Before we get to the game day stuff, the Flames have made an acquisition. The club announced around noon today that Radim Zohorna has been claimed off waivers from the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 6’6” 220lbs Czech winger got limited chances with the Penguins.
2021-22 — Radim Zohorna
Games Played: 17
Average TOI: 10:20
Hits: 23
Hits per 60 minutes of ice time: 7.86
Goals: 2
Assists: 4
Points: 6
+/-: +12
The Flames certainly seem interested in adding giant Slavic players this offseason. Radim is a bit older than Adam Klapka and may be more physically prepared for the NHL.
RELEASE THE ZOHORNA
Game Day — Seattle Kraken
The Calgary Flames are set to play preseason game number six tonight at the Scotiabank Saddledome. For some, this will be an opportunity to try a different line or defence partner. For others, this may be a last chance to make an impression. Let’s take a look at the lines. Courtesy of Pat Steinberg of the Fan960.
@Fan960Steinberg
Mangiapane-Kadri-Dube
Rooney-Backlund-Coleman
Lucic-Eakin-Lewis
Milano-Ruzicka-Ritchie
Hanifin-Tanev
Zadorov-Weegar
Mackey-Stone
Markstrom
Vladar
Here is the Kraken lineup. Courtesy of Mike Benton.
@Benton_Mike
Schwartz-Beniers-Burakovsky
McCann-Wright-Eberle
Donato-Wennberg-Bjorkstrand
Hayden-Geekie-Kuhlman
Schultz-Larsson
Evans-Borgen
Dunn-Fleury
The Blue Line
The pairings for today’s game will be something to note. It’s not likely that we’ll see Tanev and Hanifin taking shifts together very often. Zadorov-Weegar has gotten a few looks so far and hasn’t disappointed. They played on a pairing against the Oilers’ B squad and looked excellent. Zadorov had all the freedom he needed to bully the opposition and step into the rush.
Tonight will be Chris Tanev’s first game as a Flame. Critics will be on the 32 year old if he doesn’t look entirely healthy. He had his labrum surgically repaired in early June and was given a four to six month timetable for recovery. Well, here he is four months later. Hopefully he’s feeling fully recovered.
Strange Places
It’s off-putting to see Kevin Rooney taking the left wing on a line with Backlund and Coleman. The 29 year old from Canton, Massachusetts is a reliable checker, but has only put up a career high of 14 points in 20-21.
Speaking to one Rangers fan over the summer, he had this to say of Rooney:
“I liked him. He played on the fourth line and I didn’t swear at him from my recliner.”
That’s essentially what you hope for out of a fourth line center, but it might be fair to assume he’s serving as a placeholder tonight. With Zohorna joining the organization — that’s likely who soon takes this spot on Backlund’s line. It should be noted that the massive Czech is a left shot.
Setting Son
With zero points through three preseason games, Sonny Milano is running out of time. Tonight he gets to play on a line with some serious size. Both Adam Ruzicka and Brett Ritchie are 6’4” and over 220lbs. This game will be a showing of how he plays when he is desperate.
Fresh Out of the Oven
Tonight will be Andrew Mangiapane’s preseason debut. Sutter has noted to the media that the coaching staff is still figuring out who belongs on the right wing of that line. It’s possible Coleman, Dube, Milano, and Ritchie all get a look.
Puck drop is at around 7:10pm MST.
Trevor Neufeld
@Trevor_Neufeld 
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
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