2014-15 record: 45-30-7
Lost to Anaheim in Conference Semi-Finals
Captain: Mark Giordano
A year ago, the Calgary Flames were expected to be one of the harder working teams with little to show for it. However, that hard work translated to a playoff berth and a series win for the first time since 2004. Now, expectations are higher, and the Flames didn't stand pat, as they improved an already solid defensive unit and got one of the better free agents on the market. Though the Flames were in the top ten on offense, a majority of that was the Johnny Gaudreau/Sean Monahan, Jiri Hudler line. A fully healthy Sam Bennett could change that, as he proved to be worth the wait after missing much of the season due to shoulder surgery and spending time in Kingston to get back in playing shape. Michael Frolik comes to the Flames as a solid two-way player that can help a penalty kill unit that wasn't great. Sometimes, the best defense is a good offense, and the blue line provides just that, as three players (Mark Giordano, TJ Brodie, and Dennis Wideman) scored over 40 points each while Kris Russell missed by six points. Now, they will have Dougie Hamilton as a teammate, and the Flames look dangerous in that area, with any combination of Deryk Engelland, Tyler Wotherspoon, newcomer Jakub Nakladal, and a recovering Ladislav Smid competing for that sixth defenseman role.
If you're looking for a potential weakness, it's in goal, as Jonas Hiller, Karri Ramo, and Jani Ortio are all competing for the starting job. While the Flames finished in the middle with a similar configuration last year, three goalies on one-way contracts could either be a genius move or a disastrous one.
Prediction: 3rd in the Pacific Division
Expectations are higher in Calgary, and even though the goaltending situation is far from settled, everything else looks good. The question is whether how the players will respond to increased pressure to succeed now that they are no longer in the shadows.
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