I am less concerned about Parekh. My expectation is that he should be on track for ~42 games this season. When I look at the opening schedule and start picking games, I would likely think this for deploying Parekh:
Oilers - Sit
Canucks - In
Blues - In
VGK - Sit
Mammoth - In
VGK - Sit
Jets (home) - In
Canadiens - In
Jets (road) - Sit
Rangers - In
Leafs - Sit
Sens - In
The fans that are setting expectations as Parekh having a "82 game Calder trophy season" need to dial it back a bit. Hutson is 2 full years older than Parekh and did his rookie season at 20 instead of 19 (at 19, Hutson played 2 games).
Looking at the lineup, I am more concerned about Andersson's deployment. If he gets deployed with Bahl in the same shutdown role as last season where he is primarily playing with Backlund's line... that is not going to help him put up points or change the narrative of last season.
The tricky part can be the typical strategy NHL coaches employ with rosters where they keep the same roster after a win. It can make it hard for players to get back into the line up if the team does well. I would think that Conroy has had a conversation with Huska at some point since he was made head coach that young players have to play - they can’t spend a month eating popcorn.
If the flames beat Edmonton (yes please), I could see Parekh sitting out against the Canucks unless there is an injury or Pachal really struggles. I think Parekh would get into the lineup against St. Louis though even if they beat Vancouver as well. They could control his matchups a little more at home and shelter him a bit.
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These first few games could be ugly. Flames season truly begins at home against the Blues where hopefully the injured players are back and Parekh is in the lineup.
I already wanted to see Gridin do awesome, but now I really want to see him dominate. I want to see what they do when Huberdeau and/or Pospisil are back and they have to decide to make room for Gridin or not.
He's probably one of the most purely skilled guys we've drafted in a while. Once he fills out his 6'1 frame a little he's going to really be hard to beat when he strides toward the net on his off wing. I love his ability to hold onto the puck as well.
These first few games could be ugly. Flames season truly begins at home against the Blues where hopefully the injured players are back and Parekh is in the lineup.
come on now they can win at least one of the first two
