With Calgary Flames training camp set to open tomorrow (Wednesday, September 20th), how many spots are actually available for newcomers to the Flames’ NHL roster? It doesn’t look like there’s going to be a ton of space, but without a single PTO attending camp, it’s invigorating to know Conroy is following through with his vision for a more youthful lineup by providing opportunity to homegrown prospects.
Forwards
Within the Calgary Flames forward group, I see eight locks, two players highly likely to be on the team on opening night, and two who control their own future in camp. If all 12 of those skaters are with the Flames on opening night, that leaves 14 prospects (there are currently 26 forwards listed on the Flames roster) fighting for the role of 13th forward (which the Flames may or may not carry depending on the cap and D-men situations).
When looking at my projections below, keep in mind that Duehr is on a one-way deal (and performed very well in his 27 games last season). Pelletier is a lock for me personally, but for the sake of this exercise and the fact he hasn’t played a full season yet, we’ll call him highly likely. It sounds like Matthew Coronato has a genuine opportunity to make the team and may even be given some top-line minutes during upcoming pre-season games. Adam Ruzicka needs to show up and perform in order to make the roster on opening night; prospects are knocking.
According to Conroy yesterday, Connor Zary will be given plenty of opportunity during Flames training camp and in pre-season games. Following the prospects camp, I’d also be keen to see if the towering yet silky Adam Klapka can take control of his destiny.
Forward locks
- 10 – Jonathan Huberdeau
- 11 – Mikael Backlund
- 17 – Yegor Sharangovich
- 20 – Blake Coleman
- 28 – Elias Lindholm
- 29 – Dillon Dube
- 88 – Andrew Mangiapane
- 91 – Nazem Kadri
Highly likely forwards
- 22 – Jakob Pelletier
- 71 – Walker Duehr
Forwards in control
- 39 – Matthew Coronato
- 63 – Adam Ruzicka
Forwards who could steal a job
- 43 – Adam Klapka
- 47 – Connor Zary
Defence
On the back end, we have six locks for roster spots, including Oliver Kylington, because I don’t think he will be sent down to the AHL’s Wranglers, but rather skate with the Flames as the seventh D if he needs more time to get back to game speed.
Beyond that, we’ll throw the remaining D with potential to make the roster out of Flames training camp (as the seventh D or sixth if Kylington is not ready to go) into one category: bubble defencemen.
Defence locks
- 4 – Rasmus Andersson
- 8 – Chris Tanev
- 16 – Nikita Zadorov
- 52 – MacKenzie Weegar
- 55 – Noah Hanifin
- 58 – Oliver Kylington
Bubble defencemen
- 37 – Yan Kuznetsov
- 48 – Dennis Gilbert
- 72 – Jeremie Poirier
- 82 – Jordan Oesterle
Goalies
Conroy, along with head coach Ryan Huska and goaltending coaches, Jordan Sigalet and Jason Labarbera, have a plan in the back of their minds for how to approach a three-headed goaltending situation in Calgary to begin the season.
Expect Jacob Markstrom, Dan Vladar, and Dustin Wolf all to start games for the Flames this season. Based on Conroy’s comments, I anticipate the club will use Wolf’s waiver exemption and the convenience of having the Wranglers in Calgary to make this work. Out of camp, we’ll likely see Markstrom and Vladar on the Flames roster with Wolf on the Wranglers for a short period of time before being called up.
If there’s any thought of trading Dan Vladar, sending him down is not an option due to waivers and the fact that it would plummet his trade value from an optics perspective.
Goalie locks
- 25 – Jacob Markstrom
- 80 – Dan Vladar
Goalies to start with Wranglers but be called up
- 32 – Dustin Wolf
Wranglers full-time goalies
- 35 – Oscar Dansk
Overall, I’m relieved not to see PTOs at camp and really like the opportunity available for players like Coronato, Klapka, and Zary on the front end.
Who are you most excited to see in game action during the upcoming Calgary Flames pre-season? Who could steal a roster spot out of Flames training camp? Check out the full Calgary Flames camp (and pre-season) schedule here.