Three breakout candidates in Calgary

A look at which Flames have the best opportunity to reach the next level

Predicting a bounce-back season for Jonathan Huberdeau is a slam-dunk. Same thing goes for Jacob Markstrom.

Looking at the Calgary Flames with training camp just around the corner, it is easy to believe their top-line left winger and number-one goaltender will be back to form after their disastrous 2022-23 campaign. Same thing goes for defenseman MacKenzie Weegar and forward Andrew Mangiapane. Barring injuries, Huberdeau should surpass 80 points, Markstrom will post a goals-against average and save percentage along the lines of his career average, 2.72 and .909, Weegar will hit the 40-point mark, at least, and Manigapane will tally around 30 goals.

But which Flames players could have “breakout” seasons?

Here are the best three candidates.

Dillon Dube

Having carded consecutive 18-goal seasons, Dube, 25, is primed to reach the 25-goal mark, maybe even push for 30. With the Flames staring at a substantial turnover, right now Dube is their lone candidate to step into a second- or third-line center role. He is also capable of playing on the wing and moving up and down the lineup.

Dube was on the receiving end of plenty of tough love under former head coach Darryl Sutter, but is a better two-way player because of it, and capable of reaching a new level under new bench boss Ryan Huska.

Oliver Kylington

After missing all of last season to deal with “mental and psychological problems”, Kylington is back with the club and in a far superior head space. That is great news on so many levels.

Kylington, 26, had something a breakout campaign in 2021-22, when the slick-skating defenseman netted nine goals and 31 points. The Flames sorely missed him last season, and will be a better squad with Kylington’s ability to lead and join a rush. A 40-plus point season is not out of the question before he can become an unrestricted free agent.

Adam Ruzicka

Ruzicka, 24, had a tale of two seasons in his first full NHL campaign. He netted six goals and 20 points in the first 25 games he played, but failed to garner a single point in his final 19 games and was a healthy scratch down the stretch.

The 6-foot-4, 215-pound left wing, who is likely in the mix for the fourth-line center job, has all the tools to be a strong forward presence. A new coach should help him, as should the motivation of becoming a restricted free agent following this season. Certainly, this is a pivotal season for him.