The Flames should be improved thanks primarily to their goaltending upgrades, acquiring Brian Elliott and Chad Johnson over the summer. That’s not enough to change all of Calgary’s fortunes, but solid netminding will have a major positive effect on the team with the worst 5-on-5 save percentage over the past three seasons.

On defence, Mark Giordano, T.J. Brodie, Dennis Wideman and Dougie Hamilton are a strong top four, one of the real strengths of the team. The third pair and depth isn’t ideal, but if the Flames happen to be contending for a playoff spot, that could be an area to seek out an upgrade.

The bigger concerns are up front, where the Flames have some top-end talent, but not a lot of high-end skill after Johnny Gaudreau (still unsigned as a restricted free agent) and Sean Monahan. Mikael Backlund and Michael Frolik are quality two-way players while Troy Brouwer brings some muscle along the wing, and second-year forward Sam Bennett has a chance to be a very good player.

But beyond that top group, the Flames need contributions from blue collar vets like Lance Bouma and Micheal Ferland, reclamation projects Linden Vey and Alex Chiasson, or maybe from rookies Hunter Shinkaruk and Matthew Tkachuk. Somehow, the Flames need quality contributions from the bottom half of their forward depth chart.

It will be interesting to see whether new coach Glen Gulutzan can make tactical changes that will improve on a team that has been 28th in score-adjusted shot differentials over the past three seasons. It’s hard to get worse, but if he can bring up those possession numbers and get some better goaltending then the Flames could make some strides, but they also have a ways to go in order to close the gap that will get them into the playoffs.  

Off-Season Headlines

June 17: Flames name Gulutzan as new head coach 
June 24: Flames get their goaltender in Elliott 
July 1: Flames sign Brouwer to four-year deal 
Aug. 19: Flames sign Monahan to seven year contract extension 

Three Key Flames Questions

1. Will Johnny Gaudreau and the Flames management find common ground before the season starts?

Contract negotiations between Johnny Gaudreau and the Flames are going oh so slowly, with reports claiming that the two camps may be as far apart as $1.5 million. Gaudreau is the Flames' most dynamic forward and his absence leaves a huge void on the top line. Considering the fact that Calgary has yet to establish a top line right winger and No. 1 centre (Sean Monahan participated in a full practice for the first time on Tuesday), there's a lot of uncertainty concerning the Flames' ability to score goals. Gaudreau is an RFA without arbitration rights, meaning the organization has leverage on Johnny Hockey. Gaudreau will receive a huge raise. By how much is the question. And when it finally gets done, Gaudreau will have a lot of catching up to do.

2. Can Glen Gulutzan turn around Calgary's poor special teams?

The Flames' power play finished in the bottom third (17 per cent) last season and their penalty kill was dead last (75.5 per cent) in the league. Gulutzan vowed that his squad would not have a repeat performance in the area of special teams this season and he has dedicated significant practice time to break old habits and rectify the problem. Expect to see a more aggressive style of play on the penalty kill. The progress of the power play will be a little harder to determine without the services of Gaudreau.

3. No team allowed more goals last season. Will Elliott and Johnson change that?

The Flames started last season with three goaltenders and it didn't work. Karri Ramo, Jonas Hiller and Joni Ortio all struggled with consistency and it's no coincidence that the team's performance up front suffered as well. Elliott had the league's top save percentage at .930 last season, while Johnson sported a tidy .920 save percentage in his 45 games played in Buffalo. This will be Elliott's first foray as an undisputed No. 1, so the 31-year-old has something to prove this year. It shouldn't be too hard for Elliott and the Flames to improve on the start they had last season, where they had just two wins in their first 11 games surrendering 45 goals in the process. 


2016-17 Calgary Flames

 

TSN's Projected Lineup

  Lines and Pairings  
G LD RD
Brian Elliott Mark Giordano T.J. Brodie
Chad Johnson Jyrki Jokipakka Dougie Hamilton
  Dennis Wideman Deryk Engelland
  Brett Kulak  
LW C RW
Johnny Gaudreau* Sean Monahan Alex Chiasson
Matthew Tkachuk Sam Bennett Troy Brouwer
Micheal Ferland Mikael Backlund Michael Frolik
Lance Bouma Matt Stajan Hunter Shinkaruk
Brandon Bollig Freddie Hamilton  
ON SPEED DIAL INJURY LIST  
C Garnet Hathaway D Ladislav Smid  
C Mark Jankowski    
D Tyler Wotherspoon    
G Jon Gillies    


Button's Top 2016-17 Prospects

1. Mark Jankowski (22) – C (Providence College - NCAA)
- It was always going to be longer rather than shorter for Mark as he matured phsycially. All the skills are there and time has worked for him.
2. Brett Kulak (22) – D (Stockton – AHL)
- A very smart, efficient defenseman who can skate and make solid plays with the puck. Looks like a good compliment to Brodie, Giordano and Hamilton.

Button's Top Long-Term Prospects

1. Matthew Tkachuk (18) – LW (London – OHL)
- Any way you want to play, he says; “bring it on.” Highly competitive with excellent sense and feel and can score. Makes others better.
2. Jon Gillies (22) – G (Stockton – AHL)
- Underwent hip surgery last season. Size, mobility, sense is all evident and with health on his side, ready to ascend. Needs time but excellent potential.
3. Tyler Parsons (19)– G (London – OHL)
- Lightning quick in the net and while his style may be somewhat unique, his ability to make saves and win is not.  Key performer at critical times.
4. Oliver Kylington (19) – D (Stockton - AHL)
- Smooth skating defenseman grew in AHL last season as an 18 year-old. Quick and fast and has potential to be a very good transition defenseman.
5. Rasmus Andersson (19) – D (Barrie - OHL)
- Excellent sense and poise and combined with excellent puck skills, he has the qualities to be an offensive defenseman.

Travis Yost's Analytic Storyline

It’s going to be fascinating to see how Calgary’s bet on goaltender Brian Elliott pans out. Elliott’s splits were fantastic in St. Louis – his all situations save percentage was eighth best in the league over the last two seasons, beating out names like Braden Holtby, Tuukka Rask, and Jonathan Quick. The question will be whether or not playing for one of the league’s most capable defensive teams in the St. Louis inflated those numbers a bit, or if Elliott’s talent will truly carry over into another environment. Lord knows Calgary needs the boost: their 89.2 per cent save percentage last year was a runaway league worst.