20-05-2025
FLAMES RETOOL TRACKER: In-depth look at the Flames centre positon
The Calgary Flames season may have ended in April and with the NHL draft coming up in June, Postmedia sports reporters Danny Austin and Wes Gilbertson take a deep dive into the team's centre position and what could be needed and what some of the strengths are.
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There's no position on the ice where the Flames need to add more depth than at centre, but where do they actually stand?
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Hopes should still be high for Morgan Frost. Acquired alongside winger Joel Farabee in the deal that sent Jakob Pelletier and Andrei Kuzmenko to Philadelphia, the 25-year-old could be a fixture on the Flames power-play and a middle-six pivot for years to come … but the early returns didn't exactly blow anyone away. Frost had only three goals and nine assists in 32 games with the Flames and those numbers don't exactly fill you with confidence, do they? Were those numbers the result of a tough, confidence-draining end to his time in Philly under John Tortorella? Could a good summer and a full training camp with the Flames bring out the best in him? He's a restricted free agent this summer and it's going to be interesting to see how much the Flames are willing to offer him. How much do you pay for potential?
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As they search for long-term solutions at centre, they can't afford to not find out. They should be reminded of that whenever Sam Bennett scores a big goal — or throws a big hit — on behalf of the defending champion Florida Panthers.
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However, he may also have the most upside of any of Calgary's potential pivots. He spent about a month and a half at that position this season, an audition that was halted by injury.
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It's an experiment that the Flames can't abandon, even if there's not an obvious opening in the short term.
There are several ingredients that could point to success as a centre, his natural position as an up-and-comer. (This lefty would be the first to admit he'll need to improve his work at the dot. He has won just 39.4% of his draws as an NHLer).
