By Eric Francis
CALGARY – The Calgary Flames are set to begin the upcoming season with a roster largely unchanged from the one that concluded last season with an impressive 11-2-3 record, a result of a rather uneventful off-season.
This consistency is beneficial for a team that has built positive momentum and is committed to fostering young talent.
Despite amassing 96 points, which matched an NHL record for the highest point total by a non-playoff team, the Flames organization remains dedicated to its youth-focused strategy, ensuring opportunities for promising young players to advance and mature within the team.
A significant roster decision looms concerning Rasmus Andersson, whose potential trade before or during the season would directly influence the playing time and defensive pairings of the highly anticipated newcomer, Zayne Parekh.
As the ninth overall pick in 2024, Zayne Parekh is poised to begin the season with the main squad, being too young for the AHL, especially after his promising NHL debut last season, where he scored in Game 82.
General Manager Craig Conroy hopes another prospect will earn a spot through training camp, similar to Sam Honzek last year. However, the current forward lineup presents considerable internal competition, making it challenging for another young player to secure a regular position immediately.
Duncan Priestley