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 re-build or re-tool. That’s over. Whatever you want to call it, the Flames have aggressively dismantled the core of their previous era and are invested in growing back into contention over the next couple of years.
That’s exciting, honestly. More exciting than just lingering in the NHL’s mushy middle and hoping to catch fire in the playoffs. It might be a few years before first-round draft picks Zayne Parekh and Matvei Gridin start contributing, but when you add them to the list of prospects Conroy has already acquired, the future does, indeed, look bright.
There are lots more picks coming in the next few years, but the next era has begun in earnest. Conroy has made it clear, both in media interviews and undoubtedly in conversations with his counterparts around the league, that if you need to be bailed out of salary-cap jail, he is willing to help. For a price, of course.
With nearly $20 million US in available wiggle room, the Flames are a perfect partner for a salary dump and Conroy is ready to dance. In these type of trades, the appeal is not the player that you’re receiving, but the sweetener to take on the remainder of their contract. The best examples this summer have come out of San Jose, with the Sharks pocketing a pair of draft picks — one second- and one third-rounder — as thanks for adding Jake Walman and Cody Ceci to their payroll.
It feels like only a matter of time before Conroy makes a similar swap. I largely agree with Wes’ points on this one, but for the sake of debate, let’s imagine a world where Conroy does absolutely nothing. Would that be such a bad thing? I really don’t think it would.
Every year, there are organizations that think they’re going to be in contention and quickly realize their teams aren’t quite what they thought they were and have to switch things up in a hurry. If that involves moving an expensive piece or two — along with draft picks or prospects — in desperation, then that’s all the better for the Flames. Everybody in Calgary understands where the Flames are at in their development process and that gives Conroy the luxury of patience and time.
There’s no need to rush into anything until the right deal is available, even if it means waiting a few months. This one is tricky because I scan the list and see a lot of what the Flames have enough of already — left-shot wingers and right-handed defencemen. But how about Steven Lorentz, one of the names freshly engraved on the Stanley Cup? The 28-year-old could provide depth at the centre position and would set a positive example for the kids while not necessarily blocking their path to the big leagues.
Right-winger Kailer Yamamoto could also be an interesting target. He’s still only 25 and we know from his days with the that there is plenty of offensive ability in that pint-sized package. You’d be buying low on Yamamoto, who put up underwhelming numbers last season in Seattle, managing just eight goals and 16 points in 59 games.
Go back to May of 2023 when Conroy was being introduced as the Flames GM and he said this: “I think in past years, as we’ve gotten close to training camp, we’ve filled up roster spots with veteran players and I think my goal is to let these (young) guys battle it out and fight for it and see if they can do it.” Now, Conroy has dealt away a lot of veterans since then and there isn’t any shortage of opportunity for the young talent in the Flames’ system this year, so maybe that has changed. I’d love to say the Flames should take a shot at a guy like Filip Zadina, who has been labelled as a flop since being selected sixth overall in the 2018 NHL draft but, as Wes said, the Flames aren’t exactly short on left-shot wingers.
I don’t see any other obvious fits out there right now. and.
