Latest news with #Flames'
Edmonton Journal
7 days ago
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Cowan: Careers of Canadiens' Emil Heineman, Panthers' Sam Bennett intertwined
Article content Brad Treliving — general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs — was the Flames' GM at the time and he dealt Bennett to the Panthers, along with a sixth-round pick in the 2022 draft, in exchange for Heineman and a second-round pick in 2022. Flames scout Bobbie Hagelin was really high on Heineman. 'Going into the draft last year (2020) I remember Bobbie saying: 'You want this guy to put a Calgary Flames jersey on,' ' Craig Conroy — who was the Flames' assistant general manager at the time and is now GM — told reporters in Calgary after acquiring Heineman on April 12, 2021. 'But when we got to our pick (in the second round), he was obviously gone. 'As far as work ethic and compete (level) Zach Hyman would be a comparable,' Conroy added about Heineman. 'That's the type of compete he has. When you watch Emil, that's what he looks like to me on the video and a lot of the highlights. He has good hands, too. He protects the puck. He finishes checks. He's a dog on the bone on the backcheck. That's what we really like about him. And when you talk to Bobbie and Hakan (Loob) and any of our European scouts about him, everyone is the same — they felt like this would be a huge asset to get into the organization and someone to grow with.'
Edmonton Journal
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
FLAMES RETOOL TRACKER: Emergence of two righties provides hope on wing
Matt Coronato and Adam Klapka look like they can be the Flames' top-six right wingers of the future Adam Klapka of the Calgary Flames warms up prior to the game against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place on March 29, 2025. Getty Images The most encouraging storyline of the 2024-25 season for the Calgary Flames was the emergence of Dustin Wolf. You need a stud goalie if you're going to win in the NHL and the Flames look like they've got one. Put a checkmark next to that box. Is it possible, though, that two right-handed wingers breaking through would be the second-biggest development? Only a year ago, the — completely correct — consensus was the Flames were severely lacking on the right. There were times late in the 2023-24 season when Andrei Kuzmenko was the only right-handed forward playing on a nightly basis for the team. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters. Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account. Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters. Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account. Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Here is what my colleague Wes Gilbertson wrote when he broke down the Flames' depth chart on the wing around this time last year. 'He could have company in Matt Coronato, who seems ready for a full-time gig. There is opportunity, too, for the towering Adam Klapka.' Twelve months later, those words seem prescient. A big part of the Flames' retool is developing youth at every position and there might not be a spot on the ice where the Flames are further ahead in doing that than right wing — other than between the pipes. Coronato not only proved he was ready for a full-time gig this season, he was an offensive driver who showed real star potential. In his first full NHL season, the 22-year-old was third in team scoring with 47 points, including 24 goals. Read More Essential Oilers news, insight, opinion and analysis. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. And it felt like he was only scratching the surface of what he can do as an NHLer. Selected 13th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, Coronato was rewarded with a seven-year contract that will pay him $6.5 million US annually, securing his place as a core piece of the Flames' future. 'I think now he kind of knows what he needs to do, how to score, where he needs to go on the ice, find those quiet areas, when to leave the zone early to maybe get some chances off the rush,' Flames GM Craig Conroy told Postmedia after the signing. 'And he's only going to get more and more comfortable with that. And as he does, as an organization, we're hoping the (goal) totals go up too.' If there were question marks around Coronato last spring, they revolved entirely around how long it might take him to fully find his feet at the NHL level. Fortunately for the Flames, he appears to be a quick learner. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. There were bigger questions about Klapka. He had been good in the AHL with the Calgary Wranglers, but was completely unproven in the NHL. At 6-foot-8 and weighing in at 235 lbs., there was no debate about whether he had the size to compete, but we were still waiting to see if he could put it together and be a viable option on the right for the Flames long-term. There's still plenty to prove, but his play this season suggests there's lots of reason to feel optimistic. Klapka played in 31 games for the Flames, scoring six goals and adding four assists, but was especially good coming down the stretch when he was moved into a first-line role on the right of Nazem Kadri. That was unexpected. 'It shows me he can do it,' Conroy said at the end of the season. 'There's more to Adam. The one thing I was worried about when he got onto that top line was 'Oh, is he going to want to finish checks and do the little things that got him to move up there?' because he does have skill and he's got a nice shot. 'It's a nice thing to have, when you don't have to go find that in free agency and you've kind of home-grown it.' If Klapka can keep progressing and Coronato keeps getting better, the Flames might suddenly have two top-six right-wingers to build around. The early returns on 2024 first-round pick Matvei Gridin have been encouraging, too. The future looks bright. A lot brighter than it did a year ago. For anyone looking for proof that the retool is heading in the right direction, the Flames' newfound strength at right-wing should offer it. daustin@ X: @DannyAustin_9 Sports Politics Cult of Hockey Politics Edmonton Oilers
Calgary Herald
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
FLAMES RETOOL TRACKER: Emergence of two righties provides hope on wing
The most encouraging storyline of the 2024-25 season for the Calgary Flames was the emergence of Dustin Wolf. Article content Article content You need a stud goalie if you're going to win in the NHL and the Flames look like they've got one. Put a checkmark next to that box. Article content Is it possible, though, that two right-handed wingers breaking through would be the second-biggest development? Article content Only a year ago, the — completely correct — consensus was the Flames were severely lacking on the right. There were times late in the 2023-24 season when Andrei Kuzmenko was the only right-handed forward playing on a nightly basis for the team. Article content Article content Here is what my colleague Wes Gilbertson wrote when he broke down the Flames' depth chart on the wing around this time last year. Article content Article content 'He could have company in Matt Coronato, who seems ready for a full-time gig. There is opportunity, too, for the towering Adam Klapka.' Article content Twelve months later, those words seem prescient. Article content A big part of the Flames' retool is developing youth at every position and there might not be a spot on the ice where the Flames are further ahead in doing that than right wing — other than between the pipes. Article content Coronato not only proved he was ready for a full-time gig this season, he was an offensive driver who showed real star potential. In his first full NHL season, the 22-year-old was third in team scoring with 47 points, including 24 goals. Article content Article content And it felt like he was only scratching the surface of what he can do as an NHLer. Selected 13th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, Coronato was rewarded with a seven-year contract that will pay him $6.5 million US annually, securing his place as a core piece of the Flames' future. Article content Article content 'I think now he kind of knows what he needs to do, how to score, where he needs to go on the ice, find those quiet areas, when to leave the zone early to maybe get some chances off the rush,' Flames GM Craig Conroy told Postmedia after the signing. 'And he's only going to get more and more comfortable with that. And as he does, as an organization, we're hoping the (goal) totals go up too.' Article content If there were question marks around Coronato last spring, they revolved entirely around how long it might take him to fully find his feet at the NHL level. Fortunately for the Flames, he appears to be a quick learner.
Edmonton Journal
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
FLAMES RETOOL TRACKER: Matvei Gridin has highlight-reel potential on right wing
Article content It's all there in a short n' sweet package, a shorthanded snipe from early March. It must have been the most dazzling of his 44 goals this season on behalf of the QMJHL's Shawinigan Cataractes, a count that includes eight playoff markers. Gridin's blazing speed is on display as he wins a race to a loose puck through the neutral zone. The Flames' first-rounder hits the turbo button at his own blue-line and although an opponent is already nearing centre, he has soon smoked right past him. His soft hands are on display as he capitalizes on this sudden breakaway. The Russian winger settles the puck and flicks his wrist to hoist a shot under the cross-bar from close range. His confidence is on display as he cruises by the rival bench, raising his right glove as if he is expecting a round of congratulatory fist-bumps from his foes. 'I think fans loved the celly the most,' Gridin said.
Calgary Herald
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
FLAMES RETOOL TRACKER: Matvei Gridin has highlight-reel potential on right wing
Article content This highlight clip, which has racked up views on social media and been volleyed back-and-forth in countless fan group chats, is a showcase snippet of what makes Matvei Gridin one of the most fascinating forward prospects that the Calgary Flames have had in recent memory. Article content It's all there in a short n' sweet package, a shorthanded snipe from early March. It must have been the most dazzling of his 44 goals this season on behalf of the QMJHL's Shawinigan Cataractes, a count that includes eight playoff markers. Article content Gridin's blazing speed is on display as he wins a race to a loose puck through the neutral zone. The Flames' first-rounder hits the turbo button at his own blue-line and although an opponent is already nearing centre, he has soon smoked right past him. Article content His soft hands are on display as he capitalizes on this sudden breakaway. The Russian winger settles the puck and flicks his wrist to hoist a shot under the cross-bar from close range. Article content His confidence is on display as he cruises by the rival bench, raising his right glove as if he is expecting a round of congratulatory fist-bumps from his foes. Article content 'I think fans loved the celly the most,' Gridin said. Article content This goal — and cheeky celly — from Flames prospect Matvei Gridin today extends his goal streak to four games and makes it seven goals in his past seven games. He was drafted with the first-round pick Calgary got from Vancouver in the Elias Lindholm trade. — Darren Haynes (@DarrenWHaynes) March 10, 2025 Article content Fans in Calgary have been quick to fall in love with Gridin, a left-shot who has primarily played right wing as a junior. He just turned 19, so patience is required, but he has all the tools to become a fixture on the first or second line. His shot is already a weapon, but wait until he adds some more muscle to a 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame. Article content Article content Gridin's arrival may have been slightly under-hyped because he was the second of the Flames' first-round selections at the 2024 NHL Draft. His name was called at No. 28 overall, roughly two hours after the organization welcomed Zayne Parekh. Article content Both are now huge factors in the future plan. You're not alone if you're imagining that a Parekh pass and then a Gridin one-timer could be the recipe for a lot of power-play tallies. Article content Article content He is also the most gifted goal-scorer in the pipeline. Article content Article content That could be a heck of a combo. Article content 'I just see a guy with size, speed, skill, a good shot. He has everything,' said Flames general manager Craig Conroy. 'You watch his games, he's an explosive skater. He had a goal where the puck got pushed ahead and he's … ' Article content Conroy pauses and flashes his fingers forward, indicating a burst of speed. Article content Yeah, he is referring to that same highlight — the March 8 shortie against the Quebec Remparts. Article content 'We've seen a handful of clips where he just blows away the people he's out on the ice with, and it's not even close,' said Flames director of player development Ray Edwards. 'He can separate. He scored some goals this year where he found a puck in the neutral zone and just beat a defenceman cleanly wide. Obviously at the next level, that will be way harder, but those are the things that stand out.
