Breaking down the Calgary Flames ahead of NHL Free Agency.
Updated: Sunday, June 29
Pending free agents
Unrestricted: 13 | Restricted: 6 | See full list
[teamleaders league=”nhl” team=”cgy” season=”2013″]
Flames overview
The Flames had low expectations heading into 2013-14 and unfortunately for their fans, they lived up (or played down, if you will) to them. With Brian Burke at the helm, the status quo just won’t fly. A positive step towards change was taken when the highly-respected Brad Treliving was hired as the team’s new general manager.
Last season, the Flames struggled to generate any offence, ranking pretty low in goals scored (22nd) and shots per game (28th). They were unable to battle back from early deficits and were worse than any other team in the faceoff circle.
The former cornerstones of this franchise — Jarome Iginla, Miikka Kiprusoff and Robyn Regehr — are long gone and the Flames haven’t been able to fill those holes with any roster players or top-end prospects. If the team doesn’t make dramatic improvements this off-season, they will struggle in the tough Western Conference. Having the fourth-overall pick in the NHL Draft will help in procuring an elite prospect or acquiring a top-end roster player, but it might not be enough to help head coach Bob Hartley this season and save the team from another lottery pick in 2015.
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| Click player positions to see depth chart | ||
Areas to address
The team was unable to deal or re-sign Mike Cammalleri by the NHL Trade Deadline, so he should be a top priority for Treliving this off-season. Cammalleri led the team in goals and is one of the few Flames with the ability to bury the puck consistently. The Flames have a solid group of veterans in Mark Giordano, Matt Stajan and Jiri Hudler, but they need to balance that by adding youth and speed. Mikael Backlund is a quality centre, but he can’t be relied upon as a No. 1 centre; the Flames need help down the middle.
The blueline showed promise with T.J. Brodie and Kris Russell having impressive campaigns, but adding a top-four defenceman would go a long way. However, that won’t happen through free agency, unless they’re able to lure Matt Niskanen (Penguins UFA).
One thing that can turn a franchise around quickly is quality goaltending, something the Flames lack. Burke likes to build from the net out, so whether it’s making a pitch for Carolina’s Cam Ward — rumoured to be on the trading block — or going hard after a free agent goaltender, an upgrade between the pipes is imperative to their success.
Possible signing targets
Mike Cammalleri, Left wing: A first-line sniper every team covets.
Jonas Hiller, Goalie: Would be an immediate, drastic improvement in net.
Dave Bolland, Centre: One of the best two-way centres in the league and a proven winner.
Daniel Winnik, Centre: An underrated centre who provides secondary scoring and quality penalty killing.
Nikolai Kulemin, Winger: Can play physical and chip in with offence on the second or third line.
NHL Free Agency needs: Full list for all 30 NHL teams
