Amidst the off-ice elements to be solved, there are plenty of on-ice developments to watch in Calgary
After the longest off-season in recent years — both in actual days and in terms of upheaval — the Calgary Flames are ready to hit the ice for training camp on Thursday.
While there are plenty of off-ice matters to be decided, mainly contract situations for a half-dozen key players who may become free agents next summer, nobody can miss the change in atmosphere and enthusiasm compared to the dismal 2022-23 campaign.
With Wednesday’s medicals and fitness testing in the books, the Flames have 64 players (35 forwards, 22 defensemen and seven goalies in three separate groups) scheduled to hit the ice.
Plenty can change over the next few weeks, which will include eight pre-season games (with the first one on Sunday), before the Oct. 11 season opener at home to the Winnipeg Jets.
Other items undoubtedly will crop up before the season begins, but here are a half-dozen aspects of the coming camp we’re watching closely.
Do Coronato and Pelletier claim a spot?
Looking at the Flames right now, it’s fair to say both right winger Matt Coronato and left winger Jakob Pelletier are pencilled into the opening day roster. While the Flames are adamant about injecting more youth into the lineup, neither of the rookies are guaranteed a position. So, the onus will be on them to grab a spot. Although there are no veterans in camp on a tryout basis, it won’t be hard for the Flames to find a depth player should one or both of Pelletier and Coronato fail to earn a place.
Who skates with Huberdeau?
Calgary’s highest-paid player, left winger Jonathan Huberdeau, has plenty to prove after last year’s disappointing 55-point season. There are plenty of reasons to assume he will bounce back, even if it’s simply to around one-point-per-game. What remains to be seen is where Huberdeau fits in the lineup. The first instinct is to put him with Elias Lindholm at center, but Huberdeau’s biggest success in the past has come with an uber-quick linemate to create space for him to work. Our guess is newcomer Yegor Sharangovich is given a lengthy look on right wing to see what chemistry they can build.
How does Kylington’s return pan out?
After missing all of last season while he dealt with “mental and psychological problems” defenseman Oliver Kylington is back. Kylington, who collected nine goals and 31 points in a very strong 2021-22 season, has mainly been a third-pairing blueliner, and could very well start there again, but all it will take is an injury or trade and he’ll have a golden chance to be in a top-four role. With his skating ability, Kylington should be able to get up to speed quickly. A year away could have a negative impact, but being in a better place mentally could easily outweigh that potential issue.
Who is the fourth-line center?
Yes, this may seem to be a small role, but it is an important element and would be indicative of what’s transpired. The Flames have a trio of excellent centers in Lindholm, Nazem Kadri and Mikael Backlund, but who plays on the wings on those three lines is up in the air. So much will depend on how Coronato, Pelletier, Sharangovich, Andrew Mangiapane and Dillon Dube fare. If everybody plays up to snuff, Dube could end up the fourth-line center. If not, the Flames may need him on a wing in the top three lines. That could leave the likes of Adam Ruzicka, Ben Jones, Kevin Rooney and maybe even Connor Zary in the middle of the fourth line.
How does the goaltending picture come into focus?
With top prospect Dustin Wolf not requiring waivers to be sent to the AHL Wranglers, it would surprise nobody if the Flames open the season with Jacob Markstrom as the starter, while looking to bounce back from his struggles last season, and Dan Vladar serving as the backup. That said, all it takes is an injury or trade — both very real possibilities — and any plan goes out the window.
Who will be the training camp surprise?
One of the great things about training camp is seeing a player turn heads in a positive way. It does not always result in making the opening-night roster, but very often means improved chances to be summoned from the minors. Since the Flames legitimately have open spots, the odds of a camp surprise is increased. Maybe Cole Schwindt, the other player acquired in the Matthew Tkachuk trade, is that guy. Or Adam Klapka builds on an impressive Young Stars performance. Or Rooney, almost a forgotten man at times, re-asserts himself. There are plenty of candidates.
