The Oiler’s Game is a sad reality of how far away is the flame from being a competitor – Hockey Writer – Calgary Flame

So far, the Stanley Cup final between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers has been absolutely brilliant. These two quickly prove why they have been the two best teams in the NHL over the last two years, as the first two games of this series were incredible hockey, which we haven’t seen throughout the rest of the series.

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While the hockey fans we’ve seen so far in the Stanley Cup final are entertaining for all other fan groups, how far their teams are from being a true contender.

One such fan base feels like that Calgary’s Flame is a big fan. The past two cup finals have been an extra hard pill for swallowing as they are forced to watch the team of featured provincial rival Matthew Tkachuk, a player who essentially refuses to sign long-term deals when he is restricted free agent (RFA).

Flames are everywhere to become a competitor

What makes Flames fans even more painful is that it is obvious that this team is still a long way from getting close to the level of the Oilers or the Black Panthers. Of course, they chose a reshuffle, which means they are always going to be a few years away from fighting, but looking at these two teams, you can’t help but feel that the timeline may be longer.

Flame is a good team before choosing a way to improve, but far from great. Their regular season 2021-22 season was very strong, but was demolished by the Oiler in the second round. Note that a team of oil workers is not as good as it is now.

Both teams are in the true elite center of Connor McDavid and Aleksander Barkov, which is what the flame lacks. There is a third Elite Center in the series, while there are many other superstar talents including Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart and Evan Bouchard.

It’s no surprise that with a lot of star talent, both the Oiler and the Panthers can score at will, and this is the past season where the Flames struggled in huge games. But while they are both elites on the offensive end, they both prove that they are one of two better defensive teams in the NHL. Put both together and you can see clearly why they were in the rematch in the Stanley Cup final.

Neither team will fall soon

What makes the other fan bases in the league (especially the Flames) even more frustrating is that both the Oilers and Panthers have rosters indicating that they will continue to be elites in the coming seasons.

The Panthers do face some problems as their better forward at Sam Bennett will be an unrestricted free agent (UFA), although no one will be surprised to see him having a slight discount to not only stay in an ideal market, but also to get him to play in the Cup year after year.

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As for the oilers, the issues after this season will turn to McDavid’s future, with McDavid’s future still having a year left for a contract. However, it is hard to imagine that the 28-year-old went anywhere else, because no other team gave him a better chance to win everything except the Panthers themselves.

While the flames do seem to be gradually moving towards benefits, it will soon become difficult to become a truly elite team. Whether they can do this remains to be seen, but it won’t be coming soon. Meanwhile, their fans will have to suffer more impressive seasons in the Oilers and Panthers seasons.