After taking a step backwards last season, the Calgary Flames have entered 2016-17 with renewed hope of moving forward.
Along with impressive young forward talent in Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan, Sam Bennett, and rookie Matthew Tkachuk, the Flames put together an equally impressive defensive core which includes TJ Brodie, captain Mark Giordano, Nicklas Grossmann, and last season’s big acquisition Dougie Hamilton. They addressed league-worst goaltending (anemic team save percentage of .898) by making a trade with the St. Louis Blues for Brian Elliott and acquiring former Buffalo Sabre Chad Johnson in free agency.
Head coach Bob Hartley ultimately paid the price for last season’s disappointments, and enter Glen Gulutzan, in his second career head coaching opportunity, to take the helm.