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Calgary Flames: 5 burning questions for 2018-19 season

By Jeremy Lambert

OTTAWA, ON - MARCH 09: Calgary Flames Left Wing Johnny Gaudreau (13) waits for a face-off during second period National Hockey League action between the Calgary Flames and Ottawa Senators on March 9, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - MARCH 09: Calgary Flames Left Wing Johnny Gaudreau (13) waits for a face-off during second period National Hockey League action between the Calgary Flames and Ottawa Senators on March 9, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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CALGARY, AB – MARCH 16: Mike Smith #41 of the Calgary Flames skates against Evander Kane #9 of the San Jose Sharks during an NHL game on March 16, 2018 at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Gerry Thomas/NHLI via Getty Images)
CALGARY, AB – MARCH 16: Mike Smith #41 of the Calgary Flames skates against Evander Kane #9 of the San Jose Sharks during an NHL game on March 16, 2018 at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Gerry Thomas/NHLI via Getty Images) /

2. Can Mike Smith stay healthy?

When Mike Smith plays, he’s one of the best goaltenders in the league. He carried Calgary to playoff contention last season, posting a .921 save percentage and 2.53 goals against average prior to his injury. His February injury derailed their entire season, they brought him back too early, and he faltered down the stretch. He’s now 36 years old and his injury history speaks for itself as he’s failed to appear in 60-plus games in each of the last three seasons. He did manage to start 55 games last season, but the late season injury and age doesn’t inspire much hope.

The Calgary defense is very good and Peters proved to be a good defensive coach in Carolina. The Flames were 22nd in shots against per game. Peters’ former team was dead last in the same category. Calgary and Carolina were fifth and eighth respectively in scoring chances against.

Having a near-elite goalie to shutdown any chance is the difference between the playoffs and lottery. When Smith went down, Calgary relied on David Rittich and Jon Gillies to swallow shots. We saw what happened there. And we saw what happened when Smith came back but wasn’t himself.

For Calgary to make the playoffs, they need Smith to be healthy for at least 60 games. Maybe that means lightening his workload at the start of the season to keep him rested for the stretch run. Perhaps it means putting him in a Jake Gyllenhaal-like bubble to ensure nothing bad happens to him off the ice. The most sensible solution is Matthew Tkachuk threatening to kill anyone, including teammates, who get within five feet of Smith.

However the Flames do it, keep Smith healthy is a top priority.

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