The 2024-25 National Hockey League season begins in a week, and over at Daily Faceoff, Frank Seravalli and Jason Gregor have been previewing every single division on the DFO Rundown podcast! On Monday, Seravalli and Gregor previewed the Pacific Division, which includes a look at the Calgary Flames.
With the Flames embarking upon a bit of a change in direction this season after a tumultuous few seasons, the gentlemen had a few things to say about the hockey club during a nine minute discussion.
Among the highlights…
Seravalli on some upcoming roster decisions:
“The most interesting part of Calgary’s season is going to be the decisions that they’re ultimately going to have to face when it comes to players like Rasmus Andersson and Andrei Kuzmenko and what happens with, is there a taker for Anthony Mantha? Does he find his game again? And do you ultimately have to have a larger, more holistic conversation about someone like Nazem Kadri? Is there value? How can the Flames continue to create value with some of the pieces that they have?”
Seravalli with some potential news regarding Tyson Barrie and the Flames’ goaltenders:
“Just from a news standpoint: I think it’s a foregone conclusion, it’s happening, that Tyson Barrie is signing a contract with the Flames. But what I don’t think is as settled that I’m fairly certain people haven’t really clued in on is their goaltending situation is fascinating. Dan Vladar’s coming off of surgery. They really, really like Devin Cooley and obviously believe that Dustin Wolf is their goaltender of the future. Don’t be surprised if the Flames carry three goalies for awhile, and don’t be surprised if Devin Cooley gets more of an opportunity than some people might believe or want to believe.”
Gregor’s a bit more bearish on Dustin Wolf than Seravalli is:
Gregor: “If anybody thinks that Wolf was just going to come in and take the mantle from Markstrom, that is the ultimate Utopian thinking. I don’t think it’s realistic.”
Seravalli: “I don’t think it’s insanely far-fetched, either. I think he’s probably better than you’re giving him credit for.”
Seravalli thinks Flames should leverage cap space as much as possible by taking on bad contracts: “…the Flames are looking and have been looking in that space, just haven’t really found a ton that has met their fancy to this point.”
Gregor noted that 2026 top prospect Gavin McKenna plays in nearby Medicine Hat. Seravalli: “I don’t know if they’re capable of bottoming out that much with some of the pieces that they have.”
Gregor has Flames seventh in division (ahead of only San Jose), Seravalli has them sixth (ahead of San Jose and Anaheim).
The whole segment is worth checking out over at Daily Faceoff and everywhere you get your podcasts.