Young players are in the lineup and more will get the chance
I won’t go into too much detail here. Instead, check out my article on youth in the Calgary Flames’ lineup here for a bit of background info.
The team is younger than it was last year and more youth will have opportunities to step into the lineup this season. With near certainty, Dustin Wolf will get meaningful NHL starts. When Jakob Pelletier returns from injury, he may join the Wranglers for a conditioning stint, but the Flames will absolutely try to get him into the lineup as soon as he’s ready. In addition to those two future cornerstone players, prospects like Connor Zary, Ilya Solovyov, Adam Klapka, Jeremie Poirier, and Cole Schwindt could spend time with the Flames depending on injuries, trades, and performances from currently rostered Flames.
If fans are upset with the Huberdeau and Kadri deals because of their AAVs and how old each of those players will be when their contracts expire, those same fans should find some relief knowing that youth are getting opportunities – players on entry-level contracts are low cost and age becomes an attractor versus a detractor.
While patience is a virtue when it comes to watching rookies play in the NHL, we should be thrilled about Matthew Coronato, Pelletier, Wolf, Zary, Poirier, and any other young players you’re rooting for who are knocking on the door.
I hope you enjoyed this healthy dosage of positivity. If you’re still reading this, thanks so much for being here. I appreciate you. – Brett