The Calgary Flames dressed 15 different defencemen during the 2023-24 campaign, the highest total of any team in the NHL and enough manpower that the rearguards could have entered their own float in the Stampede parade.
They may require name tags at training camp, since so many of these guys — a mix of mid-season acquisitions and over-the-summer arrivals — are relatively new around here.
We continue our fresh batch of Flames’ depth charts with an updated look at the blue-line brigade.
Recent additions
The Flames welcomed Kevin Bahl — an imposing presence at 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds — in a trade from the New Jersey Devils and then signed Calgary-raised Jake Bean, a former standout for the WHL’s Hitmen, in the opening hours of the free-agent frenzy. Their prized pick-up at the 2024 NHL Draft was Zayne Parekh, who produced a staggering stat-line with the Memorial Cup champion Saginaw Spirit and won the Canadian Hockey League’s Defenceman of the Year award. They also selected Henry Mews of the Ottawa 67’s and Eric Jamieson of the Everett Silvertips.
Recent departures
There were a lot of in-season farewells on the blue-line with Noah Hanifin, Chris Tanev and Nikita Zadorov all traded away. The latest to leave, it seems, will be Oliver Kylington. Extension talks fizzled and the Masterton Trophy finalist remains unsigned on the free-agent market. Nikita Okhotiuk has returned to Russia, although the Flames will retain his NHL rights, while Dennis Gilbert headed home to Buffalo and Jordan Oesterle beetled to Boston.
Still on the to-do list
It wouldn’t be a bad idea for the Flames to add another lefty with some experience in a top-four role and the 27-year-old Kylington still is looking for a job. Hmmm. While general manager Craig Conroy had warned this door was closing, we’re not ready to rule out a reunion. Yan Kuznetsov and Ilya Solovyov, who both logged their NHL debuts last season, need new contracts as restricted free agents.
If the season started tomorrow
Rasmus Andersson and MacKenzie Weegar best be ready to play a ton of minutes this coming season. They are, after all, the only established top-four types on Calgary’s backend. Bahl suited up for all 82 games with the Devils in 2023-24 and the 24-year-old is poised for a significant role at the Saddledome. Bean, 26, still is trying to maximize the tool-kit that made him a highly touted prospect while Daniil Miromanov has an intriguing offensive skill-set and is adamant he is just coming into his own at 27. Brayden Pachal likely rounds out the starting six-pack, with Joel Hanley slotted as the spare.
Rookie watch
This was not so long ago considered a thin spot on Calgary’s organizational depth chart, but the Flames now boast an impressive — and exciting — stockpile of point-patrolling prospects. Parekh has future face-of-the-franchise potential and some believe this 18-year-old puck-whiz could earn an NHL look-see as soon as this fall, although the best bet is he will spend one more season in junior. Hunter Brzustewicz, after leading the OHL in assists last winter, is ready to turn pro. The 19-year-old righty will start his climb with the Wranglers. Artem Grushnikov, 21, impressed at development camp and don’t forget that 22-year-old Jeremie Poirier was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team in 2022-23 before his sophomore campaign was spoiled by injury.
Don’t forget about
After trading Zadorov to Vancouver in late November, Conroy stressed he was optimistic that the Flames had a ready-to-go replacement for Big Z, saying he was keen to create a roster spot “to bring up a young guy that we feel very highly of in that same kind of role.” Solovyov was recalled the next day, but the 23-year-old has yet to establish himself as a full-timer, with a total of 10 appearances at the top level. He still seems to be on the wrong side of the roster bubble, so he’ll need to outplay some of his pals at training camp. His penalty-kill abilities could be an asset.
Burning question
Just how good can Parekh be? This one won’t be answered right away, but when you see that he averaged 1.45 points per game as a draft-eligible and hear comparisons to Erik Karlsson and Cale Makar, you can’t help but daydream about his eventual impact.