Welcome to the THW Calgary Flames Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Flames writers.
In today’s edition, how the Flames can address the Edmonton Oilers’ goaltending problems, why defenseman Nikita Zadorov needs an extension, and reports that the Toronto Maple Leafs and Flames have had trade discussions.
Plus, how the team’s youth has provided a spark this season and an archive that looks at goaltenders that the Flames missed out on.
It would be great if you’d share the THW Flames Substack with your friends and family so they can subscribe and enjoy all the latest.
Now, on to the good stuff…
Flames Should Try to Capitalize on Oilers’ Goaltending Desperation
November 11, 2023 by Rupert McDonald
The Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames have both struggled early on this season, but for entirely different reasons. For the Flames, they don’t boast a ton of offensive talent up front, as some of their top paid players in Jonathan Huberdeau and Nazem Kadri appear to be shells of their former selves.
While the Oilers have great star talent in the primes of their career in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, their biggest issue is goaltending. The Jack Campbell signing has already become one of the worst in NHL history, and Stuart Skinner is in the midst of a major sophomore slump. There are other issues as well, but goaltending is a big reason as to why they sit at 2-9-1.
Given their struggles between the pipes, there has been plenty of chatter that the Oilers are looking to make a move for a goalie. Names such as Jake Allen, Jordan Binnington, and Juuse Saros have been mentioned plenty, and while all make sense, there are two others who could be available that they may want to take a look at as well.
Flames Should Be Re-Signing Newfound Leader Nikita Zadorov
November 8, 2023 by Rupert McDonald
The Calgary Flames are in a tough spot. After rumours circulated that it would be a busy offseason of retooling, general manager Craig Conroy instead chose to keep his roster mainly intact, hoping for a turnaround in 2023-24. It’s early, but a turnaround seems unlikely with this group.
While Mikael Backlund signed an extension, several other key pieces are in the final year of their contracts, including Elias Lindholm, Noah Hanifin, Chris Tanev, and Nikita Zadorov. Reports surfaced that discussions had taken place with Lindholm, Hanifin, and Tanev, but a slow start to the campaign seems to have paused those talks. Meanwhile, Zadorov’s status hasn’t been talked about much at all, which is strange given that he should be the top priority to re-sign.
Maple Leafs and Flames Held Trade Talks Over Big D-Man
November 10, 2023 by Jim Parsons
It has been a busy few days for the struggling Toronto Maple Leafs. Just before the Maple Leafs announced defenseman John Klingberg’s sidelining due to injury (the assumption is that the injury reports are true), rumors of trade discussions with the Calgary Flames had surfaced. Hockey analyst and insider Kevin Weekes revealed that the Maple Leafs had been in contact with the Flames regarding defenseman Nikita Zadorov.
While it’s not clear that Klingberg was part of those discussions (likely not), the nature of Klingberg’s struggles this season have become a topic of content among Leafs Nation. The overall lack of strong defense and grit on this Maple Leafs team has also been a huge area of concern. So, to hear that GM Brad Treliving is trying to correct the situation — in part, because of a poor decision he made to sign Klingberg in the first place — is not shocking.
3 Flames Trade Targets to Help Jonathan Huberdeau
November 10, 2023 by Rupert McDonald
Jonathan Huberdeau’s time as a Calgary Flame has been nothing short of a disaster so far. Coming into the organization, there was plenty of excitement thanks to the 115-point season he was coming off of with the Florida Panthers. Any hopes of him replicating that success were quickly shot down, however.
Huberdeau saw a 60-point regression last season, the largest in NHL history, to give him 55 points in 79 games. He looked nothing like the elite winger fans had grown accustomed to over the past several years, resulting in many believing he could bounce back in 2023-24. With just six points in 12 games on the season thus far, however, it doesn’t seem very likely right now.
While fans are growing increasingly frustrated, there isn’t much management can do. The 30-year-old is in the first year of an eight-year deal which carries a monstrous $10.5 million cap hit. Whether Craig Conroy and his staff like it or not, they are stuck with him, and according to a recent report, they are going to do everything in their power to get him going.
Flames That Got Away: 3 Goalies Who Found Success Elsewhere
November 9, 2023 by Greg Tysowski
They say hindsight is 20/20. So, I’m quite positive every single NHL general manager looks back wistfully at former players who simply couldn’t cut the mustard on his team but then found stardom playing for another franchise. Of all positions, it’s no secret that goaltenders are the most difficult to evaluate and develop.
Their progression into full-time professionals can take twice as long as skaters and even then, there is no guarantee of success. That’s why it’s no surprise the Calgary Flames have punted multiple notable netminders who flamed out in cowtown, only to find success elsewhere.
Calgary Flames: Youth Providing Team With Much-Needed Spark
November 9, 2023 by Derek Olsen
The Calgary Flames haven’t had the start they have wanted as they also have a losing record and are far out of playoff contention at the moment. However, they recently found themselves on a two-game winning streak and are looking to right the proverbial ship.
The team began the 2023-24 campaign by going 2-7-1 in their first ten games. Big-name veterans like Jonathan Huberdeau and Nazem Kadri, among others, have had a tough time getting going. Defensively, the team had let in 38 goals and scored just 22. Now, the team has outscored the opposition 10-5 in the last two games and looks like a markedly different squad. The glaring discrepancy is in roster changes: the Flames called up prospects Connor Zary, Martin Pospisil, and Nick DeSimone and inserted them into the lineup before the two wins. Coincidence? We think not. The injection of youth has ignited a fire, pun intended, under the Flames’ behinds. An analysis of their difference-making play is warranted.