Calgary Wranglers 2024–25 season thread

[Goriders]

Weird that all 3 playoff games are in coachella. With a big break between games 1 and 2.

AHL has some really weird playoff formats.

[Freeway]

First round structure (all three games in higher seed's building) is designed to minimize travel costs.


Break between games is because of concerts at the Firebirds' arena.

(Ontario is playing first two games in their series in LA because of Disney On Ice in Ontario.)

[Reggie Dunlop]

Simon Mack appears to have gained coach Trent Cull's confidence, being used on the top defensive pairing with Yan Kuzetsnov and in key situations.

That "Amateur Try-Out" could become more permanent.

[Canada 02]

Just like that the season is over again at the hands of the Firebirds

Easy to say in hindsight, but winning the last game of the regular season moved the Wranglers up in the standings, so they played Coachella, and San Jose got to play Ontario. San Jose swept the Reign tonight

Wranglers didn’t have a great record against the Reign either, but they are not their kryptonite the was the Firebirds are. That last regular season win probably hurt more than helped

[getbak]

[dino7c]

pretty dumb playoff format

[BagoPucks]

Tough ending. Hopefully the flames young guys take it as a learning. It was a relatively depleted roster so I actually am happy for the team that they made the playoffs.

[Johnny Makarov]

AHL is a joke of a league. If you can't afford to fly a team 3 hours to their destination you should not be in business.

[BagoPucks]

I am sorry, i understand the upset after the day we have been eliminated and it is warranted as the beloved baby flames didnt get the home support in the playoffs. imo AHL is the best developmental league in the world for the NHL. They do a lot with very little and that is almost harder than doing what the NHL does.

[Reggie Dunlop]

The job of an AHL to to ready prospects for the NHL team. In that regard, we're finally starting to see a steady flow of players graduate to the Flames. Playoff success, while great, is secondary.

I recall the Calder Cup winning Saint John Flames who failed to develop useful NHL players, let alone stars.

[868904]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

The job of an AHL to to ready prospects for the NHL team. In that regard, we're finally starting to see a steady flow of players graduate to the Flames. Playoff success, while great, is secondary.

I recall the Calder Cup winning Saint John Flames who failed to develop useful NHL players, let alone stars.

Chris Clark and Montador were big contributors to the SJ Flames and the 2004 flames teams. Steve Begin was AHL playoff mvp that year and was part of the package to acquire Rhett Warrener and Reinprecht.

The 2004 Flames team also had Lombardi, Kobasew, Saprykin, Commodore and Leopold who also toiled for the SJ Flames.

No stars but SJ Flames developed some very good players.

[Badgers Nose]

For the folks that follow the Wranglers closely, who do you expect to make big strides next season? Who will push for a Flames roster spot? Who is trending up?

[ICRed]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

For the folks that follow the Wranglers closely, who do you expect to make big strides next season? Who will push for a Flames roster spot? Who is trending up?

Sadly one of the biggest overall improvements this year was Ignatjew, who has now committed to go back to Europe. Should have stuck with it as I think he was trending a lot like David Rittich did in his first year in the AHL. He was by far the best option in between the pipes post Christmas.

Bruz was starting to look real steady and reliable at the end of the year. Massive strides on his development. He will never be big but he was notably winning a lot more puck battles in the corner and his first pass out of the zone is exactly as advertised.

Kerins far and away is my choice to push for the big club next year. Guy is beast. He has such a fast release on his shot. More importantly for his role in the NHL, he grinds so effectively on the cycle and the work rate-battle level is exceptional. Hes not shying away from contact and can give as much as he can take. Rory strikes me as a high IQ forward. Maybe not the raw talent of some but his decision making is up there.

Just my thoughts. I'd be curious to know what others think

[DuckSauce]

Without having actually watched at Wranglers games this year I wonder if the Flames will look to have a competition between Honzek, Stromgren, and Kerins to see who gets to play with Backlund and Coleman. Maybe the desire to give Honzek a sophomore year playing in the AHL at Centre will make it more of a competition between Kerins and Stromgren.

I really hope one or both of Kuz and Solo can take the next step.

[Groot]

Players I hope to see as regulars on the Flames next season.

Klapka
Brzustewicz
Kerins
Solovyov

Players I hope to see get a look and possibly push for a regular NHL spot.

Honzek
Stromgren
Kuznetsov
Grushnikov
Poirier

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by DuckSauce

Without having actually watched at Wranglers games this year I wonder if the Flames will look to have a competition between Honzek, Stromgren, and Kerins to see who gets to play with Backlund and Coleman. Maybe the desire to give Honzek a sophomore year playing in the AHL at Centre will make it more of a competition between Kerins and Stromgren.

I really hope one or both of Kuz and Solo can take the next step.

Kerins has to improve his footspeed. He clearly thinks the game well, but boy he moves slow compared to NHLers.

[fotze2]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

Kerins has to improve his footspeed. He clearly thinks the game well, but boy he moves slow compared to NHLers.

Oh here comes the Danielle Fujita nonsense.

[AustinL_NHL]

"nonsense" is a wild way to disrespect Fujita and the miracles she's been able to work

[FBI]

Originally Posted by fotze2

Oh here comes the Danielle Fujita nonsense.

Quoted for after summer when Fujita gets her hands on Rory..

[Funkhouser]

Originally Posted by AustinL_NHL

"nonsense" is a wild way to disrespect Fujita and the miracles she's been able to work

I heard she is on the short list for the Papacy.