It’s no secret that the Calgary Flames were lean on right-handed centers last season. Until they acquired Nick Shore at the trade deadline, they simply didn’t have any. While the Flames probably weren’t crippled by having only southpaw centers on a macro level, their 2017-18 season was essentially “death by a thousand cuts” and having to rely on Troy Brouwer as their primary right handed option in strategic situations probably cost them draws here and there (and some games, too).
The signings of Derek Ryan and Austin Czarnik, along with the acquisition of Elias Lindholm, are probably an indication that general manager Brad Treliving is paying attention to both the forest and the trees in the context of his team’s disappointing season.