2017-18 record: 37-35-10 (84 points)
Missed the playoffs
Captain: Mark Giordano
The 2017-18 season was a logic defying time for the Calgary Flames, as they somehow got 84 points out of uneven play throughout the season. The only thing that made sense was that they missed the playoffs and they are now starting over again with a new head coach and Brian Burke is gone. They swapped a few chairs, brought in a perennial threat to score 30 goals every year, and still have the same goaltending problems that have plagued them since Mikka Kiprusoff retired in 2013. Where does that leave them?
The Flames were 26th in scoring, which is unacceptable for a team that has Sean Monahan, Johnny Gaudreau, and Mikael Backlund as their top players. To that end, they signed James Neal to a five year deal, which should solve some of their offensive problems, and they brought in Elias Lindholm to bring depth to the center position. Where the Flames desperately need improvement from here is Sam Bennett, who hasn't come close to his draft status. For all the moves made, this is still a top heavy team up front, so if their stars don't produce to their standards, it will be a long season for the Flames. Defensively, this is a really good unit on paper, even with Dougie Hamilton being swapped for Noah Hanifin. Of course, it means little once the teams hit the ice, and there is no way a team with Mark Giordano, TJ Brodie, Hamilton, Travis Hamonic, and Michael Stone should be ranked 19th in goals against. Beyond Hamilton for Hanifin, this unit remains unchanged, and the sum of the parts must be better than what it has been. In goal, it's Mike Smith and whoever the Flames decide on for a backup. Smith was actually very good, but like almost every other season for him, health is key, as he was injured once again. David Rittich was in over his head in his first season with the team, but he figures to be the backup to start the season. There is also the matter of a new head coach, as Glen Gulutzan and his clueless ways were chucked aside for Bill Peters and his vanilla ways. The Flames should be better, but they may also be predictable for the wrong reasons.
Prediction: 7th in the Pacific Division
The prediction is dependent on the Oilers and Coyotes improving, which seems to be expected for both teams. While the Flames improved their scoring and got a little younger in the trade with Carolina, they need their blue line to play better and for some magic pixie dust to fall onto their goaltending so they can accomplish things, especially when Smith is out due to injury. They could make the playoffs if everything goes right, but in Calgary, that is rarely the case.
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