Top storylines heading into the season

[theslymonkey]

Originally Posted by united

Hmmmmm did I possibly miss this? Big, if true.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1968064867702808647

25? What?

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

Which Flame will be this year's whipping boy?

Should start a separate thread for this

[Jiri Hrdina]

I think a league wide story is going to be the pending UFA crop. The list is quite something: McDavid, Kaprizov, Connor, Eichel, Panarin, Makar, Robertson.

Now some of those guys will sign, but I think there is the element of the rising cap, which may mean more of these guys want to test the water. Which could also have a trickle down impact on trade activity, if the big clubs, all are trying to build a war chest for a premium player.

[Yanda]

Originally Posted by FBI

Here are some of the storylines I'm excited to follow for this season:

#1. How good is Parekh? Will this stupid injury stuff hamper him off the start?
#2. Who is Klapka? Is he #1 line driving force player, or 4th line agitator player..
#3. Wolf's Sophomore season, sophomore slump? Or continued awesomeness..
#4. Foutrh line center rotations.. Morton? King? Kirkland? Zary?
#5. Will Honzek stick this time? fingers crossed
#6. Who will bounce back after a mediocre season? Farabee? Pospisil? Sharangovich?
#7. Can Coronato score 30/35/40?
#8. Was Kirkland's shootout stuff a flash in the pan, or will he do it again this year?
#9. When will Andersson be traded, this one is getting stale, but still super important.. Will he regress/be a distraction?
#10. Who will our backup goalie be?
Oh and #11. Will McD continue to not sign?

Any other storylines you guys are excited for?

1. Parekh wont miss any of training camp, I dont see any excuses. I dont expect Lane Hutson type rookie numbers, will likely play 3rd line minutes with PP1 time.

2. Klapka is a bottom 6 agitating winger, there is no evidence to support him being an all-star calibre power forward.. weird question

3. Wolf was heavily sheltered last year and I think many people forget just how many of the hard starts Vladar took on. With or without Anderssons -30~ +/- I see the team taking a bit of a step back. The Come-Back Flames is unsustainable and I see Wolf putting up a good season but unrealistic to think he will put up an All-star season in year 2.

4. Who cares, replacement level player.. so whoever is hot and not being a defensive liability. No reason to include Zary, hes playing more than 10-12 minutes a night even as a center.

5. I dont see the immediate roster spot, one of Farabee, Sharangovich, Coleman or Klapka would almost need to lose there roster spot at this point. I guess if Klapka has a bad camp or if multiple people are injured. Who exactly would he be playing instead of?? Better off on the Wranglers getting used to his new frame than splitting 4th line time with Lomberg/Klapka.

6. I dont see Pospisil falling off like Duehr/Jooris. The amount of hits he got last season is encouraging and he seems to train hard in the off-season, I think he was working out with Honzek but maybe im wrong. I dont see him getting more than 30-40 points but he doesnt need any more to be an effective player on this team. I actually see Sharangovich falling off again this year, the length of that contract was desperate and a huge mistake. Dont see Farabee being around after this contract, need space for Honzek, Gridin ect.

7. Coronato can be a 60-70+ point player this year. He is going to get alot more ice time, and higher quality ice time.

8. I think Kirkland will still get some shootout goals when hes in the lineup, but I dont think the streak he went on is realistic.

9. Hopefully asap, if were going to miss the playoffs we need those McKenna points.

10. I dont think he will make the team out of camp but I see Cooley being the backup come December. The team sure has loaded up on minor league goalies, if they actually want to develop Sergeev they need him playing.

11. Hopefully, the only things I want to see more than McDavid leaving Edmonton is seeing Chicago/Pittsburgh not get McKenna.

[Yanda]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

backup goalie is going to have a big impact. With the condensed Olympic schedule, the backup might need to play 25+ games.

Assuming 25 starts:

backup plays .500, gets 25 pts, Wolf will need to play .632 for the Flames to get to 97 pts

backup plays .400, gets 20 pts, Wolf will need to play .675 for the Flames to get to 97 pts

Vladdy played 29 games and was 1 point over .500.

I think your forgetting how many tough matchups Vladar protected Wolf in last year. Vladar was getting Colorado, Vegas and Dallas while Wolf was getting all the easy starts. Hes probably going to be a 890%-900% Goaltender with a 2.85 GAA this season with more exposure and an argueably weaker defense when Rasmus moves on.

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

I think a league wide story is going to be the pending UFA crop. The list is quite something: McDavid, Kaprizov, Connor, Eichel, Panarin, Makar, Robertson.

Now some of those guys will sign, but I think there is the element of the rising cap, which may mean more of these guys want to test the water. Which could also have a trickle down impact on trade activity, if the big clubs, all are trying to build a war chest for a premium player.

Makar's contract is up in '27.

[D as in David]

It wouldn't be a Flames season without some people banging on the "mushy middle" narrative.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by united

Hmmmmm did I possibly miss this? Big, if true.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1968064867702808647

Originally Posted by theslymonkey

25? What?

It looks like it, because all other player were wearing their actual jersey numbers. The Flames website still has Weegar listed a #52.

It would be a bit strange if he switched now.

Weegar's Jersey Numbers:
Flames #52
Panthers #52
Thunderbirds #52
Pirates #2
Cyclones #55
Rampage #52
Mooseheads #52
Raiders #52(retired Weegar's number in 24').

[ForeverFlameFan]

Spoiler!

#1. How good is Parekh? Will this stupid injury stuff hamper him off the start?
#2. Who is Klapka? Is he #1 line driving force player, or 4th line agitator player..
#3. Wolf's Sophomore season, sophomore slump? Or continued awesomeness..
#4. Foutrh line center rotations.. Morton? King? Kirkland? Zary?
#5. Will Honzek stick this time? fingers crossed
#6. Who will bounce back after a mediocre season? Farabee? Pospisil? Sharangovich?
#7. Can Coronato score 30/35/40?
#8. Was Kirkland's shootout stuff a flash in the pan, or will he do it again this year?
#9. When will Andersson be traded, this one is getting stale, but still super important.. Will he regress/be a distraction?
#10. Who will our backup goalie be?
#11. Will McD continue to not sign?

1. Extremely good. Best franchise-level defenseman selection since Phaneuf, but better. I don’t think the injuries will hamper him, however, he will need to be heavily sheltered at first. 3rd pairing, PP2.

2. Klapka is an interesting case. I think he moves up and down the lineup, comfortably having me pencil him as a 3RW. Reminds me of when Pospisil was being moved up and down. I see the same thing.

3. I don’t think there’s a massive sophomore slump, but I don’t see an absolute star season either. We won’t be the worse scoring team for a good chunk of the season, but I bet teams are also trying to figure out Wolf’s weaknesses.

4. Zary is too good for 4C. Better off as 2LW and there for an injury at center. I like the 4C as a spot for competition. You’ve got Kirkland, Morton, King, Honzek, and Kerins that could all play it. Also maybe Pospisil getting reps.

5. Not quite. Still needs some heavy seasoning, but the development is there. I think he sticks full time next season. Should get some games as a call up.

6. It’s GOTTA be Farabee. Easiest answer to give imo. Brutal, snakebitten numbers in Calgary. Another answer is Rasmus. I truly think he has a major bounce back too, and then it comes down to either signing with us or trading him prior to TDL day.

7. Coronato is more than capable of hitting 30 goals. I’ll say 30-34 goals, and barely misses 60 points.

8. I think Costco will be utilized on the shootout, but I do believe it was a flash in the pan. I certainly hope I’m wrong.

9. If traded, I think it will be around a timeline when a top end defenseman around the league goes down. I’m thinking around when Lindholm was traded, January-ish. Maybe sooner.

10. It’s Prosvetov’s job to lose. If he’s costing us games, Cooley will get a look.

11. Yes. The only way he is signing anything in Edmonton is a cheap 2-3 year deal at the last second prior to UFA. That 7/8 year deal Edmonton fans dream of is out the window. As of right now, I have little reason to assume he extends. He’s going to let the whole league salivate at grabbing him. He can play wherever he wants.

[Sec214]

Spoiler!

#1. How good is Parekh? Will this stupid injury stuff hamper him off the start?
#2. Who is Klapka? Is he #1 line driving force player, or 4th line agitator player..
#3. Wolf's Sophomore season, sophomore slump? Or continued awesomeness..
#4. Foutrh line center rotations.. Morton? King? Kirkland? Zary?
#5. Will Honzek stick this time? fingers crossed
#6. Who will bounce back after a mediocre season? Farabee? Pospisil? Sharangovich?
#7. Can Coronato score 30/35/40?
#8. Was Kirkland's shootout stuff a flash in the pan, or will he do it again this year?
#9. When will Andersson be traded, this one is getting stale, but still super important.. Will he regress/be a distraction?
#10. Who will our backup goalie be?
#11. Will McD continue to not sign?

1. Start the season getting eased in 10-15 Minutes a night include PP2 Time by the end of the year he'll be playing 20+ minutes a night running the power play. He's a undeniable offensive force and he will prove it early.

2. Top 9 Power forward. 15 goals, 40 Points. Defensive game is coming. Will see hopefully earn some PP time this year.

3. Impossible - Wolf will be a top 5 goalie in the NHL his entire career. No slumps, just some #### nights like any goalie - clutch when it matters.

4. Kirkland job to lose, Morton will push. I think Zary replaces Backlund offensive starts at points this season or If one of the top 3 C get hurt.

5. Honzek will get sent down.

6. Sharangovich hopefully or we have a bit of a awkward situation on our hands.

7. 30-40, 33.5 is my guess.

8. Doesn't matter... SO are bad for the game, give me 10mins 3 on 3.

9. **NOT INSIDER INFORMATION**
Andersson this is a tough one, I love the player - I think he's a big part of that locker room. If he wants to stay here, I'm fine on short term bigger AAV but the data say go hit the home run and he will. He starts the season improved and I think traded before the Olympic break. He does make team Sweden.

Peak value IMO has passed but retaining and market for 25/26 are undetermined.

10. Prosvetov, 30~ games maybe. 905 SV%.

11. F Edmonton, He's walking.

[YyjFlames]

Originally Posted by Yanda

I think your forgetting how many tough matchups Vladar protected Wolf in last year. Vladar was getting Colorado, Vegas and Dallas while Wolf was getting all the easy starts. Hes probably going to be a 890%-900% Goaltender with a 2.85 GAA this season with more exposure and an argueably weaker defense when Rasmus moves on.

Looked at the game logs and they both had roughly the same proportion of starts against teams that went to the playoffs. I think where this talking point got started is that Calgary and Dustin wolf struggled in February and March and Vladar saw more action in March against some tougher competition to alleviate the load (or quite possibly to showcase him for a potential trade).

But Wolf turned it around for the final playoff drive and got all but the last start, in April, finishing that month 5-1-2 with decent numbers.

It’s possible that with a weaker backup, Wolf doesn’t get a break if he needs it and his numbers suffer, but the guy is mentally strong. Doubt he drops below .900 unless the team’s defence takes a huge step back.

[AC]

Originally Posted by united

hmmmmm did i possibly miss this? Big, if true.

Flames response:

https://twitter.com/user/status/1968069239803437090

[Wolven]

I think the biggest question for me is going to be how hard will it be for Andersson to keep things professional and not let the situation become a distraction with Francis asking about it 5 times per day?

Kidding...

I hope the biggest story is about the youth movement picking up speed and pushing Conroy to make more deals.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

I think a league wide story is going to be the pending UFA crop. The list is quite something: McDavid, Kaprizov, Connor, Eichel, Panarin, Makar, Robertson.

Now some of those guys will sign, but I think there is the element of the rising cap, which may mean more of these guys want to test the water. Which could also have a trickle down impact on trade activity, if the big clubs, all are trying to build a war chest for a premium player.

If I'm the Flames and there's a chance for a superstar overpay, regardless of position I seriously consider it. You have to look at our absolutely solid prospect base with literally zero elite forwards and our likelihood to be too good to bottom out. Pay $13-$16mil for a superstar and see what we can do with this build.

We're heading into an unprecedented period where we have tons of cap space and the cap is rising very dramatically. Trading for an elite talent is insanely hard in this league, so if you can just pay $3mil too much per year for a first line superstar? F***ing do it!.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by D as in David

It wouldn't be a Flames season without some people banging on the "mushy middle" narrative.

Yeah, luckily there's no precedent for those idiots and their complaining.

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by AC

Flames response:

https://twitter.com/user/status/1968069239803437090

Strange response, nobody else wore 25

[AC]

Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus

Strange response, nobody else wore 25

But nobody else in the video is shown having their official portrait being taken, they're in full equipment filming on-ice promo stuff.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Some additional story lines that I am looking at this season:

• Will the Flames lose a player to waivers? Will they claim one?
• Hot or cold start? I think the start will decide the season.
• Backup - who will it be, how good will he be, and how many games will he play?
• Coleman - Deadline trade, or re-sign?
• Huska - entering the year without a deal. How quickly does he get extended, or does he move on?
• Does Kadri regress? Or does he continue flipping father time the bird?
• If the Flames do end up bottoming-out, does Conroy declare a rebuild, or just go about things as he has been (which IMO is rebuilding without saying it).
• How will the defence hold up this year overall - pre and post Andersson?

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by jayswin

If I'm the Flames and there's a chance for a superstar overpay, regardless of position I seriously consider it. You have to look at our absolutely solid prospect base with literally zero elite forwards and our likelihood to be too good to bottom out. Pay $13-$16mil for a superstar and see what we can do with this build.

We're heading into an unprecedented period where we have tons of cap space and the cap is rising very dramatically. Trading for an elite talent is insanely hard in this league, so if you can just pay $3mil too much per year for a first line superstar? F***ing do it!.

The problem with the Flames overpaying for a superstar is that the Flames are likely some years away from being a true contender, and most if not all UFA's of that category are going to me 30 or so, and their timeline will likely not fit the Flames timeline. Not yet anyway. Maybe in a few years.

And supperstars at that stage will likely cost more than $13-16M.

[Goriders]

I think they are going to go free agent hunting the summer before the new arena opens. Until then I think the young guys will get as much rope as they need to develop. I also think Conroy will continue with the plan of rolling old guys out and backfilling with young players or journeymen on short contracts.

I would bet Andersson due to contract impass and Coleman go this year.