Questions facing Flames in a very busy July
Summers are busy, especially as the Flames work to improve and face an expansion draft
In this case, no news is presumably good news for Brad Treliving.
The Calgary Flames were an inconsistent and underachieving bunch in 2021, and many wondered if their playoff miss might cost Treliving his job as GM.
There has, however, been no word of a front-office overhaul at the Saddledome.
As we enter the most important month of what could be the most intriguing off-season in Flames' franchise history, Treliving remains at the helm.
With so many critical decisions looming during a jam-packed July for the league, which includes the Seattle Kraken expansion draft, the 2021 NHL
Draft and the start of the annual freeagent frenzy, it would be a jaw-dropper if ownership switched shot-callers now.
Here are 10 more questions facing Treliving — heading into his eighth campaign as the roster architect in Calgary — and the Flames in the coming weeks.
QHow much dough does Johnny want?
ADuring his exit interview, team scoring leader Johnny Gaudreau declared that he is open to a contract extension with the Flames, reminding reporters, “I don't think I've ever once said I haven't wanted to be here.” Others have been saying so for years, insisting the wee winger was counting down until he could sign closer to home as an unrestricted free agent. Gaudreau's current deal, with an annual salary cap-hit of US$6.75 million, expires at the end of this coming season. What makes this matter more urgent is his modified no-trade clause kicks in July 28, allowing him to veto a swap to all but five squads of his choosing. Is Gaudreau, now 27, the type of piece you build around? That's another debate, but the first order of business is to find out how much loot — and term — he'll be seeking on his next contract. If the numbers won't work, it's time to seriously consider trade offers.
QCan they keep their captain?
AIt's not a question of whether Mark Giordano will be exposed in the July 21 expansion draft. While it would be a shame if this madein-calgary success story — he arrived an undrafted underdog and is now a Norris Trophy winner — finishes his career in another crest, this can't be a sentimental decision.
The Flames can only protect three defenceman and it would be foolish to risk losing any of these younger, cheaper options — Rasmus Andersson, Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev. The question is, can Treliving strike a side-deal to persuade Kraken general manager Ron Francis to pluck somebody other than Giordano? Or will that price — presumably a draft pick — be too steep? After all, a playoff outsider shouldn't be mortgaging the future to keep a guy who will turn 38 in the fall, even if he's a franchise all-timer.
QIf not, how do they fill the void?
AIt wouldn't be a surprise if the Kraken are keen on Giordano — he's a heart-and-soul sort and proved down the stretch that he is still capable of logging mega minutes. He's a definite captain to be the first captain in Seattle. On an expiring contract, he'd also be an attractive trade-deadline chip if they fail to contend as an expansion troupe. So what if Giordano is a goner? His departure would leave a major void on the left side of Calgary's defensive depth chart and after a rocky season, young left-hander Juuso Valimaki hardly seems ready for a top-four role. The other internal option is Connor Mackey, who has all of six nights of NHL knowhow. If Giordano winds up on the West Coast, Treliving will be scouring the trade or free-agent market for a replacement.
QIs Eichel an option?
AIt's not often that a superstar centre — especially one who is just entering the prime of his career — is available on the trade market, but it seems certain that the Buffalo Sabres will deal disgruntled dynamo Jack Eichel this summer. Treliving always wants to be involved in these sort of sweepstakes and the 24-year-old Eichel would be a franchise cornerstone, so long as there aren't longterm concerns about a neck injury that limited him to just 21 appearances this past season. The Flames don't have a high pick or an obvious stud prospect, so our best guess is Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams would start his ask with Matthew Tkachuk, world championship standout Andrew Mangiapane and an up-and-comer.
QWho are they willing to trade?
AEverybody is expecting a major move from Treliving this summer, and the rumour mill is already churning. There was a mention — from player-turned-podcaster/analyst Shane O'brien during a hit on NHL Network Radio — that Tkachuk might want out of Calgary, although that has been rebuffed. There was a report that Sean Monahan, fresh off hip surgery, could be had. There will certainly be speculation about Gaudreau's future in the Flaming C. This core needs a shakeup, so it wouldn't be a shock if one of the marquee men is jettisoned before the end of July. Perhaps, a better question is who would fetch the most significant return? After the Flames flopped this past season, there can't be a long list of untouchables
QWhat's possible in the Pacific Division?
AThe Montreal Canadiens finished 18th in the overall standings during the condensed campaign — the Flames actually managed more wins but didn't pile up nearly as many loser points — and yet the Habs are now skating in the Stanley Cup final. While you never plan to just barely squeak in, it's been proven again and again that anything can happen in the second season. With that in mind, don't forget that the Flames will be competing in the NHL'S weakest division next winter. Beyond the Vegas Golden Knights and Edmonton Oilers, the Pacific will include five non-playoff squads — and all three California-based clubs are in the throes of a rebuild — and the expansion Kraken. If you can be third-best among that bad bunch, you're guaranteed a ticket to the dance.
QHow do they bolster their forward cast?
AThe Flames figured that forward depth could be a strength this past season, but that didn't turn out to be the case. They'll once again be shopping for a right-handed scorer, a seemingly endless search since Jarome Iginla left town and especially important again now that Elias Lindholm
— the inaugural winner of the Harley N. Hotchkiss Award as team MVP — is settled at centre. While they need more pop after averaging only 2.77 snipes per night in 2021, the other priority is to find some down-the-lineup dudes who are suited to Darryl Sutter's brand of hard-nosed and defensive-minded hockey. Part of that quest is trying to land veteran contributors on value contracts. Just look at Corey Perry's impact on the Habs, and the 36-year-old is earning just a smidgen more than the NHL'S minimum wage.
QWhat's the backup plan?
AThe Flames always seem to be in the market for a masked man but for the first time in a long time, it's not a starter they're seeking. While Jacob Markstrom had one slumpy stretch — the netminder was, by his own admission, not up-to-snuff for a few weeks after returning from an injury absence — during his first campaign in Calgary, he showed before and after why he was offered that six-year, $36-million contract last fall. Sutter loves to lean on his go-to goalie and Markstrom has workhorse capabilities, but you still need a reliable second-stringer. Unless the Flames think that Artyom Zagidulin — with 29 minutes of NHL experience and so-so stats in the minors — is ready for the job, they'll be looking to ink an experienced backup when free-agency opens July 28.
QWho are they targeting at No. 12?
ATheir scouts have been beating this one around for a while.
The Flames own the No. 12 selection in the first round of the 2021 NHL Draft, their highest pick in several years but not a slot where you expect to find immediate help. At that peg and with not a lot of can't-miss kids in their pipeline, they'll likely go with the best-player-available mindset instead of being choosy about a particular positional need. Many mock-drafters have been connecting forwards Chaz Lucius and Cole Sillinger to Calgary. Maybe Mason Mctavish, a dependable centre whose dad Dale had a short stint at the Saddledome, will fall out of the presumed top tier. The Flames could look in their own backyard at blue-liner Corson Ceulemans of the AJHL'S Brooks Bandits. We won't know until the name-calling starts on July 23
QWho's the next coach in Stockton?
AThis might not seem like top of the to-do list material, but it's an important decision for the Flames. After three seasons as skipper for the AHL'S Stockton Heat,
Cail Maclean received a call-up of his own, promoted to become an assistant on Sutter's staff. While most fans might not be able to even name the farmclub skipper, this is a crucial job in any organization. Maclean played a significant role in helping Mangiapane, Dillon Dube and others prepare for prime time. The Flames will have a hat trick of top prospects — first-round forwards Jakob Pelletier and Connor Zary and goalie-ofthe-future hopeful Dustin Wolf — turning pro for the upcoming season, and all three will likely be stationed in Stockton. Who will be overseeing their development?