely to lift the Stanley Cup at the end of this season.

The website that posts everything from power rankings to analytics and live odds produces a graphic showing the percentage odds of each team’s likelihood to advance — and ultimately win — in the NHL playoffs. This year’s version gives the Flames the best chance to claim the Cup at 8.3 per cent. The defending Cup champion Colorado Avalanche sit second at eight flat. The Toronto Maple Leafs tied for third with the Florida Panthers at 7.3 per cent.

Interestingly enough, the Calgary Flames borrowed from all their competitors’ rosters. They signed former Maple Leafs draft pick Nazem Kadri to a massive deal in free agency. That came on the heels of his Cup run with the Avalanche last spring. And in the Matthew Tkachuk deal, the Flames added Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar from the Florida Panthers.

The Panthers claimed the Presidents’ Trophy as the NHL team with the most regular-season points a year ago. The Avs won the Cup. But it’s the Calgary Flames as the odds-on favourite on MoneyPuck.

For those interested, the Edmonton Oilers have a 4.9 per cent shot at the Cup by their metrics. And yes, we remember they beat the Flames in five games during the second round just a few months back.

It’s been a busy offseason for the Calgary Flames. The newcomers are still trying to find their mojo. They get one last tuneup preseason game Friday night against the Winnipeg Jets. The Flames open their regular season hosting the Avalanche next Thursday. With a few decisions still to make, the Flames hope their chemistry at both ends of the ice comes to fruition sooner than later.