Flames GM reflects on season

The Calgary Flames wrapped up 2019/20 season with a 4-3 overtime win over the Edmonton Oilers. Garbage bag day has come and gone, the exit interviews and coaches meetings were completed.

GM Stephen had this to say about the past season.

“We didn’t make the playoffs again but we took big steps in the right direction. The guys had themselves briefly in 1^st place in the west and even beat the high powered Dallas Stars and took that series 2-1. Throughout the season the guys played their hearts out and overcame injuries to Pettersson and Makar. Two key players moving forward.”

“When I took the team over in midseason of 2016/2017, I set out to rebuild this group from the ground up and from the net out”.  We went from 48 points that season to 82 points this season. Scoring went up and the goals were cut down. Is there room for further growth, YES!  Our team defence needs to continue to improve and our goals need to be cut down further to make the playoffs. Something that organization will look at as a whole to improve.”

“There will be some tough decisions this off season to work on balancing the team in the forward ranks. Young guys like Drake Batherson, Domink Kahun, Zach Sanford, Austin Wagner, Zach MacEwan, Ryan Poehling, Owen Tippett, Cody Glass, and Kaapo Kakko will all be vying for a spot on the main roster.

 “On defence Cale Makar and Rasmus Dahlin look to lead the way and take the next steps in their development. As for Jaccob Slavin his future is uncertain. We received plenty of interests at the deadline and throughout the season. We are very happy with him and his leadership but we would be foolish to not look at options in the off season considering he is an RFA after next season. That being said Slavin is a huge part of the team and what we are trying to build going forward. So if he were to part ways it will be to improve the team in the long run”.

“Our guys in net stood tall in my opinion and I believe they can still take things to whole new level. As the team continues to grow and improve along with an improved team defence our goals against should continue to go down.”

“In talking with Coach Maurice, we both don’t think we are far off from competing for a playoff spot. A couple of tweaks and we will have a team that others will not take lightly”.

“As the playoffs begin we look forward to the upcoming draft and making plans for the off season. We feel we will get a great player regardless where we draft but at the same time we hope the hockey gods smile down on us. After all we climbed out of the basement to be competitive”.

“I am very proud of these guys, I told them to go home, enjoy the summer, and come back all refreshed and ready for an exciting new season.”

See you at the Draft Lottery.