The Flames made significant reserve list changes this summer

It’s no secret that the Calgary Flames underperformed in 2017-18. For a team that had designs on being a playoff contender, missing the postseason by the degree that they did was bound to lead to changes.

General manager Brad Treliving has made a lot of changes since the beginning of April. Let’s take a look at how the Flames’ reserve list has changed since April 1 for an illustration of just how big Treliving’s changes have been.

The big move on the blueline was the swap that sent Hamilton and Fox to Carolina and brought Hanifin to Calgary. Besides that, Treliving seemed content to shed some fringe and depth bodies in an effort to potentially open up some contract spots, as well as take a minor gamble on Hogstrom. Ollas Mattsson was unsigned, but jettisoning Wotherspoon, Goloubef and Bartkowski freed up three contracts for future acquisitions.

In a weird quirk, every single defenseman on the Flames’ reserve list is currently slated to be playing pro hockey – they have zero defenders in Europe, major junior, or college hockey.

The main turnover here was the Flames adding five forwards at the draft and losing 12 on July 1 by allowing them to head to free agency – including five potential restricted free agents that weren’t extended qualifying offers.

The major theme of the forward moves seemed to be “man, the Flames need more options at center.” Treliving added one via trade, three via the draft, and four via free agency while losing just two (Shore and Stajan).

Treliving made big changes, particularly on the forward side. But potentially the biggest surprise is the complete lack of changes in the club’s goaltending personnel – though that changeover may happen next summer as contracts expire and Mike Smith turns 37.

For now, we’ll need to wait and see how all this summer’s changes turn out.