Our Calgary Flames Preview 2019 – 2020 notes that this team had their best regular season in 30 years. However, this Calgary Flames Preview 2019 – 2020 observes that it ended in disappointment. The Flames were knocked out of the first round of the playoffs by the second wildcard, the Colorado Avalanche. Despite the early exit last year, Flames fans should still have a sense of optimism about their club. Our 2019 – 2020 Calgary Flames season preview looks at how this year’s team stacks up to last season’s, and whether they are in line for a deeper playoff run. Overall, we do feel that there are reasons to be optimistic about this year’s edition of the Calgary Flames.
Calgary Flames Preview 2019 – 2020: Goaltending
The Flames biggest weakness is in goal. And it isn’t too much of a weakness either. They enter the season with David Rittich and Cam Talbot in the crease. This Calgary Flames Preview 2019 – 2020 finds that Rittich was pretty solid in his second NHL season. He saw action in 45 games, 24 more than the prior season. Even with the increased workload, he finished with an average stat line. He had a .911 save percentage and a 2.61 GAA. He could see an even greater workload this year as he shares the net with Cam Talbot.
Talbot spent time with both the Edmonton Oilers and the Philadelphia Flyers. He was less than stellar with both teams. Overall, he played in 35 games. He had 11 wins, 17 regulation losses, and three overtime losses. Talbot had a .892 save percentage and a 3.40 GAA. Talbot’s level of play has steadily declined over the past few seasons, and he doesn’t look like a strong backup option. Overall, if Rittich is average again, Calgary will be well enough off in net that they should have a great season.
Calgary Forwards
Calgary’s top line was dominant last season. All three members scored above 0.95 points per game. Johnny Gaudreau led the team in points with 99 on the year. The Boston College product set career highs in almost all statistical categories. This includes goals (36), assists (63), and points (99), as well as plus-minus (+18). Sean Monahan had a terrific year centering Gaudreau. He also set career highs in goals, assists, and points. Monahan was second on the Flames roster with 34 goals and 82 points in 78 games played. Elias Lindholm also crushed his previous career highs. After being acquired last summer, Lindholm finally had the type of year that was expected of him when he was drafted fifth overall in 2013. He finished third on the team with 77 points. The Flames top line is arguably one of the top three-to-five lines in the NHL and looks to be very productive.
Calgary also has an elite forward in Matthew Tkachuk. Tkachuk will enter his fourth NHL season and brings a unique combination of skill and grit. He had 34 goals and 43 assists last season for 77 total points. The 21-year-old wing will likely be among Calgary’s top scorers again this season.
Our Calgary Flames Preview 2019 – 2020 notes that the Flames also have decent secondary scoring. Mikael Backlund and Michae Frolik will both likely account for around 40 points. Backlund had 21 goals and 47 points last season. Frolik managed 16 goals and 18 assists. Frolik and Backlund are also very defensively responsible, finishing with plus-minus ratings of +24 and +34 respectively. Both players will likely slot in on the second line with Tkachuk and see decent ice time.
Flames Preview – Defense
Mark Giordano is coming off his best NHL season. The previously undrafted D-man won his first Norris Trophy at the age of 35. He finished last season with 74 points including 17 goals. Giordano played 24:14 minutes per game and compiled a 39 plus-minus rating. He should have another great season as he attempts to win a second Norris trophy.
Along with Giordano, our Calgary Flames Preview 2019 – 2020 notes that the team also have very solid defensemen in TJ brodie, Noah Hanifin, and Travis Hamonic. Brodie had 34 points last season and a plus-minus of +29. Hanifin is coming off his first season as a Flame. He had 33 points while playing 20:46 minutes per game. Hamonic was limited to 69 games but blocked the seventh most shots in the league. All three provide depth behind Calgary’s star player Giordano.
Calgary Flames Preview 2019 – 2020: Outlook
The Flames look like a very solid team. Our Calgary Flames Preview 2019 – 2020 finds that the only possible issues with their lineup is their goaltending. While the tandem of David Rittich and Cam Talbot is not especially impressive, they should be serviceable with the lineup in front of them. They will be helped tremendously by the solid group of defenseman playing in front of them. Along with this, Calgary has enough fire power upfront to do some damage. Overall, the Flames look to be one of the top teams in the Western Conference again.
Calgary Flames Preview 2019 – 2020: Prediction
Record: 49-27-6, 104 points
Finish:2nd in the Pacific Division
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