Here is part 2 of our August Calgary Flames mailbag. In this edition, we answer which young players could make the Flames’ roster and how the veterans will handle the rebuild. Also, how will the Flames get better at centre?
You can hit the link here if you missed part one of our mailbag earlier this week.
Note: Submitted questions may be edited for clarity and style.
Are there any players we should view in training camp as sneaky potential players who could make the team? For example: (although admittedly a long shot) Samuel Honzek. After seeing Fraser Minten make the Leafs, I’m curious to see if other young players will start making the team. (Again admittedly, way different cap situation and winning situation in Toronto vs Calgary) — Cory D.
I understand the logic of considering Samuel Honzek, the Flames’ 2023 first-round pick. But unless he turns heads, I think he’s destined for the Calgary Wranglers this coming season. Honzek only has three pro games (two regular-season games, one playoff game) under his belt in Calgary so he’s better off finding his footing in the American League.
I mentioned William Stromgren earlier this week as a call-up possibility sometime this season. He’s adjusting more to the North American game and he’s still an enticing prospect thanks to his size and skill. It won’t hurt for him to start in the minors. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if he got called up at any point this season. So, I’ll consider him a dark horse for this exercise. At the very least, I think his chances of cracking the lineup are stronger than Honzek’s.
Strommer 👀🤯😮 pic.twitter.com/TyYP7moB1O
— Calgary Wranglers (@AHLWranglers) April 27, 2024
Hunter Brzustewicz is another player I’m thinking of on defence. He will likely start the season in the American League as well. But if he plays above and beyond what’s expected, he makes life pretty difficult for the Flames coaching staff. However, if the best opportunity is as a seventh defenceman, the Flames are better off keeping him in the minors where he can play pro games instead of sitting. Joel Hanley or Brayden Pachal can always take that extra defensive spot.
Jérémie Poirier’s offensive skill set is enticing, just like Brzustewicz’s. But considering the injuries he’s had to overcome in the last year, the Flames will settle for him looking like a pro player at any level.
One more name: Cole Schwindt. He’s a centre who understands he’ll have to be a solid defensive option if he wants an NHL future. He’s also a right shot, which the Flames need more of in their lineup. If Kevin Rooney somehow isn’t the guy on that fourth line, Schwindt could be looked at as a replacement.
Matthew Coronato should be considered here. But will there be a spot for him? I’ll save my thoughts for my upcoming projected roster story in the coming days.
Julian: I think it is fair to assume that MacKenzie Weegar and Nazem Kadri, at least publically, want to stay here for the rebuild. Jonathan Huberdeau is essentially an untradable asset. I believe that leaves Rasmus Andersson as the only asset that has some significant value as a top-4, arguably low-end top pair, right-spot defence on a good contract. What do you see as his value in a deal? What do you think the Flames need to be targeting to have this ship at least pointed in the right direction when the stadium is ready? Can a Ras trade get us that piece? — Kevin P.
Well, it’s not good to assume. Yes, those two players have publicly expressed wanting to remain Flames. But I’m curious to see how that continues as the Flames go through their rebuild. Weegar is 30 and in his prime. Kadri will be 34 in October. If they want to stay the whole way through, however long this lasts, all the power to them. The Flames will benefit from their veteran leadership and talent.
I answered a similar question about Rasmus Andersson ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft, wondering if he was a trade piece for the Flames to dangle. Ultimately, my answer was only if the price is right.
Andersson’s play will dictate his value. On paper, you’re right, he’s a solid top-four defending option on a contending team who can be used in all situations. He’s also on an affordable contract that pays him until 2026. But he’s also coming off a down season with nine goals and 39 points in 78 games — he had 11 goals and 49 points in 79 games during the 2022-23 season. And with the Flames’ defence corps looking much weaker with players like Chris Tanev, Noah Hanifin, Nikita Zadorov and Oliver Kylington long gone, his value to the team goes up.
This might be going against the grain here. But I don’t think the Flames have to move on from Andersson right now unless GM Craig Conroy gets a trade offer that completely bowls him over. While the Flames have a ton of defensive prospects who will need roster spots to have proper chances at making the team, some of their prospects still need time to develop. Considering he won’t be a free agent until 2026, I don’t know if Andersson even has to be moved ahead of the next trade deadline.
That could change if he improves on last season’s totals and a solid trade market forms for him. In that case, I don’t see the Flames wanting to move Andersson for anything less than a high draft pick and a quality prospect. But we’ll see how that value changes if the Flames want to go down that road.
Love The Athletic coverage! I’m excited for the Flames’ future and the approach GM Craig Conroy is taking. I wonder how the Flames plan to get stronger up the middle. Is the draft the only way? — Blair S.
Thank you, Blair! I think the Flames’ best way to do it is through the draft thanks to all the picks they’ve obtained through trades. James Hagens appears to be the early top available selection for next summer’s draft, with Anton Frondell, Ivan Ryabkin, Michael Misa and Roger McQueen looking like viable centre options for now. The Flames could also be big-game hunting for young centre talent in the 2026 draft if they aren’t bad enough to get Gavin McKenna at No. 1.
As I’ve mentioned before, however, the Flames aren’t above taking their draft picks and flipping them for a trade piece who can fill their void at centre and be a part of their nucleus for years to come. The Flames have five picks within the first three rounds of the 2025 and 2026 drafts, including two first-round picks in each of those years. I still think the Flames will accomplish that scenario if the right player comes around.
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Despite all the moves, the saving of cap space, the excellent draft and trading of all major core pieces why am I still worried that ownership will want this team to push for a playoff spot? — Connor D.
I think it’s because you’re used to seeing the Flames try to push to the playoffs with less-than-ideal rosters before. Maybe it’s because the Flames tried to take steps back over a decade ago and still found a way to make the playoffs (and win a round) in 2015, leading to them attempting to build off that run over and over again.
I thought the Flames would splash the cash in free agency this summer, but instead, they showed a great deal of restraint.
I don’t think you’ll have to worry too much about this team trying to compete for a playoff spot this year. I think their defence corps and goaltending will hold them back and their forward core still doesn’t have that elite, game-breaking talent that can help them take over and win games. I don’t expect a situation in which the Flames will enter the trade deadline wondering if they should be buying or selling.
Dustin Wolf is more than likely to spend most of the season in the NHL. (Sergei Belski / USA Today)
Given the current roster and the prospect pool right now, what will you be looking for as indicators this season that the Calgary Flames are headed in the right direction? — Jory L.
“If you’re not selling winning, you’re selling hope.”
The main theme should be progression for the Flames. Specifically with their youth. If the Flames’ young players take steps forward this coming season, even in losing efforts, that will tell me a lot.
Dustin Wolf is the first person I will look at. As I discussed earlier this week, he’s more than likely to be an NHLer for most of the season. How will he fare with more time with the big club compared to being called up from the minors? If he’s comfortable in net, maintaining his confidence level and faring well against the opposition, that’s a positive. Wolf doesn’t need to win every game. But if he’s doing his part to keep his team in games consistently, that’s a strong step in the right direction.
Connor Zary and Martin Pospisil will start the season as Flames. How will they fare as full-time NHLers? I don’t know how viable either player will be as centres if the Flames try them out there. However, I think both players just need to continue being good players in the Flames’ top nine.
How about Jakob Pelletier and Coronato? Pelletier will need to grab hold of a roster spot and stay healthy. Coronato has shown he can play at the AHL level, but what about some more consistency in the NHL?
Also, which young players will take advantage of the NHL time they will get? I’m thinking of players like Adam Klapka, Ilya Solovyov, Yan Kuznetsov and Schwindt.
My expectations for the Flames are low. I don’t see them as a playoff team. But I’d like to see young players take steps forward and show promise. That should be the focus for this season.
(Top photo of Samuel Honzek: Steven Bisig / USA Today)
