In this case, the headline California Dreamin’ does not apply.
There were probably a lot of long faces Sunday at the departures gate at Calgary International Airport, with the Flames demoting 14 hopefuls— two are pending waivers — to their American Hockey League affiliate in Stockton, Calif., and returning one skater to the junior ranks.
After Sunday’s cuts, 32 guys — 18 forwards, 11 defencemen and three netminders — remain on the Flames’ training-camp roster. Nine more must go before opening night, although that will include at least a couple of names on the injured list.