Young forward snaps slump and reminds Flames of what they're looking for while dealing away expiring assets

It had been more than a month between goals from Calgary Flames forward Yegor Sharangovich. But when the 25-year-old lefty let loose with his high-slot snapshot for the deciding goal of a 4-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday, it served as a reminder of the Flames’ roadmap to success.

The versatile, 6-foot-2 forward is exactly the kind of player Flames GM Craig Conroy needs to seek out as he seeks the best return for NHL trade deadline targets Chris Tanev and Noah Hanifin.

In addition to the draft capital in the form of picks, the Flames could beef up their sub-26 core with more risk-reward players like Sharangovich — who has made a major impact in Calgary as a key piece of the trade sending last season’s scoring leader Tyler Toffoli to the New Jersey Devils.

Even with a scoreless span of 11 games since his last goal on Jan. 23, Sharangovich has been a critical piece of the Flames offence all season. Tuesday’s goal was his 21^st — three shy of the career high he set as an NHL sophomore.

The signs of a slump-buster have been there throughout the current four-game winning streak.

“Yeah, it's nice,” Sharangovich said post-game. “You know, it's a long time I can't score … but, you know, our line always has chances to score and, yeah, finally we find a way and score.”

Scoring has been a big part of his responsibility, but with Jonathan Huberdeau and Dryden Hunt skating together, there has been more focus on keeping goals-against down, too.

Through the last four games against top competition, Sharangovich hasn’t posted a single negative game, with a plus-three rating and three points to his credit.

He’s adapting to life at centre after the Flames traded away pivot Elias Lindholm.

“I thought he's done a really good job for us since we've asked him to play in the middle of the ice,” said head coach Ryan Huska. “He's been responsible defensively, and that line's developing a little bit of chemistry; in particular him and Jonathan.

“To see him score tonight the way he did was a big moment for our team, for sure, but I know it allowed him to sleep a little better tonight as well.”

Sharangovich has been a stellar addition to a Calgary Flames team in transition. Rookies Connor Zary and Martin Pospisil, and second-year player Jakob Pelletier are the only other forwards between 21 and 26 on the current roster.

Only newcomer Brayden Pachal fits that mould on the back end.

The Flames need more of that as the franchise looks to spark a successful youth movement to surround long-term pieces Huberdeau and Nazem Kadri.

We’ll soon see if Conroy can add more like Sharangovich to the mix.