NHL Season Preview 2016-17: Calgary Flames

Could the Calgary Flames push for a playoff spot in 2016-17?

After a strong offseason last year, many believed the Calgary Flames would return to the playoffs. However, that wasn’t the case. Everything that could have gone wrong for the Flames went wrong as they finished with the league’s fifth worst record. The Flames made some significant changes, none more significant than firing 2014-15 Jack Adams Trophy winner Bob Hartley. Despite a rough 2015-16 season, the future is bright for the Flames.

Offseason Review

Additions: G Brian Elliott (Blues), F Troy Brouwer (Blues), G Chad Johnson (Sabres), F Linden Vey (Canucks), F Alex Chiasson (Senators), F Matthew Tkachuk (2016 NHL Draft)

Losses: D Patrick Sieloff (Senators), F Mason Raymond (Ducks), F Joe Colborne (Avalanche), C/F Josh Jooris (Rangers)

Retained: C Sean Monahan

Pending: F Johnny Gaudreau

The Calgary Flames put an end to their seemingly endless revolving door in net by trading for St. Louis Blues goaltender Brian Elliott at the 2016 NHL Draft. They had to pay a hefty price (second round pick and conditional 2018 draft pick), but Elliott now has a chance to be a starting goaltender. He did very well in 2015-16, leading the league in save percentage. Elliott will be a free agent after the 2016-17 season but expect the Calgary Flames to give him an extension.

Goaltending depth is important. The Calgary Flames realized this and signed former Buffalo Sabres goaltender Chad Johnson to a one-year deal. Johnson is a very capable backup who has shown that he can handle a starting role. Upgrading their goaltending while only spending $4.2 million is quite the accomplishment. Take a bow, Brad Treliving.

Calgary signed Elliott’s former teammate with the Blues Troy Brouwer to a four-year deal. The fourth year isn’t going to be pretty, but Brouwer’s a very solid player who should give the Flames at least two or three good seasons. He makes them better in 2016-17 and should help improve their subpar penalty kill.

Linden Vey and Alex Chiasson are intriguing depth pieces who could contribute for the Flames. At least one of them will likely be on the fourth line and the other could find himself in the press box most nights as a healthy scratch. It was a bit odd the Flames didn’t tender Josh Jooris or Joe Colborne. They could have at least gotten something for them in a trade. Overall though, an excellent offseason for the Flames.

Player Spotlight: Johnny Gaudreau

Since the 2004 lockout, the NHL has seen a shift towards open ice play. Creativity and agility used to be stifled, but new rules have encouraged those traits. Very few players are as creative and agile as the diminutive Johnny Gaudreau. He’s on a mission to make the NHL fun. So far, mission accomplished.

Gaudreau was overlooked due to his tiny stature (5’9″ and 157 pounds). That has given Gaudreau a huge chip on his shoulder. Most small players struggle because they don’t know how to turn their lack of size into an advantage. Johnny Hockey is almost impossible to hit and uses his tiny frame to his advantage. You rarely see him with his head down and he deftly avoids contact like a motorcycle speeding down the highway. Gaudreau has shown he’s not afraid to stand up for himself as well.

Johnny has 54 goals and 142 points in his first two NHL seasons. He loves to entertain. The hockey world got introduced to him at the 2014 All-Star Skills Competition when Jakub Voracek used Gaudreau as a prop during the shootout contest. He has been arguably the Flames’ best player over the past two seasons. At the very least, he has been their best forward.

Gaudreau, flanked by his center Sean Monahan, will make the NHL fun again. And he’ll do it with a childish grin on his face.

2016-17 Outlook

The Flames are a much better team on paper than last season. They added a borderline elite goaltender in Brian Elliott. Calgary has a nice insurance option for Elliott in Chad Johnson. Their blue line is quickly improving and they have impressive forwards.

Bob Hartley will not be missed by the Flames. It was his time to leave. New head coach Glen Gulutzan could be a Jack Adams contender because he has a very talented roster that might make the playoffs. He has a deep blue line and a very nice group of forwards. Not to mention goaltending can be the ultimate equalizer and Gulutzan has a good one in Elliott.

Calgary could be a Stanley Cup dark horse if everything falls into place for them. But with a stacked Central Division, the Pacific Division is only getting three playoff teams. They’ll have to take down the Ducks, Kings, or Sharks to be a playoff team. The Flames have the ammunition necessary to do so.