We are in the dog days of the summer. Player movement is non-existent, training camp is still a couple weeks away, and the only Calgary Flames news we have to look forward to is a Noah Hanifin contract extension.
With all quiet, I decided now would be a good time to do a Q&A post answering your Flames questions.
Let's get to it.
Is Valimaki or Ras more likely to make the opening roster
— ðŸ (@slicksnipes91) August 30, 2018
Juuso Valimaki tallied 123 points in 115 WHL games (regular season + playoffs) over the last two years and appears ready to seriously contend for a spot in the very near future, if not now. His only real competition for LD3 is Brett Kulak and the Flames aren't big fans based on how they handled him this off-season. The two sides somehow couldn't work out a cheap one-year deal and needed arbitration, which the Flames waived him prior to. Valimaki has a shot.
In saying all that, I'd still put my money on Rasmus Andersson. He has two years of pro experience and has gotten a taste of NHL action so he knows what it takes and what to expect.
His 5v5 numbers in Stockton last year put him in really good company as far as what young defensemen have accomplished prior to making the jump. He also stayed back to spend extra time training in Calgary to ensure his conditioning is where it needs to be to play at the next level.
Michael Stone's presence complicates things – the Flames really like him for some reason – but I think Andersson will end up forcing his way onto the roster.
lol ok actual question: what should people expect from czarnik (especially if he actually does get PP2 time)?
— Speedy Gomez (@LJ2BNG) August 30, 2018
I really like Austin Czarnik's game and his AHL numbers suggest he is capable of producing in the NHL. I think he's a good bet to be a solid depth player who can hold his own in possession and chip in some offense. I don't know that he'll get the opportunity to be anything more. With James Neal, Elias Lindholm, and Michael Frolik, the Flames have a lot of depth on the right side. As long as those guys are healthy, Czarnik will most likely be stuck on the 4th line. That's a good problem to have, though.
Do the improvements at forward out weigh the regression at d?
— Matt W. Marquardt (@MWM90210) August 30, 2018
I think so. That's surely what the Flames are hoping for.
James Neal has been one of the best, and most consistent, 5v5 goal scorers for a long time. Elias Lindholm is an upgrade on Micheal Ferland in terms of raw ability. Derek Ryan is an above average bottom-6 forward and the hope is Czarnik can be that as well.
The Flames added a lot of depth, and talent, to the forward group this summer and I think that will keep them competitive even if the defense isn't as good as the team hopes/expects it to be, although I do think there is still some reason for optimism.
Noah Hanifin is not Dougie Hamilton but he is still a solid player. If T.J. Brodie and/or Travis Hamonic bounce back, the top-4 could still be pretty good.
I don't think Treliving trusts Rittich or Gillies and is still actively seeking another backup/1B option. How do you think the goaltending shakes out this year?
— David Harvey (@davidharvey74) August 30, 2018
Honestly, I think the Flames are content letting David Rittich and Jon Gillies battle it out for the backup job. Should they be? That's debatable, but I think they are.
If they really wanted outside help, I think they would have made a move by now. I mean, there are still some free agent options they could test out for pennies.
Kari Lehtonen's reputation is no longer good but he posted a respectable .912 save percentage in 37 games last season. He has actually posted a rock solid .928SV% at 5v5 over the last two years. His overall numbers look bleak because the Stars have been a disaster on the PK and that totaled his numbers.
Though Steve Mason has had a rough go at it of late – in part due to injuries – he is only two years removed from a .918SV% season. At age 30, there should still be something left in the tank.
I think both would be better bets than what the Flames have in-house but I guess the Flames want to give their younger, in-house options a legitimate chance to prove themselves.
Given the state of the goalie market – jobs are almost non-existent – it's reasonable to suggest at least one of the free agent options could be available down the road should the Flames need to go to Plan B.
I'm not sold on the Goaltending...especially if Smith gets hurt for an extended period...
— Tyler Arnfinson (@arnfinson) August 30, 2018
Do you realistically think Gillies and/or Rittich are the answer at Back up? Or does Tre go after a 1B guy now?
A lot of what I said above could be applied to this question but, in short, I agree and think the Flames should strongly consider outside help. Mike Smith is 36 and has an injury history. Rolling with a couple question marks behind him who have never carried the mail and/or enjoyed success over a steady string of starts at the NHL level is really risky given how slim the margins are between making and missing the playoffs – and the Flames really need to make it.
where does Kylington fit on the depth chart this year?
— Ethan Greig (@ethan_greig) August 30, 2018
Kylington is in a similar boat to Valimaki. I think he's ready, or very close to it, but Andersson is a little further ahead and the most likely to claim a spot as a result.
It's safe to assume Mark Giordano, Hanifin, Brodie, Hamonic, and (sadly) Stone are playing every night. That means there is only one regular roster spot up for grabs. I doubt the Flames will keep two kids around and sit one in the press box rather than give steady minutes for additional seasoning in Stockton.
Barring a really strong camp, I think Kylington will head back to the AHL for a little longer.
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