32 in (roughly) 32 Season Preview: Calgary Flames

Flames hope huge off-season additions can be the X-factor needed to win it all

Team: Calgary Flames

GM: Vince Brzostowski

Power Ranking Placement: 1/32 in league, 1/8 in division, 1/16 in conference

Significant Additions:

Connor McDavid, C/W - 96 OV

Elias Lindholm, C/W - 90 OV

Jonathan Toews, C/W - 86 OV

Jamie Drysdale, D - 77 OV

Adam Ruzicka, C/W - 77 OV

Significant Subtractions:

Jordan Kyrou, C/W - 86 OV

Bo Horvat, C/W - 86 OV

Bryan Rust, C/W - 86 OV

Nick Suzuki, C/W - 85 OV

Quinn Hughes, D - 83 OV

Ty Young, G - Prospect

Mikko Koivu, C/W - Retired

Shea Weber, D - Injured? Retired? Idk whatever the case may be, he gone

Offseason grade: A+

Now, the Calgary Flames lost a lot of their core players from last year. Their entire top line, a top 2 pairing defenseman, some other middle/bottom 6 players, etc. They still get an A+ though, because I mean, they got Connor McDavid without paying an arm and a leg. Not that Kyrou, Suzuki, and Hughes aren’t a lot, they certainly are, but considering Calgary also got Elias Lindholm in the same trade, that was pretty massive for them. In fact, it’s exactly why I ranked them as the top team in the league. In my opinion, I can’t give Calgary anything but an A+ when they went from being a top 15 team to being arguably the number 1 team in the league. They may have lost some forward depth, but it hardly matters when your top 9 looks the way this team’s does. Forwards aside, their defense is stellar and should only get better over time, and they have arguably the best tandem in the league. Not only that, but despite trading Suzuki, Hughes, and Kyrou, they still have a lot to look forward with a relatively young roster in addition to Lafreniere, Drysdale, Cozens, Perunovich, Heinola, McIsaac, etc. They are in a good spot to compete now and they should be in a great spot to compete for many more years to come. 

Projected Lineup: 

Lindholm - McDavid - Mangiapane

Jenner - Toews - Iafallo

Stutzle - Bennett - Barbashev

Dube - Girgensons - Ruzicka

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Pietrangelo - McAvoy

Tanev - Andersson

Keith - Kylington

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Marc-Andre Fleury

Thatcher Demko

Quote from the GM:

We talked to GM Vince Brzostowski regarding the upcoming season, and he had this to say: "It's nice to see the Flames being favoured this season and I believe we are a strong contender but SJ is still the team to beat, and it's going to be a real battle in the Pacific between SJ, LA, Vegas, and the Flames, and you never know about Anaheim as Dan continues to improve them leaps and bounds."

Season Expectations: Cup Favourites

I’ve already spoken about how I believe the Flames are the best team in the league, though Vince seems to disagree with that sentiment. What a humble guy! He is correct in saying that it’ll be competitive in the Pacific with the 5 teams he mentioned, but I personally do think there’s a very distinct top 3 in the pacific, that being Calgary, San Jose, and Los Angeles. The 3 will be competing for the top spot and it despite the fact that I believe Calgary is #1, the top 3 spots really could go any way between those 3. Regardless, I don’t have much more to say that I haven’t already said. With one of the best forward groups in the league, one of the best defense groups in the league, and one of the best goalie tandems in the league, they’ll have no troubles getting into the playoffs and should be considered a favourite to win the DCHL cup this year and for many more years to come.

Tomorrow, we’ll be taking a look at the Carolina Hurricanes. Thank you for reading, and have a wonderful day!

Previous entries:

Anaheim Ducks: https://dchl.ca/articles/senators/32-in-roughly-32-season-preview-anaheim-ducks

Arizona Coyotes: https://dchl.ca/articles/senators/32-in-roughly-32-sesaon-preview-arizona-coyotes

Boston Bruins: https://dchl.ca/articles/senators/32-in-roughly-32-season-preview-boston-bruins

Buffalo Sabres: https://dchl.ca/articles/senators/32-in-roughly-32-season-preview-buffalo-sabres