Team: 2021-22 Calgary Flames

Initial Creation Date: Aug. 12, 2021

Published: Aug. 12, 2021

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

I think the Flames are interesting team this year. Firstly, I don't think they will win the cup, let's get that out of the way. However, I think they have the chance to bounce back from last season. Their team isn't as bad as many think. They have some really quality players that had down years last season. I think that maybe had to do with adjusting to Sutter's style of play. That shouldn't be a problem now. I really like the Coleman signing. I think the cap hit is fine, is it a year or two too long? maybe. But it doesn't mean that he won't be very effective for at least the 3 first years of that contract. He should fit very well on this team and makes the top 6 look so much better in my opinion. I don't think the general hockey fan is aware of how good Mangiapane really is. It wouldn't surprise me if he becomes someone that is close to a ppg player this year. We obviously know what we can expect from guys like Gaudreau, Tkachuk and Lindholm. Lindholm has become a #1 center in the league which is nice for Monahan as he can slot in as a #2. Monahan was until recently still the best goalscorer from his draft class that included players like MacKinnon, Barkov, Lindholm, Horvat, Guentzel, Burakovsky, Mantha, Domi, Duclair, Björkstrand, Buchnevich, Drouin etc. He has now fallen 6 goals behind MacKinnon, but I don't think people talk enough about his goal scoring ability. He has had three 30 goal seasons and two 27 goal seasons. Those are some seriously good numbers. He has however had a downward trend, but I think that has had to do with him playing through injuries. You can obviously not perform to your maximum level when being injured. Hopefully with the longer break that the Flames has had, he can be 100% healthy and once again continue to produce around 30 goals on a consistent basis. Backlund is a really solid third line center that can do everything and step up as #2 center if injuries occur in the top 6. Pitlick was a very smart little addition that together with Dubé and Backlund could form a very good third line that could produce some secondary scoring as well as being defensively responsible. Lucic is a great leader that has been able to transform his game enough to still be an NHL player. He is not worth what he is paid obviously, but he still provides leadership, knowledge and effort which bring positive energy to the locker room. Lewis and Ritchie will likely rotate on that 4th line RW and well as Gawdin and Ruzicka in the middle. I am not a Calgary fan, but I don't hate this forward group at all.

Moving on to the defense. The loss of Giordano is obviously huge. much like what Montreal are going to experience with Weber being gone. This really forces a guy like Tanev to take another step after being unreal last year as well as Hanifin and Andersson improving. They will have to replace Giordano by committee, it can't be just one player that steps up, all of them have to do it. The addition of Zadorov is interesting and a gamble. He is huge and is one of the best hitters currently in the game. His foot speed is a bit of an issue, and so is his decision making and discipline. In my mind, they wouldn't have traded for him if they didn't think Sutter could control him and mold him into a physical shutdown specialist. I think he has the potential to become that, but his decision making has to improve as well as his discipline. It won't do Calgary any good if he is constantly in the penalty box rather than being out there defending the opposition's top guys. Like I said, this is gamble that could work out and also fail. I believe the idea is for him and Tanev to play together against the tougher opponents, while having Hanifin and Anderson playing against the other forwards. I could be wrong, they could split them up and have Anderson with Zadorov and Tanev together with Hanifin. Välimäki is interesting as well. He has been so unlucky with injuries but I still think he has the potential to become a top 4 defenseman. Another year or two on the third pair will only do him good as he will be able to become more experienced before it is his time to step into a bigger role. I think he has a bright future ahead of him and Calgary will be wise not to rush him. Connor Mackey and Kylington are fine as depth options, but I don't think you should have them start the season as regular top 6 defenseman. I think someone like Vatanen could be a fit. He would be able to play sheltered minutes together with his fellow country man and have the ability to quarterback the 2nd power play. He is a veteran in this league and I think a role like this would suit him and the Flames perfectly.

Markström is a really solid goaltender, and although he struggled last year, I think he will bounce back and come good for the Flames. I am not worried about him at all. Vladar is a little bit of a gamble to use as a backup. He has good potential but hasn't had the greatest numbers so far in his limited amount of showing in the NHL. He has been dominant in the AHL and has had the opportunity to learn from goalies like Rask and Halak in Boston and now Markström in Calgary. I think he can be a solid backup but if it doesn't work out, it isn't that hard to go out and acquire another backup goaltender. All in all, I think the Flames should be a playoff team in the pacific. Vegas will rightfully be the favorites, but if they make the payoffs and have to play either Vancouver or Edmonton in the 1st round, who is to say that they couldn't beat them and move on to the 2nd round? After that anything could happen. Montreal just proved that with their cup run.