With the start of a new season comes a new round of players under the microscope. This could be for several reasons: their role in the organization has changed or been filled by someone else, they are not meeting expectations, or it’s a matter of needing a fresh start. Thankfully for the Calgary Flames, it does not appear there is any bad blood between players and management. We walk into the season with a new batch of players who are likely in their make-or-break season with the Flames.

Devin Cooley

With Dan Vladar’s departure comes an opening for a backup goaltender. Devin Cooley had a 0.905 save percentage and a 2.94 goals against average over 46 games with the Calgary Wranglers. The Flames also signed Russian goaltender Ivan Prosvetov this offseason. He spent the 2023–24 season between the Colorado Avalanche and their AHL affiliate—the Colorado Eagles—and last season with CSKA Moscow.  The two are expected to battle it out to be Dustin Wolf’s backup.

Cooley has had consistent time with the Wranglers. The opportunity for him to fight for a backup role is there. It is his for the taking.

Connor Zary

The longer Connor Zary holds out, the more pressure falls onto his shoulders. Zary missed a chunk of time due to back-to-back knee injuries. He scored 13 goals and 27 points in 54 games last season. Missing any more time puts him at a complete disadvantage. He cannot afford to miss any more time.

Zary is a complicated case. He has shown that he brings an offensive upside to the Flames and has the finishing touch they have so desperately needed. The thing is, Zary may not be being utilised to his full potential. He was drafted as a centre but shifted to wing through his AHL journey. He finally returned to the middle after the 2023 trade deadline. It has been an experiment, but I’m not sure if there’s been enough of a sample size to make any sort of decision. Has there been a change in his role? Could he and Morgan Frost battle it out for 2C?

Could this go to arbitration?

For all intents and purposes, let’s assume he signs a one-year deal that brings him to arbitration. The expectations will be high—likely around a 20+ goal season for the forward—especially if he is looking for north of $4M this summer. What happens if he falls short? Arbitration can create bad blood between the organization and the player. Is that something either side is willing to risk?

This season may determine his future with the Flames, as well as in the eyes of the fans. What happens if the guy who held out to the 11th hour goes and scores twelve goals and barely cracks 30 points? Might not look too good.

The pressure is still on with a bridge deal. Fans will be watching his every move. “Was he giving 100% this shift?” “Oh, look, he’s missing time due to an injury.” Can Zary prove the doubters wrong?

Looking to crack the code

Rory Kerins 

Rory Kerins was drafted in the sixth round of the 2020 draft. He made his NHL debut last season, where he had four assists in five games. The centre was then reassigned to the Wranglers after that short stint. The Flames have had a bit of a logjam when it comes to their forward group.

The role of a fourth-line centre has also shifted since he was drafted. It’s no longer about the older, gritty veteran who makes the team for veteran presence. Teams are icing fourth lines with more intentions. Whether it’s for a defensive approach or playing on the edge, teams have become more purposeful with their roster construction.

There is no way of telling what Kerins could be in just five games. He is deserving of another shot with the Flames, but can he manage to do that with a crowded roster?

Over the summer, Kerins signed a one-year extension with the Flames. This takes him into another year of team control at the age of 25. This may be a wise decision for the Flames, allowing them to work out a potential trade should they determine Kerins’ duties are no longer needed within the organization. 

Jeremie Poirier 

Jeremie Poirier is a 23-year-old left-handed defenceman who is looking to make his NHL debut. He stands behind players like Yan Kuznetzov and Ilya Solovyov, who are also hoping to find a full-time role with the Flames.

Poirier suffered a traumatic injury early in the 2023–24 season that left his future up in the air. He suffered a skate laceration that sidelined him for 47 games. With this setback comes another set of challenges. He missed out on nearly an entire year of development. The main focus of Poirier’s season should be staying healthy for that potential call-up.

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