Adam Ruzicka's Hot Start & Dan Vladar Trade Destinations
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In today’s edition, we have a piece on Adam Ruzicka’s hot start, Dan Vlader’s trade destinations, and more.
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Flames’ Kadri Looks Disinterested Through 6 Games
October 23, 2023 by Rupert McDonald
Aside from Jonathan Huberdeau, there was arguably no skater on the Calgary Flames who needed a bigger bounce-back season than Nazem Kadri. The 33-year-old was expected to be a big part of why the Flames were a contender in 2022-23, as fans expected big things from him after he was signed to a seven-year, $49 million deal.
Instead, Kadri, like many on the Flames roster last season, struggled to put up points. The first half of the year was actually a personal success, as he was selected to play in the All-Star Game. Afterward, however, his production took a nose dive, and many fans began to question his effort level near the end of the year. While he sounded more than excited to return to Calgary for year two, his body language on the ice is continuing to raise concerns.
Flames Hope Ruzicka Can Avoid Decline After Another Great Start
October 21, 2023, by Rupert McDonald
For the second straight season, the Calgary Flames are getting some great play from Adam Ruzicka. The 24-year-old wasn’t a lock to make the opening night roster out of training camp, but was able to play well enough to give himself an opportunity. Through five games of the 2023-24 campaign, he is making Ryan Huska and the rest of the coaching staff look like they made the right call.
Ruzicka was able to score the game-winning goal on Thursday night (Oct. 19) versus the Buffalo Sabres, giving him two goals and two helpers on the season. He is impressing Huska early on, and as a result has been given opportunities in the top nine, averaging over 13 and a half minutes in ice time so far. That said, if he wants to continue getting put in good opportunities, he will need to ensure his play doesn’t decline as the season progresses.
Flames’ Leading Scorers by Decade
October 20, 2023 by Ryan Gagne
Die-hard fans of the Calgary Flames will be familiar with the top scorers in franchise history, with Hall of Famers like Jarome Iginla, Al MacInnis, and Joe Niewendyck ranking among the top five best skaters to ever wear the Flaming C jersey. Additionally, skaters like Theo Fleury, Gary Suter, Johnny Gaudreau, and Kent Nilsson find their names all within the top ten in points in franchise history.
According to NHL.com, 588 skaters have played for the organization, with 504 of them registering at least one point. As the Flames continue to play through their sixth decade in the league, we break down each previous decade’s leading scorer in what will be a fun way to look back at the careers of some of the franchise’s best skaters.
Flames: 3 In-Season Trade Destinations for Dan Vladar
October 19, 2023 by Rupert McDonald
Despite the 2023-24 season being young for the Calgary Flames, trade rumours are already swirling around the team. Many were expected to happen with this organization in the offseason, but general manager Craig Conroy instead remained patient, moving only Tyler Toffoli while holding onto the remainder of his roster.
One such player who was rumoured to be on the move in the offseason was Dan Vladar. Despite having two years remaining on his contract thanks to an extension signed ahead of the 2022-23 season, many believed Vladar would be on the block in order to make room on the Flames for Dustin Wolf. For one reason or another, however, he remained with the team through the summer, resulting in many assuming he would remain with them for the entirety of the 2023-24 campaign, if not longer. However, that may not be the case.