Kategoria:
NHL Blogi
Flames: A Season of Uncertainty and Untapped Potential
The 2022-2023 NHL season for the Calgary Flames was a tale of missed opportunities and near-misses. Though the Flames narrowly missed the playoffs by just two points, their performance, when broken down by advanced metrics like ESBC Power AI ratings, suggests they might have been a more competent team than their standing indicates. As the 2023-2024 season looms, a changing of the guard in the front office and coaching staff, coupled with roster adjustments, marks a season of uncertainty but also untapped potential.
The Story of Last Season
While the Flames missed the playoffs, their ESBC Power AI ratings were favorable, indicating they were somewhat unlucky. Their PDO—a stat that combines a team's shooting percentage and save percentage—was only 980, the second-worst in the league. These numbers point to an unfortunate reality: Calgary underperformed, both between the pipes and in converting shots into goals. The tandem of Jacob Markström and Daniel Vladar was particularly underwhelming.
The season culminated in significant administrative changes. General Manager Brad Treliving left, and head coach Darryl Sutter was shown the door.
New Beginnings
Craig Conroy is the new GM, and the head coaching reins have been handed over to Ryan Huska, a man who has been with the organization for nearly a decade, first as an AHL head coach and then as an NHL assistant. The familiarity could be a double-edged sword: While Huska knows the team well, he also inherits a setup in need of refreshing strategies.
Offseason Roster Moves
Tyler Toffoli, last season's top scorer, is no longer with the team, and experienced defenseman Michael Stone has retired. The most notable addition is right-winger Yegor Sharangovic, who could potentially notch 20+ goals this season. Also, keep an eye on youngster Dustin Wolf, who might give Markström and Vladar a run for their money in the goalie department.
Players to Watch
The coaching change could be a windfall for players like Jonathan Huberdeau, who didn't exactly thrive under Darryl Sutter's system. Huberdeau could find the new setup more conducive to showcasing his offensive flair.
The Season Ahead
On paper, Calgary has a competitive team. However, with the departure of a seasoned coach like Sutter, it's more likely they will miss the playoffs, albeit by a narrow margin. Huska's promotion is intriguing but laden with question marks: Can he bring a fresh approach after being ~10 years in the organization?
Final Thoughts
The Calgary Flames are entering a season steeped in both risk and promise. Advanced metrics suggest that they might have been a bit unlucky last season, and perhaps a fresh coaching perspective and the emergence of untapped young talent could tip the scales. Yet, it's hard to ignore the vacuums left by Toffoli and Stone, as well as the uncertainty stemming from a new management structure.
As it stands, the Flames are teetering on the edge—capable of surprising us all but equally at risk of falling short yet again. Only time will tell if they can defy the latter scenario and break through into the postseason.
(Please read our Disclaimer for NHL Team Points Distribution Histograms.)
Here you can find all our (so far revealed) team previews
ESBC - Together more from the games!
Uutiset ja blogitekstit RSS-syötteenä