Flames Set to Ignite Youth Movement This Season
The Calgary Flames are poised to start the season with a roster mirroring last season’s strong finish, signaling a continued emphasis on developing young talent within the organization.
Roster Stability and Youth Focus
After an uneventful off-season, the Flames are banking on momentum. They aim to integrate younger players into the lineup, building upon a season where they tied an NHL record with 96 points but missed the playoffs.
The team is committed to providing opportunities for young players to develop and make an impact.
Key Roster Questions
One of the biggest questions remains the future of Rasmus Andersson. A potential trade of Andersson would significantly impact ice time and pairings, especially for the team’s exciting prospect, Zayne Parekh.
Parekh, drafted ninth overall in 2024, is expected to start the season with the team. He made a memorable debut last year, scoring a goal in his first and only NHL game.
Forwards: Internal Competition Heats Up
General Manager Craig Conroy hopes another prospect can emulate Sam Honzek’s success from last year by earning a roster spot out of training camp.
Here’s a look at the projected forward lines:
Jonathan Huberdeau – Nazem Kadri – Matt Coronato
Joel Farabee – Morgan Frost – Yegor Sharangovich
Ryan Lomberg – Justin Kirkland – Martin Pospisil
Players like Sam Honzek, Sam Morton, and Dryden Hunt are also in contention.
The team also has questions about player deployment: Will Connor Zary play center? Can Klapka become a top-six forward? Pospisil could also see time at center or in the top six.
According to a recent NHL report, teams with strong forward depth are more likely to make deep playoff runs (NHL.com).
Defense: Andersson’s Status Looms Large
Here’s a look at the projected defensive pairings:
MacKenzie Weegar – Rasmus Andersson
Kevin Bahl – Zayne Parekh
Joel Hanley – Brayden Pachal
Possible extras include Jake Bean and Daniil Miromanov, with Ilya Solovyov and Hunter Brzustewicz also vying for a spot.
Andersson’s situation will significantly influence the pairings. If he remains with the team, he could partner with Weegar. Bahl and Parekh showed promise as a pairing last season.
Goaltending: Wolf’s Opportunity
Ivan Prosvetov is also in contention for a spot in net.
Wolf aims to increase his playing time this year. The departure of Dan Vladar opens the door for him to potentially exceed 60 starts.
Cap Situation and Off-Season Priorities
The Flames’ current cap situation breaks down as follows:
Total forward cap hits: $54.5 million
Total defence cap hits: $22.08 million
Total goalie cap hits: $1.62 million
Cap space remaining: $15.41 million
The team has several off-season priorities:
1. Trade Rasmus Andersson: The Flames would prefer to trade Andersson before the season starts to avoid injury risk. General Manager Conroy is committed to maximizing the return for the sought-after defenseman.
2. Sign Connor Zary: Expect a two-year bridge deal for the young player to increase his value after an injury-filled season.
3. Finalize signings of other RFAs: The Flames have extended qualifying offers to Rory Kerins, Morton, Yan Kuznetsov, and Jeremie Poirier.
Off-Season Grade: B-minus
The Flames’ off-season earned a B-minus grade.
Conroy’s patience in avoiding overspending on veterans to block young players is commendable.
Drafting centers was a success, addressing a key organizational need. However, the team missed an opportunity to secure a proven NHL backup goalie to support Wolf.
