Does anyone feel like game 82 is just the beginning?
Tonight, the Flames organization and their following will get a first look at how 2024 ninth overall pick Zayne Parekh handles NHL-quality competition.
Also dressing are Aydar Suniev, Hunter Brzustewicz, and Sam Morton. One drafted, one traded for, and one signed as a free agent out of college.
With the passing of the 2024-2025 campaign and the heartbreak of Calgary’s 10-2-3 stretch drive falling short of the playoffs, we’ll be accompanied with the birth of four NHL careers.
How many members of this underdog group will play the last game in a Flames sweater of their career?
How many played their last game on Tuesday as they rallied from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Golden Knight 5-4 via shootout?
Looming beyond tonight is likely considerable change to the roster. Here is a look at the opening night roster the season prior.
Huberdeau-Lindholm-Dube
Sharangovich-Kadri-Coronato
Mangiapane-Backlund-Coleman
Greer-Ruzicka-Duehr
Hanifin-Andersson
Zadorov-Weegar
Oesterle-Tanev
Markstrom
Vladar
Here is the opening night roster this season. Only two defencemen, seven forwards, and one goalie remained of the previous group; although Walker Duehr was also on the roster.
Honzek-Kadri-Kuzmenko
Zary-Backlund-Coleman
Huberdeau-Pospisil-Mantha
Lomberg-Rooney-Klapka
Weegar-Miromanov
Bahl-Andersson
Bean-Pachal
Vladar
Wolf
And finally, here is last game.
Huberdeau-Kadri-Klapka
Coleman-Backlund-Coronato
Sharangovich-Frost-Pospisil
Lomberg-Rooney-Farabee
Hanley-Weegar
Bahl-Andersson
Bean-Pachal
Wolf
Vladar
The simple truth is that this team is still undergoing an overhaul. Despite exceeding expectations this season, the organization took major steps towards a rebuild last offseason, and that plan is likely going to be carried on to the next step. As General Manager Craig Conroy brings in players that are “his guys,” he loses the ability to completely reformat the group as he’s done in the past, but changes are certainly on the horizon.
Space needs to be made for younger players. Backup goaltender Daniel Vladar is likely on his way out of town as is Daniil Miromanov, who was rumoured to be getting shopped around the deadline. It would be no surprise if pending UFA Kevin Rooney found a new team. Likewise, Joel Hanley probably signs elsewhere after earning a modest raise in Calgary’s top four this season.
The question today is: What changes to the roster do you want to see this offseason?
Are there areas you want to make space or leave alone?
At a Glance
Calgary Flames (40-27-14, 94 pts) vs. LA Kings (48-24-9, 105 pts)
Last Ten: Calgary (6-1-3) LA (8-2-0)
Time: 7:30 p.m. Mountain Standard Time.
TV: SN, SN1
First Line Fancy
Both Zayne Parekh and Aydar Suniev get to play in a top line role tonight. Let’s take a look at the projected lineup.
Calgary Flames Projected Lineup
Courtesy of Pat Steinberg.
@Fan960Steinberg
Suniev-Kadri-Klapka
Coleman-Backlund-Coronato
Sharangovich-Frost-Farabee
Hunt-Morton-Lomberg
Bahl-Parekh
Weegar-Miromanov
Pachal-Brzustewicz
Vladar
Wolf
Lots to like. Morton gets a tryout on line four. Brzustewicz gets a look in Jake Bean’s spot. Half of the lines and pairings have an up-and-comer to watch out for.
We at HockeyBuzz aren’t about tooting horns, but—perhaps one writer had that Andersson/Parekh swap nailed last Saturday.
Chasing Waterfalls
Sophmore winger Matthew Coronato will be pushing for the 25 goal mark tonight. The Greenlawn, New York product sits at 24 after 76 games this season.
Coronato has a goal and two assists for three points in two games against the Kings this season.
Other milestone chasers include Jonathan Huberdeau, who is two short of 30 goals, Blake Coleman, one point short of 40, and MacKenzie Weegar, who needs one assist to reach 40 as well.
Gripping the Stick
It was interesting to see the Flames tie the game up against Vegas only after Anaheim fumbled a 2-1 lead with just 22 seconds to go in their game against the Minnesota Wild.
A classic sports moment. Calgary loosened up and started making plays and found a way to claw back into the game. It will be interesting to see how they play the Kings tonight. The players making their debut likely won’t be too easygoing, but much of the roster will be enjoying one last spin as a group.
The Opposition
Edit: Flames lineup is up. Still waiting on LA.
I’ll be honest: I hate writing game days early in the morning. I woke up at 5:00 a.m. and have waited for five and a half hours for the lineups to drop.
They’re just so important for a game like this. I would hate to be a Vegas oddsmaker on the final day of any given season. LA could dress a skeleton lineup full of black aces if they want to rest their core.
If they don’t? Calgary plays the hottest team in the NHL.
Since March 18:
Calgary: 10-2-3, .767
LA: 12-3-0, .800
Despite taking another step towards legitimacy, Calgary is 2-0-0 against the Kings this season. Both their 3-1 win on Nov. 11 and their 2-1 win on January 11 were contenders for best game of the season for the Flames. Full team effort wins.
Bah That's Andrei's Music
Andrei Kuzmenko doubters once again will have to put up with a firm diet of crow and applesauce.
Who doesn’t like seeing someone rise up from being down and out? All the better that a character like Andrei does it.
LA is 11-3-0 since March 22. Kuzmenko ranks second on the Kings in scoring behind Adrian Kempe (seven goals and 11 assists) over that span.
Tons to talk about this offseason, so be sure to check in this week. Garbage Bag Day will be a wild one.
Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m. MST.
Stats via nhl.com
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»