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Some Calgary Flames thoughts, stats and takeaways from what we’ve seen thus far:
1) Dillon Dube made the Flames out of camp last year. With each passing day, it seems more and more likely he’ll do so again this time around.
Dube impressed in his preseason debut scoring a goal, recording seven combined shots on goal + shot assists at 5v5, and hounding opposing puck carriers throughout.
He was rewarded next time out with 1st line minutes alongside Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan. Dube took full advantage, picking up two points (one goal, one assist) while finishing with a solid xGF of ~52% at 5v5.
Dube is doing everything in his power to force his way onto the roster. Matthew Tkachuk’s absence, and (perhaps) the impending trade of Michael Frolik, only increase the odds of that happening.
2) Small sample size, I know, but Andrew MacDonald is averaging a team-leading 22:04 per game thus far. No doubt part of that is wanting to get a good look at MacDonald but, to play that much, you’d have to think the coaching staff is liking what they’re seeing.
They don’t seem to love Oliver Kylington – and there are plenty of puck movers in the top-6 as is – so I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up getting a contract and *gasps* plays LD3 on opening night.
I honestly wouldn’t mind him as the 7th defender but, if he signs, he should not be ahead of Kylington.
3) Mark Giordano continues to look nothing like a soon-to-be 36-year-old. I know it is preseason. I know he’s facing watered down lineups. But the Flames have out-attempted opponents 47-22 (68.12 CF%) and out-chanced them 23-9 (71.88%) at 5v5 with Giordano on the ice. That is insane.
It’s also worth noting Giordano has recorded a team-leading 15 shot attempts and is 2nd among all Flames with six scoring chances. He’s ready to rock.
4) Austin Czarnik made a statement in his lone appearance thus far, absolutely dominating a Canucks team dressing quite a few regulars. I’ve already talked about the impression Dube’s made. Tobias Rieder has also looked good. Andrew Mangiapane is back in the mix ready to push for a bigger role. Heck, even Matthew Phillips – though unlikely to seriously push for a spot right now – has shown well.
While most of those guys should make the team, there is only room for two (or three, depending on what happens with Tkachuk/Frolik) to play on a nightly basis. Perhaps more importantly, there is only one top-9 slot up for grabs.
The supply greatly outweighs the demand so it’s imperative each player continues to put their best foot forward. Any slip up could lead to a lesser role, or losing a spot on the roster entirely.
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