Some ideas on what the Calgary Flames should be looking to improve or change in the new year
Welcome to 2025. With the new year upon us, many fans will be making their resolutions. Calgary Flames GM Craig Conroy should be no different, although some of his resolutions may be a little less personal.
The top of the list for Conroy? Figure out what this team is. The Flames started the year on fire, quickly getting into a playoff position after being written off by many in the public before the year even began.
Fast forward to now, and the Flames are scratching and clawing to stay in the wildcard hunt. The Flames are still in a retooling phase and want to get younger while looking toward the future. It will be important that even if this team gets into a playoff position, Conroy doesn't make a move that could jeopardize that future vision.
Speaking of making a move, Resolution 2: find that center. Conroy has not been shy in telling people what he's after, a top six center who fits the team's needs and can play in Calgary for a number of years.
Essentially, the GM is looking for a younger player, preferably even with team control. Could that answer be the potentially available Dylan Cozens of the Buffalo Sabres? Maybe, but with the trade deadline approaching, other teams might bow out of a losing battle for playoffs and more players could become available who aren't in discussion now.
While Conroy's resolutions are related to player management, the team should have some, too. Biggest priority for them is to fix the faceoffs. Highlighted by a 0-11 period in the dot against the Boston Bruins a few weeks ago, the Flames have struggled in this area all year. With a 44.6 faceoff win percentage over the holidays, they sat among the worst in the league.
Another resolution to work on for the roster and Flames head coach Ryan Huska is the penalty kill. The penalty kill has been an issue all year, and ahead of their New Year's Eve matchup, they ranked 29th in the league with 72.6 percent. There had been signs of improvement, though. The last nine powerplays against before going 50% against the Canucks, they killed off eight successfully. So there is some promise they could improve in this area.
With the new year beginning, teams will start to face facts of whether playoffs are in their future for this year or the next. The Flames are hanging around in a tight wildcard race in the Western Conference. If Conroy and the team can't stick to their resolutions, the season could be a lost one.