We’re now just one month away from the ’ exhibition opener. The auditions start Sept. 22 in Seattle.
As the off-season winds to a close, we checked in with Flames beat reporters Wes Gilbertson and Danny Austin to chat summer storylines, Craig Conroy’s next move and could-be targets for buy-low signings or training-camp tryouts. When the Flames return to the ice in mid-September — and even before then — Postmedia will have all the action covered. For me, the storyline of the summer has been patience.
That’s really a continuation of what I think has so far been Craig Conroy’s greatest strength as general manager and it’s an important trait because there’s a real risk in trying to fast-track this sort of roster overhaul. Conroy showed patience in the Jacob Markstrom trade talks, not budging until the New Jersey Devils were willing to include a first-round pick. He didn’t stray from the plan in free agency, either, sticking to short-term contracts.
He signed blue-liner Jake Bean and sparkplug winger Ryan Lomberg to two-year contracts and inked forward Anthony Mantha for a single season, which makes him a prime candidate to be shopped prior to the trade deadline. Patience also paid off for those who’ve worked for years toward a new arena, with shovels now in the ground on what will be known as Scotia Place. For me, it’s the idea that the future starts now.
For the past two years, there was a relentless debate around Calgary about whether the Flames should r.