The 106th season of the National Hockey League kicks off Tuesday October 10th with a triple header of action on ESPN. With this in mind, we will be doing a rundown of every team heading into what will be another season of joy, heartbreak and unnecessary anger from a plethora of fan bases across North America.
Calgary Flames
2022-23 Record: 38-27-17
Playoffs: Did Not Qualify (5th in Pacific Dividion)
The 2022-23 Calgary Flames were cursed.
A team featuring Jonathan Huberdeau, Nazem Kadri, Tyler Toffoli and Elias Lindholm (To name a few) finished 19th in goals scored, lost 30 games decided by one goal, 17 of them in overtime or the shootout, missed the playoff by two points and had to deal with noted dinosaur Darryl Sutter behind the bench. It was a lost season for a team that could not afford to lose any time with an aging corps, and it cost GM Brad Treliving his job.
But fear not Flames fans, with new management and long-time assistant Ryan Huska taking over as head coach, you may have already reached the light at the end of the tunnel.
Forwards
The hope is simple: last year was a one-off. A team this talented should not have one 30-goal scorer. After his 34 goal season, Tyler Toffoli was traded to the New Jersey Devils and now newly named and extended captain Mikael Backlund will need to lead his troops to pick up the slack Toffoli leaves behind. With a new coach and new voices in the locker room, that should not be too much of a problem. If Huberdeau, Kadri and Mangiapane can rebound, the Flames will be just fine.
Defense
The blue line in Calgary remains mostly unchanged, which is a blessing to the folks wearing red in Alberta. The contract situation of Noah Hanifin may become a problem if the Flames aren’t contending by the trade deadline, but outside of that the defensive side of Calgary should maintain its solid reputation.
Goaltending
If we are going off of Jacob Markström’s career trajectory, this year should be a nice rebound. All jokes aside, another save percentage below .900% could be the end of Markström’s career in Calgary. Also, over/under two weeks until Dan Vladar is traded to a goalie needy contender?
Individual To Watch: Jacob Markström
It is no hyperbole to say Markström’s play in net cost the Flames a playoff spot. 23-21-12 with an .892 SV% is not what you expect from a $6 million goalie. Adequate goaltending would have let the Flames sail smoothly into the playoffs. With this in mind, all eyes will be on the 33-year old netminder.
Standings Prediction: 4th in Pacific (2nd Wildcard Spot)
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