Calgary Flames: The Wolfman Howls

How are you feeling this morning? Dustin Wolf told everybody but the kitchen sink that he wanted to stay here long-term. He then signs a $7.5 million contract for seven years. The Calgary Flames listened to him and took him up on it, and here we have it: Wolfman’s gonna be here for the next seven years.

Of course, my first reaction is incredible. Woohoo, we have our man! We haven’t had a goalie here since Kipper, but now, the Wolfman is taking over. But then I needed to think this through. Has Wolf earned a 7.5×7 contract? Well, the stats back it up for one year; he was outstanding last season. He was the only reason the Calgary Flames were as good as they were. It’s time to put up or shut up. You have to pay the piper. Meaning, Wolf has earned his money. But what happens if he doesn’t keep it up next year? Then that contract could be a sore spot

. My reaction to that is nothing ventured, nothing gained. We have to keep our core. We have to send a message to our fans: the Calgary Flames aim to keep their men.

Moving on: What if I were to ask you what the Calgary Flames’ most outrageous mistakes were this off-season? I’m sure you have yours. I have mine, and the biggest error this off-season for me is the Rasmus Andersson fiasco. I would have liked to have seen him either signed or traded.

The second issue that’s on my mind is the Calgary Flames’ inability to get a top forward. Where is the offense going to come from? We can’t rely on only Kadri and Huberdeau, can we? I was kind of hoping that we were going to clear that up. Kadri and Huby need some help.

Lastly, I wanted to discuss letting Vladar go. Last season, they took Darth Vladar for granted. Vlader was key to giving Wolf some rest, which was vital to the Flames’ success. Will we have a reliable backup this season? 

Breaking Down the Flames’ Roster

Before we dive into the latest happenings, I can’t help but think about Johnny Gaudreau and everything he did for the team. Wouldn’t it be great if the Flames established a scholarship or organized a fundraiser in his name? Something like “Johnny for Cancer” or another wonderful cause would really honor his legacy. Johnny is known for everything good about this sport, and it would be a perfect way to remember him. Now on to the article.

Today, I’m listening to what is happening before the season starts. The Calgary Flames still have some business to attend to, and we know what that is. We don’t need to discuss that here, as I have another blog here: Flames Scratch Pad: 30% Chance, 100% Drama: Andersson’s Future in Flames

Instead, I would like to discuss a defenceman of a younger caliber. One is probably one of the best rookies the Flames have had since sliced bread. He comes with a lot of hype. I think he is worthy. The young defenseman who has everyone buzzing is Zane Parekh. I know it will be tempting to use Zane in all aspects of the game, but I question that approach. Putting too much pressure on him too early may hurt his development. Zane is only 19 years old and still a rookie. Although Zane is an outstanding hockey player, he is still wet behind the ears. I am from the old school, where you take your time with your rookies. It has been suggested that it takes a defenceman a longer time to develop. It is harder to learn the game for a dman, especially in their own defensive end.

If the Calgary Flames are going to use Zane fully in the lineup, they need a great mentor for him. Enter MacKenzie Weegar stage left. MacKenzie would be the team’s captain if it weren’t for Buckland. Will he be able to train Zane, or, rather, help Zane adapt to the NHL? He’s a terrific defender looking to teach Zane some added defense. Weeger can get back when Zane pinches in the offensive zone. Weegar’s solid defensive skills will allow Zane to take some offensive risks without leaving us vulnerable. The Flames will have to be patient with him., I really hope they don’t rush him, but with MacKenzie, his chances are good.

Now onto the Flames’ starting lineup. There are a lot of questions about the line combos. Who is going to play with Kari and Huberdeau? Connor Zarry is one name that pops into my mind.

Bear with me for a moment as I foam at the mouth. I want to see a line combination of Morgan Frost centering Joel Farabee and Matthew Coronado. Morgan and Joel both have much to prove coming off bad seasons. Hopefully, having a whole season to learn to work together will be beneficial. I think there’s tons of potential for the three of them working together. Matthew is obviously going to be the stick that stirs the drink. He will have to be the leader of the line. He has the ability to score 30 to 35 goals, and I think Joel and Morgan can get him there.

As we head into this season, let’s not forget about our promising young goaltender. The worst thing we can do is play him in 70 games and have a worn-out goalie. I sure hope we can limit his starts to 50 to 55. That said, I’m not holding my breath!

No More Emojis: What Ryan Leslie’s Departure Means for Fans

Tribute to Ryan Leslie

Over the years, I have come to respect Ryan Leslie more and more. His relationship with the fans has been nothing less than spectacular. He is one of the most professional media personalities in the industry. Fans look at the emojis he tweets when something is up. Who will take over with the emojis? All the best, Ryan.

Goaltending

Ivan Prosvetov

I discussed my concerns about having an unproven goaltender as a backup this season with a source. He assured me that Prosvetov is capable of being a quality NHL goalie. He went out to say, “He may very well be a more proficient netminder.” The Flames apparently have enough confidence in him to offer him a one-way contract. Only time will tell.

Plus minus stigma

When I addressed the plus-minus with my source, I suggested Andersson might be one of the reasons for the stalemate in his negotiations. His opinion is, “The plus minus stat is a line stat. Teams do not put as much value on this as the fans do. The Flames simply do value Andersson as much as Andersson does himself.” It is a business decision; it’s nothing personal. What is driving me crazy is that the longer Andersson is a Flame, the bigger the distraction he is in the dressing room. Hopefully, the saga will come to a satisfactory end soon.

Final Word

I am perplexed by the lack of movement on the Flames addressing the scoring issue. Where are the goals coming from? I know they were fine last year, but can we expect Wolf to put up the same numbers? What will the defense look like after Andersson’s trade? Everyone knows it’s only a matter of time until Andersson departs. They’d better get an adequate defenseman in return. I am excited. Still, I would be cautious with my expectations this season. Just saying.

Randy 

Johnny Hockey, The Flame That Will Never Go Out

This blog is long overdue. Johnny Gaudreau did more for this city than most in a lifetime. At the time of his passing, I couldn’t believe it. I was devastated beyond belief.

I just could not find the words to say in a tribute. It was too close to home. No, I did not meet or know him, but his family made it seem like I had. He was that kind of person—all class, all the way.

It was almost like losing my family. He was so personal with the fans. There was never a time Johnny would not stop to say hello. Johnny loved the game of hockey, and it showed. Better known as “Johnny Hockey,” he was some kind of player.

Johnny loved the city, and the city loved him. He was active in Calgary’s charities, donating money to Kidsport Calgary every time he scored. That was just the man he was, always putting others first.

His family continues to build relationships with the city. They tell people how much they love them every time they return. They are like royalty in Calgary. They are active in charitable work. As they say, like father, like son. It was so touching to see Johnny’s dad coaching at the Flames and Jackets practices. Johnny would have loved that.

The Flames drafted Johnny Gaudreau in the 4th round of 20ll. His best year was the 2021-2022 season, with 115 points. If memory serves me correctly, only Magic Man Kent Nelson beat him in most points as a Calgary Flame player, with 131 pts. Johnny would not want to be remembered as a hockey player but as a great father, son, husband, and a good man. The world was a better place with Johnny in it.  

30% Chance, 100% Drama: Andersson’s Future in Flames

If you are sick of anything as a Calgary Flames fan this summer, it would be the never-ending saga of Rasmus Andersson. There is a new twist every day. They are not giving up on trading him for future assets now. They would prefer a hockey trade. There is a focus on making the Playoffs. To do that is to bring in a player who can win now.

There is a 30 percent chance that the Calgary Flames will hang onto him until the deadline. The Flames do not want Rasmus Andersson as a rental trade. If they have to, they will.

They do not want to find themselves in another situation where a player walks away and they lose him. It is vital that this team shows the players they are confident in them. If the players lose confidence in the management, we will have anarchy. We will have another total rebuild with those players asking to be traded.

Going into the season, the Calgary Flames know they must improve their defense. We cannot afford 40 shots against us every game. This is where Zane Parekh is vital to the Flames’ success. Zane can help fill the void caused by the loss of Andersson. Of course, MacKenzie Weeger will be heavily relied on to keep them from falling apart. The Flames still have Bell, who will help mentor or mold Zane into an NHL defenseman. If the scoring is dry, as it was last year, Zane and Weegar will have to pinch with some offense.

Final Word

I must admit, I am worried that by the end of the season, we will see some horrific defensive play. Somehow, Weeger and Bell will hold the defence together with spit and a prayer. My greatest fear is that the Flames will stay in the hunt and miss the playoffs. That would be very detrimental to the development of the Flames.

Randy

Cornerstones of the Calgary Flames: The Trio Holding the Team Together

 

Every team has its cornerstones. Without them, its chances of success go down dramatically. Just like a building structure relies on its cornerstones, a hockey team has its cornerstones to hold the team together. Imagine a building without any foundation. What would happen to it? Like a building or organization, every hockey franchise has to have a solid foundation. Ideally, a team’s cornerstone is one goalie, one forward, and a defenceman.

The elite teams have four or five key players, but this is not fantasy; most hockey teams will be happy with three.

I am moving on from the thought of the Calgary Flames trying to tank this season. There are a lot of bright spots to build on with this team. Here are the three players I think can solidify the Flames’ future for years to come.

Dustin Wolf

Dustin is the main reason the Calgary Flames were successful after last season. He was in the top 10 goalies in the NHL, if not in the top five. Some fans would say he was the best goalie in the league last year. That is a debate for another time, but there’s no debating that Dustin was the MVP player of the Calgary Flames. Wolf must be this good for the Flames to make it to the next level.

MacKenzie Weegar

MacKenzie is a strong arm in the Calgary defense. In reality, he is one of the team leaders and might very well be the team’s next captain. He is truly the glue that holds the Calgary defense together. This Defense was sometimes in shambles like a fish out of water. You can see Weegar throwing the fish back in the water. MacKenzie does everything right. He is a great penalty killer. MacKenzie was outstanding in his defensive play, and at times, he was the power-play quarterback.

Jonathan Huberdeau

Last year was the first time we had a glimpse of the real Huberdeau. He showed lots of heart in the previous season and was having fun. Jonathan Huberdeau’s hockey IQ is high, and he is one of the smartest players in the league. If the Calgary Flames use him wisely and do not put too much pressure on him, he has the potential to be their best player. He can be the leader of this team. By far, he is the best playmaker on the roster and has the best vision on the ice. His passing skills are among the best in the league this season.

Clarification by the author

I must admit I could’ve easily used Matthew Coronado as the forward. I use Jonathan because he has to be the leader to justify that contract for the Calgary Flames.

Randy 

Losing on Purpose? What the Experts Say About Tanking

To tank or not to tank? That is the question. (You can never get enough Shakespeare in your life.) As a fan, nothing gets me madder than teams taking a dive, which leads them to oblivion. General Managers have to do this delicately; no one wants to lose.

What they want is players who are willing to put in the effort. This is why I strongly believe The Flames should not tank on purpose. Officially. Wink, wink.

I went to the draft experts to see what they had to say.

The Waiting Game Continues: What Lies Ahead For The Flames?

Contract talks on Connor Zarry seem to have come to a standstill. Frost and Kakko’s contracts should be precedents for the deal. Morton Frost just signed a two-year deal worth $4.375 million a season, and Kaapo Kakko landed a three-year deal at $4.525 million per season. Since Zarry is around the same skill level as those guys, it seems like they should have a solid outline for his contract ready to go.

So why is this deal not done? Either Zarry feels he is a step above Frost and Kakko, or the Flames are dissatisfied with Zarry’s progress. Either way, it is not working. I think Zarry wants a long-term deal. The club isn’t prepared to offer that. We wait and see how it works out.

Speaking of negotiations, let’s move on to Andersson. There were rumours that the negotiations were $3 million apart. If that is the case, the Flames probably figured they were too far apart. The Flames’ offer is too low, and Andersson’s price is too high, which is why the Flames are trying to trade him. One source has told me: “They have to hit a home run; right now they are only hitting singles.” They are in no hurry to trade Andersson, which leads me to think this will be a deadline deal. This trade is more about hockey players than future picks. Andersson might just end up being a rental player. Don’t like it? Take some antacid, it doesn’t look like it will end soon.  

I may be wrong, but as long as Conroy wants a home run, there is no way he will settle for singles. 

Randy

 

Exciting Times Ahead for Fans of The Calgary Flames

When you think about how last season went, there is a lot to be positive about, including one of the best young goalies in the league. Dustin Wolf could have easily won rookie of the year. We have a young, slick forward named Matthew Cornado, who appears to be coming into his own. The Core is on solid ground, led by Weeger, Huberdeau, Kadri, and Rasmus Andersson.  

It appears the Flames were not happy with the offers on Andersson. It is beginning to look like a deadline trade. There is a growing concern that it will be a distraction. They can say it won't be a distraction, but you have to think that the team will be wondering what direction they are going.

Meanwhile, the Flames continue to receive offers for Kadri. They have said, "We have no interest in trading Kadri, and he has no interest in playing anywhere else." Translation: they have not received the right offer. Sorry for my cynical side, but every player has a price. Don't get me wrong, Kadri is coming off a career year with his 35 goals, and he seems to be improving every year. But you still have to explore all your options. If a General Manager is not  exploring all of his options, he is not  doing his job.

Huberdeau is coming off his best year as a Flame. Jonathan was looking like a revamped Huby, like the Huberdeau of old. He seemed to be getting his legs back for the first time. And he seemed happy to be here. I am excited to see if he continues his improved play for next season.

Weeger could be traded today, given the interest the Flames have received for his services. Again, the Flames have turned down all offers. Weeger is going to be the heart and soul of this team when Andersson gets traded. He is the leader in this dressing room. 

In the goal behind Wolf, we have Vladar out, and Ivan Prosvetov is coming to Calgary, and it is not for the benefit of his health. From one of my connections: "The Flames are excited about Ivan; they love what they have seen and expect big things for him. They expect him to lighten the load of Dustin Wolf." I told him of my concern that the KHL is not the NHL; he assured me that if Prosvetov were not at the level of an NHL goalie, they wouldn't have signed him. 

Randy. 

Calgary Flames’ Potential Picks: Building Depth at Center

   

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Depending on the success, the scouts know it as Christmas or D-Day. Everyone but the kitchen sink (I never understood that saying); I digress. As I mentioned, the Flames need a center. Dearen and I get to show how little we know about hockey.

I guess we like abuse. You can find him on Twitter @JASTA28.

Now for the picks:

I am honored to have been invited by Randy to share my perspective on the Calgary Flames’ potential selections in the upcoming NHL Draft, where the organization currently holds two first-round picks. It is widely acknowledged that the Flames face a significant organizational need at center—not only at the NHL level but throughout their developmental pipeline. Depending on how one views Connor Zary’s long-term role, the team lacks a true center prospect ready to eventually take over from Kadri or Backlund. As such, I anticipate that the Flames will target a center with their 18th overall selection. That said, picking at 18 often means reacting to how the board unfolds ahead of you while weighing positional needs against the best player available.

Although a selection at this stage of the draft may not produce an NHL-ready player within one or two seasons, it is essential for Calgary to begin addressing this void now. At 18th overall, I believe the Flames could turn to the Western Hockey League and select Cole Reschny. The Saskatchewan-born, left-handed center is a dynamic, versatile skater with strong offensive instincts and a highly productive season behind him. His creativity, pace, and competitive level make him an attractive option—one that Calgary may find too compelling to pass up. While some might view Reschny’s stature as a concern, in a center-deep draft, there’s a plausible scenario where he slides to 18th overall. Drawing comparisons to Berkly Catton, he may ultimately prove to be of tremendous value at that spot.

At 32nd overall—not 31st, thankfully—the Flames will likely turn to their internal list and select the top remaining name to close out the round. While some might expect Calgary to look locally and select Benjamin Kindel from the Calgary Hitmen—should he still be available—I lean in a different direction. I foresee them choosing between Milton Gastrin and Theo Stockselius. Gastrin offers a safer floor; he is noted for his NHL-ready shot and natural leadership traits that have already caught the attention of multiple clubs. However, I believe the Flames will opt for Stockselius.

18. Braeden Cootes, Centre

Braeden is a coach’s dream and a locker-room leader. He’s tenacious, smart, and efficient. He has a solid shot and is suited for either second- or third-line roles.

32. Milton Gastrin, Centre

Milton is reliable and positionally sound. He has good speed and a quick shot release; while he may not be flashy, he is still a solid second- or third-line center option.

Second Round

54. Charlie Trethewey, Defenseman

He is a big stay-at-home defenseman who plays with a chip on his shoulder. He doesn’t shy away from the physical play.

Has a good slap shot and will clear in front of the net for the goalies to see. Has some good character might be another Bell on our hands.

No write-ups on the rest of the picks—just their names.

Third Round

80. Viggo Nordlund, Left Wing

Fifth Round

144. Michael Svrcek, Centre

Sixth Round

176. Olivier Groulx, Left Wing

Seventh Round

208. Kaleb Hartmann, Left Wing