5 Takeaways From Calgary Flames’ Early-Season Play

The Calgary Flames have had some injury troubles to start the season. Joe Colborne, Mikael Backlund, Mason Raymond and Matt Stajan have all been missing from the Flames’ lineup for some time. Calgary has had to turn to their AHL affiliate, the Adirondack Flames, to fill the roster spots. And the young guys have been contributing. Josh Jooris has led the way with three goals and five points in 10 games.

Listed at 5-foot-9 Johnny Gaudreau has heard it all before: “you’re too small to make it.” Well, Gaudreau has made it, and made it big. He’s made the Flames’ roster for the season and he is one of the team's top producers with 12 points in 16 games played. After Bob Hartley scratched him earlier this season, Gaudreau has been on a rampage. He has six points in his last five games. Gaudreau is a top contender for the Calder Trophy.

As team captain, everyone in Calgary knew about Mark Giordano. This season, however, Giordano is better than he’s ever been. Then there’s T.J. Brodie who’s previously “just kind of been there” for the Flames. In 2014-15, both players have become elite NHL defensemen, and as a pairing, they seem unstoppable. Giordano has 19 points which also leads NHL defensemen, and Brodie has 14 points, good for second on the Flames.

Signing Swiss goaltender Jonas Hiller was a crucial move to the Flames’ early success. Had he not been signed, the Flames may have found themselves in the basement of the standings. Hiller can be credited with stealing games for Calgary, including a 49-save win in Chicago. His 2.23 goals against average and 92.5 save percentage are impressive numbers. Hiller is Calgary’s MVP through 17 games.

Before the 2014-15 season started most people figured Calgary would land in the bottom of the standings and be in contention in the Connor McDavid-Jack Eichel sweepstakes. Now it isn’t difficult to see them pushing for the playoffs. They have strong goaltending in Jonas Hiller, great defense in Mark Giordano and T.J. Brodie, among others, and who knows what could happen if Sean Monahan or Johnny Gaudreau get hot at the right time.