Dusk of the Long Night: Calgary Flames Season Preview

It's a poorly kept secret that our Calgary Flames are in for a rough season. They are, in fact, the odds-on favourites to finish dead last in the league (and, for some reason, to draft first overall, even though they would have only a 25% chance of doing so even if they were guaranteed to be the worst team, which they aren't). I'll admit it doesn't look good--though on the other hand, I'm looking forward to this season more than I was last season, largely because the perpetual smog of futility and mediocrity surrounding the team is FINALLY gone. Joy. There's the scent of change on the air, and the Flames are beginning the process of coming about and steering their ship back into contention, rather than heading for the shoals as they had been for the past several seasons. You could argue that they've already run aground, but at least the ship is in tact and likely still buoyant.

In short (unheard of in these parts, I know), the Flames will be bad for probably the next three years or so.  Likely painfully bad. But at least they're starting to head in the right direction, and they'll probably be a pretty fun team to watch.

Oh Captain, My Captain

The question on everyone's minds is: Who is the Captain? Well, probably Mark Giordano. Originally (and, arguably, still) I was in favour of rolling with three 'A's this year and not naming a Captain until the team was back on track, with its new identity and what have you. But apparently no one agrees with me. So, who then?

Curtis Glencross was my choice, at least initially. He strikes me as a true leader. He's always engaged--mentally and emotionally--in the game (some would argue too engaged, as he does have a tendency to take bad penalties on occasion), he leads by example, and he's genuinely committed to the city, the fans, and the team.

Most fans, experts, etc. however, have a different name on their lips: Mark Giordano. It's really not difficult to imagine why, either. Giordano has spent his entire NHL career with the Flames, who signed him (undrafted) out of the OHL and, aside from a year spent in the now-defunct RSL, have been his home ever since. Giordano has been wearing an 'A' for the team since pretty much forever, and his emergence as a complete three-zone defender was one of the main reasons Darryl Sutter felt comfortable moving noted headcase Dion Phaneuf out of town (and getting pretty much Matt Stajan in return, but that's another issue). Giordano plays an honest game, he has some puck skills, and great skating ability. Though he isn't quite your ideal number one defender, that's what he is for the team now, for good or ill (unless TJ Brodie sees another abrupt jump in his development, and perhaps the only thing I've learned from watching him over the years is that it's never safe to think you've figured him out. So, that could happen). Moreover, Giordano has impressed me with many of the interviews he's taken recently. He's caused me to reconsider not only my stance on Glencross as the ideal Captain, but also my insistence that the Flames shouldn't have a Captain yet at all.

Who plays and with whom?

Of course, it is impossible to know Bob Hartley's mind regarding line combinations (aside from the practical certainty that Glencross and Stempniak will play together) but it's always fun to speculate. Who knows, maybe I'll be right for the first time ever.

These are the line combinations I would like to see (at least to start with):

Glencross - Backlund - Stempniak

Obviously, this unit would see the bulk of the heavy lifting. It consists of three players who, at various times, have shown to be capable of pushing the puck in the right direction under difficult circumstances (particularly Backlund). Lee Stempniak has flourished since joining the Flames, and he and Glencross have formed a very productive combination the last few years. I feel like Mikael Backlund is the best center for this line, because he is an excellent puck possession player and the best two-way forward on the team. He isn't great on faceoffs, but his all-around ability and two-way acumen more than make up for that. In Glencross and Stempniak, he has two wingers who know how to score goals.

Cammalleri - Stajan - Hudler

After a reasonably decent season, much-maligned C Matt Stajan (pictured giving Oilers C Ryan Nugent-Hopkins a friendly pat on the face) has a chance to regain some credibility on a young Flames squad.

One could, perhaps, consider Backlund and Stajan interchangeable. The reason Stajan (who has, apparently, spent more time in his career with Boyd Devereaux than with Cammalleri) makes it onto this unit is because I assume this line would receive more offensive zone starts--and thus Hudler and Cammalleri would benefit from a center who wins draws, so they can get the puck to the net sooner rather than later. This line has the highest potential for scoring output, and Stajan has a more proven track record of posting points than Backlund does. Don't be surprised if the bulk of the Flames' scoring comes from this line, though it is likely that Cammalleri will draw the toughest defensive players from opposing teams.

Baertschi - Horak - Jones

Fans are understandably excited about Swiss LW Sven Baertschi

This is really the year Horak has to start showing some progression in his offensive game, and my opinion is that he does. I'm a Horak fan, and I think he is the best of the candidates to center the Flames' "third" line. His wingers give him an interesting mix of skillsets. Sven Baertschi is on the verge of breaking out, and giving him a center (Horak) who is just as eager to impress could prove beneficial. In David Jones, this line receives some experience and a track record (however inflated) of offensive production. Though his 20 goal seasons were the result of bizarrely high percentages, it is nevertheless a fact that Jones knows how to score, and likes doing it. I feel like this line could thrive under slightly easier minutes (though no one on the team is likely to see copious amounts of offensive draws), and Horak's defensive zone acumen and speed could be big assets as well.

Bouma - Galiardi - Jackman

LW Lance Bouma has a chance to solidify himself as a regular NHL player

Somewhat odd to be putting TJ Galiardi on a fourth line, but nevertheless, it seemed the thing to do. Lance Bouma likely would have been a full time player last season, if not for a season ending injury sustained during the lockout. I've always liked Tim Jackman, as I think he brings a certain amount of energy to the team, and is not without utility as a regular player, either. It is also possible that one of Corban Knight or Blair Jones centers this line instead, and Galiardi shifts to the wing.

And yes, Sean Monahan goes back to junior.

Giordano - Wideman

D Dennis Wideman probably doesn't get enough credit for his overall game

There isn't much doubting that these are the two best defenders on the team (though TJ Brodie would likely have something to say about that). Still, Brodie is young, and Giordano and Wideman seem like the two most likely to be able to handle tougher minutes. I'm not saying it'll be pretty, but it looks probable at this point. Both are good puckmovers, and know their way around the offensive zone, and are not without defensive zone ability either.

Brodie - Russell

TJ Brodie surprised last season--as he is wont to do--and solidified himself as one of the team's top defenders. He has not shown much in the way of offensive touch in his NHL career as of yet, but the skill is there, as is the determination. Brodie's best asset is his truly elite skating, and his defensive zone play has improved exponentially since he was drafted. As much as I like him, I feel that his introduction to a full season of top four minutes should be taken rather slowly, having him start on a light puck moving pair. In that situation, I like Kris Russell's skating and puck distribution ability rather well, and he ought to help Brodie with the zone exits, at the very least. Russell has never managed impressive underlying numbers, but Brodie has, so they may help each other out. It is worth noting that, on balance, Russell has been quite good in camp.

Smith - O'Brien

Chris Butler was, put simply, quite awful last season. I'm not a fan of Smith either (he was also bad last year. Like, real bad) but he has been slightly impressive in training camp, and is a cheap, expedient option for the third pair who (unlike Butler) can fill in on the powerplay. It's mostly a test of utility here, and Smith has more of it than Butler. As for O'Brien, he's a big physical guy on the back end. Nothing special, but he's passable at even strength and can help the penalty kill. Chad Billins and Mark Cundari are possibilities here as well, and will likely see time in the lineup.

Ramo
Berra
MacDonald

The Flames are praying that someone turns out to be better than G Joey MacDonald

I think the Flames roll with three goalies next year, because I don't see any way that they send MacDonald to the minors. Nor do I see him unseating either of the European imports. I think Ramo takes the starter spot over Berra, and I doubt many people disagree. This leaves the two spots in Abbotsford for Joni Ortio and Laurent Brossoit.