Puck Daddy’s 2016-17 NHL Preview: Calgary Flames

Last Season: 35-40-7 (77 points), 5th in the Pacific, 12th in the West

After riding a 101 PDO in 2014-15 into a playoff appearance, the Calgary Flames came back down to Earth last season. They missed the postseason and fired head coach Bob Hartley, replacing him with Glen Gulutzan, who was an assistant in Vancouver.

There would be positives, however. Johnny Gaudreau (30 goals, 78 points) and Sean Monahan (63 points) had great seasons and Mark Giordano (56 points) was healthy for all 82.

During the year, out would go Markus Granlund, Jiri Hudler, David Jones and Kris Russell. In would come some draft picks, Hunter Shinkaruk, Jyrki Jokipakka, Brian Elliott and a top pick, which would come at No. 6 in the form of Matthew Tkachuk.

They enter 2016-17 with a new head coach and most importantly, they changed every face in their crease, coming into the new year with a better goaltending situation after the acquisition of Elliott and signing of Chad Johnson.

2015-16 Season, In One Picture

Yeah, that Jack Adams Award isn’t always a pre-cursor for future success.

Did They Get Better, Worse, Or Are They About The Same?

Slightly better. Elliott’s presence will help them win games they would have lost with some of the goaltending they’ve had in recent years. Troy Brouwer will add needed secondary scoring, and you’d expect Monahan and Gaudreau (whenever he re-signs) to continue their development as top scorers. Gulutzan might still be a bit inexperienced as an NHL head coach, but his second opportunity should help improve this team more than Hartley did.

Five Most Fascinating Players

1. Sean Monahan. The 21-year-old center is now the second-highest paid player on the roster, coming off a 27-goal, 63-point season. Given how the Flames are set up, they can’t afford their No. 1 pivot taking a step back.

2. Dennis Wideman. Wideman played three games following his 20-game suspension for hitting ref Don Henderson during a January game. His season came to a premature end thanks to a triceps injury. He’ll turn 34 in March and is entering the final year of his current deal. When he’s not hurt, he’s been productive. It’s a big season for his future.

3. Troy Brouwer. The 31-year-old Brouwer had a stellar postseason with the St. Louis Blues scoring 8 times and recording 13 points. That was after a seventh straight season of scoring at least 17 goals. Now on his third team in three years, the Flames will need his production to continue to help the likes of Monahan and Gaudreau.

4. Brian Elliott. After years of working in a tandem where he was never the undisputed No. 1, Elliott finally has that opportunity with the Flames. His presence alone already improves an area of weakness that’s hindered the team the last several years. In fact, his even strength save percentages the last two seasons (.938 / .926, per Corsica Hockey) would have been two of the top three on the team over the last two seasons.

5. Jon Gillies. The Flames’ goalie of the future was shut down in December after hip surgery. Two years removed from college, he only has seven games of professional experience. How he performs this season will give the Calgary brass a better idea of when he could potentially be the next in line.

Mascot Hijinks Video Break

Harvey the Hound was runner-up in the casting call for “The Littlest Hobo.”

Can We Trust Them At Even Strength?

Calgary was below average at 5 on 5 (48.74 Fenwick, per Natural Stat Trick) but did finish seventh in the NHL with 152 goals at even strength. They had seven players with double digit EVG last season, but you’d like to see those possession numbers go up greatly.

Can We Trust Them On Special Teams?

Poor depth outside of their top units and mediocre goaltending didn’t help the power play or penalty kill units. Brouwer, who’s scored 27 times with the extra man the last three seasons, will help. The power play (17 percent) could use much assistance and the last-place finishing penalty kill (75.5 percent) needs all the improvement it can get.

Can We Trust Their Goaltending?

Yes, finally. After flirting with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Ben Bishop, Elliott will provide a stabilizing presence helping at even strength and the penalty kill.

Player Mostly Likely To Be In Vegas Next Season

Deryk Engelland. He’s to become a UFA next summer and is from Sin City. Sounds like a hometown boy marketing campaign in waiting.

Coach Hot Seat Rating (1-10, 10 being scorching hot)

3. There are no Stanley Cup dreams in Cowtown, so barring the Flames going winless through American Thanksgiving, Gulutzan will be given time to mold this roster back into a playoff team.

Prediction

Is it crazy to think the Flames could get back into the playoffs this season? Not at all. With solid goaltending, better coaching and another set of strong years from Gaudreau, Monahan and Mark Giordano, it’s certainly possible.

2016-17 Season Preview
Anaheim Ducks
Arizona Coyotes
Boston Bruins
Buffalo Sabres

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Sean Leahy is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Sean_Leahy