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New Generation of Flames Key to Calgary Success

September 17, 2014, 10:24 AM ET [155 Comments]
Colin Dambrauskas
Calgary Flames Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Flames have openly been rebuilding their team, making massive changes on every level. Since the end of the Iginla era, the flames have been systematically picking up young talent and strategically trading their old dogs. So how does the 2014/2015 season look for Calgary fans? Well if Johnny Gaudreau’s goal on Tuesday night didn’t get you excited, I don’t know what will. His goal was a clear indication that this season the Flames need to focus on the new generation of players, they are sitting on a lot of potential and it’s time to hone in on it.

Most obvious is Monahan, he’s already proven his ability in the NHL but after a 34 point debut season with the flames he needs to avoid the sophomore slump. Where the Flames need to put in some work is Baertschi. This is the year to give him a permanent spot on the team, so long as he earns it. He has the potential to be a weapon for the Flames but other European players before him have struggled assimilating to the NHL, remember Roman Cervenka?

Where it gets interesting for the Flames is all their prospects, the most impressive is obviously ‘Johnny Hockey’, and he’s already become a sensation after undressing a Jet’s prospect defensemen. It remains to be seen if he can translate that into the NHL but if his only game last season is any indication, he’ll be just fine. He took an unusual path to the Flames which allowed him more time to mature and despite his small size, he has proven vision on the ice.

Sam Bennet has had a rough start to his season before it even began, injuring his groin in the prospects game. Hartley is optimistic and hopefully we’ll see Bennet on this ice this season along with a wide range of prospects. Fans will likely see Tyler Wotherspoon, Max Reinhart, Emile Poirier, and Markus Granlund join the bench this season. This is the season to work them into the lineup because although Calgary is still under construction, it’s definitely a good time to be a young player on this squad. Everyone loves an underdog and the flames played a never surrender style of hockey last year but it still only got them 6th out of 7 in the pacific so expectations are low. That’s why developing their youth is so important and with rights to Connor McDavid up for grabs, it’s not a bad season to be rebuilding.

Most importantly, after dropping Cammelleri and adding Raymond and Setoguchi the Flames are no worse off after last season. Raymond and their rookies will definitely give them more speed offensively. Defensively they haven’t really added anything to call home about. On the bright side, Giordano and Brodie were stellar last season and they can build on their talents. The biggest change to the Flames bench has got to be the addition of Jonas Hiller. There is no doubt that Hiller is an upgrade and having better numbers between the pipes gives them a capability to win.

As I mentioned in my last blog, all things considered, the Flames had a decent season last year and things are definitely improved heading into this season. Chances are slim that this season will lead to a playoff run but the progression of their rebuild is more important. For the time being, the Flames are headed in the right direction.
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