This article is part of our A Look at the Free Agent Market series.
The Flames were expected to be the team at the bottom of the barrel in 2013-14, with many prognosticators ranking them among the worst in the NHL heading into the season. While they only picked up 77 points on the season, Calgary was more competitive than predicted, offering some glimmers of hope along the way.
The growing pains will likely continue during the upcoming season, although the Flames should continue to improve after a surprisingly active offseason. Jonas Hiller was brought in to usurp Karri Ramo as the team's goalie, and Mason Raymond and Devin Setoguchi were added to the fold as low-risk, high-reward veterans. The loss of Michael Cammalleri hurts, but the emergence of former first-round pick Sean Monahan lessened the sting. Scoring may still come at a premium, however.
Defense remains the strength of the Flames, with Mark Giordano and his 47 points leading the charge. Dennis Wideman remains a stalwart on the blue line, and youngsters Kris Russell and T.J. Brodie combined for nearly 60 points last season. If they can play consistent defense along with supplying potent offense -- and keep the pressure of Hiller and Ramo -- the Flames will take some teams by surprise in 2014-15.
The Big Guns
Jiri Hudler, RW (RotoWire Position Rank*: #47): Hudler nearly matched his career-high in points last season, garnering 54 points (17 goals and 37 assists) in 75 games. He is a first-line stalwart for the Flames and is perhaps their best offensive weapon. Hudler's a
The Flames were expected to be the team at the bottom of the barrel in 2013-14, with many prognosticators ranking them among the worst in the NHL heading into the season. While they only picked up 77 points on the season, Calgary was more competitive than predicted, offering some glimmers of hope along the way.
The growing pains will likely continue during the upcoming season, although the Flames should continue to improve after a surprisingly active offseason. Jonas Hiller was brought in to usurp Karri Ramo as the team's goalie, and Mason Raymond and Devin Setoguchi were added to the fold as low-risk, high-reward veterans. The loss of Michael Cammalleri hurts, but the emergence of former first-round pick Sean Monahan lessened the sting. Scoring may still come at a premium, however.
Defense remains the strength of the Flames, with Mark Giordano and his 47 points leading the charge. Dennis Wideman remains a stalwart on the blue line, and youngsters Kris Russell and T.J. Brodie combined for nearly 60 points last season. If they can play consistent defense along with supplying potent offense -- and keep the pressure of Hiller and Ramo -- the Flames will take some teams by surprise in 2014-15.
The Big Guns
Jiri Hudler, RW (RotoWire Position Rank*: #47): Hudler nearly matched his career-high in points last season, garnering 54 points (17 goals and 37 assists) in 75 games. He is a first-line stalwart for the Flames and is perhaps their best offensive weapon. Hudler's a solid -- if unspectacular -- fantasy winger and should end up with 50-60 points again in 2014-15.
*RotoWire Position Ranks reflected for points-based leagues*
Mark Giordano, D (RotoWire Position Rank: #9): After a disappointing couple of seasons, Giordano bounced back in a major way in 2013-14. The blueliner tallied 14 goals, 33 assists and a plus-12 rating in just 64 games, and was one of the premier defenders in the game. He found great chemistry with up-and-comer T.J. Brodie, who will likely be his partner on defense again this season. Giordano should repeat as one of the top fantasy defensemen in the NHL.
Jonas Hiller, G (RotoWire Position Rank: #25): Hiller had a solid regular season for the Ducks in 2013-14, amassing a 29-13-7 record to accompany his 2.48 goals against average. But after a second-half swoon, Hiller was replaced by Frederik Andersen and John Gibson in the playoffs, with Anaheim ultimately moving on from Hiller in the offseason. If he can recapture his first-half form, Hiller won't have much trouble taking the No. 1 goalie spot in Calgary. He will, however, have to beat out Karri Ramo, whose game improved significantly in the last couple months of the past season. Hiller is more likely to get the No. 1 spot, although he will likely assume something of a timeshare with Ramo toward the beginning of the season. Still, being a No. 1 goalie in Calgary is a tough gig, so his numbers will reflect that.
On the Rise
Sean Monahan, C (RotoWire Position Rank: #51): Monahan's rookie campaign started about as well as possible, as the 18-year-old rookie raced to nine points in his first eight games. He cooled off considerably, but still ended up with 22 goals and 12 assists in 75 games -- quite the feat for a player his age. Monahan should only get better as he gets more experience, and the sky is the limit for the 19-year-old center. While the Flames may continue to bring him on slowly and start him on the third line to begin the season, it would be surprising not to see him in the top six by season's end.
T.J. Brodie, D (RotoWire Position Rank: #74): Brodie had a breakout season in 2013-14, tallying a career-high 31 points in 81 games. The 24-year-old defenseman is a star in the making, especially while playing alongside the tough, but offensive-minded Mark Giordano. Brodie and Giordano form one of the better-scoring No. 1 defensive pairings in the NHL, and it's certainly within Brodie's capacity to top 40 points this season. That makes him a must-draft in standard leagues and a future stud in dynasty formats.
Two to Watch
Curtis Glencross, LW (RotoWire Position Rank: #40): An ankle injury caused Glencross to miss three months in 2013-14, but he finished the season on a major roll and totaled 24 points in 38 games. When healthy, Glencross is a 25-to-30 goal, 20-to-25 assist forward that can give fantasy owners major boosts when he gets hot. Just beware of the cool periods, particularly in head-to-head formats.
Mason Raymond, LW (RotoWire Position Rank: #34): Raymond had a streaky season in Toronto in 2013-14, scoring 16 points in 14 October games, but cooling off to 45 points over the 82-game season. He was the Flames' top offensive signing and he should slot into a top-six forward spot to replace the departed Michael Cammalleri. Raymond has never been a top-flight scorer and he certainly doesn't fit the gritty style beloved by team president Brian Burke. In any case, he should still provide stable scoring for the Flames, though nothing overly exciting.
Don't Overrate
Matt Stajan, C (RotoWire Position Rank: #97): Stajan had a decent season in 2013-14, piling up 33 points in 63 games, but taking a minus-13 in the process. He figures to be one of the top two centers in 2014-15, but youngster Sean Monahan will push him for one of those spots. Stajan once had a 55-point season with the Maple Leafs, but hasn't been able to put together anything similar since and will likely be in the 30-to-40 point range come season's end.
Devin Setoguchi, RW (RotoWire Position Rank: #78): Setoguchi had only 27 points in 75 games last season with the Jets, after three straight 20-plus goal seasons in previous years. It may be tempting to take Setoguchi as a flier for a bounce-back season, but his best seasons came surrounded by a host of offensive talent. He won't be afforded that luxury in Calgary.
Top Prospects
Johnny Gaudreau, LW (RotoWire Prospects Rank: #6): The reigning Hobey Baker winner was downright dominant at Boston College his senior year, delivering 36 goals and 44 assists in only 40 games. He also scored in his Calgary debut, setting high expectations for the start of 2014-15. The slight (5-foot-7, 150 lbs.) winger could use some more muscle on his frame, but has a good chance of making the Flames in the fall. There's no question of his talent level, but it remains to be seen if he can endure the rigors of an NHL campaign.
Sam Bennett, LW (RotoWire Prospects Rank: #12): Bennett is a chippy and explosive offensive center who has a holster full of pro-level skills. His release is like a rocket, which makes his wrister a lethal weapon. He can blow past defenders wide. His vision on the ice is so good it seems like he really does have eyes in the back of his head. He loves to drive the net and he can change the outcome of a game on any given shift. And to top it off, he plays a remarkable 200-foot game, something that young players can sometimes forget. Bennett was one of the most exciting players in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft and he's going to bring some gritty razzle-dazzle to Calgary. He'll be a big-game player once he matures. But he needs to pack some pounds onto his 176-pound frame to withstand the grind of the NHL. He'll be a top-line, offensive center, but that won't be for a few seasons.
Jon Gillies, G (RotoWire Prospects Rank: #48): Gillies will return to Providence College for his junior season, after posting a 2.16 GAA and .931 save percentage over 34 games for the Friars as a sophomore. The 20-year-old earned first-team All-American honors for his efforts, and the former third-round pick could ultimately be a long-term solution in the net for the Flames. He could decide to turn pro after Providence finishes their season, and if he continues to excel in the AHL, an appointment to the big club at some point in 2015-16 wouldn't seem far-fetched.
Mark Jankowski, C (RotoWire Prospects Rank: #84): A teammate of the Flames' top goalie prospect, Jon Gillies, at Providence College, Jankowski showed some improvement as a sophomore for the Friars, racking up 13 goals and 12 assists over 39 games. Still, Jankowski, the Flames' first-round selection in 2012, is still believed to be far away from contributing to the parent club. The organization remains high on him for his skills as a skater and his soft hands, but his development isn't going to as quick as initially hoped.
Max Reinhart, C (RotoWire Prospects Rank: #86): Reinhart was the top scorer in Abbotsford last season, putting up 63 points in 66 games. He also registered two assists in eight NHL games, and will get another look in the fall after being one of the primary injury call-ups over the last couple of years in Calgary.
Bill Arnold, C (RotoWire Prospects Rank: #97): Arnold doesn't have the hype of fellow Boston College alum and teammate Johnny Gaudreau, but he still recorded 53 points in 40 games in his senior season. He has an outside shot at making the Flames in the fall, but it is more likely he will begin the season in AHL Adirondack.
Emile Poirier, LW (RotoWire Prospects Rank: #99): After burning up the QMJHL for three years, Poirier finally got a shot in the AHL in 2013-14 and took full advantage, scoring four points in two games. A first-round pick in 2013, Poirier looks to make some noise with AHL Adirondack this season in hopes of raising some eyebrows in Calgary. Poirier is still raw at 19 years old, however, and could use a year or two in the minors before getting prolonged time with the Flames.
