Three scorching matters: Is it time for the Flames to speak commerce?

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It’s early, however the Calgary Flames are one of many NHL’s shock tales of the season up to now.

That’s what occurs when a projected also-ran skates by way of the primary 5 video games with a 4-0-1 document. They’re certainly one of 4 groups that has but to endure a regulation loss within the early levels of the 2024-25 marketing campaign.

The Flames will look to proceed their roll throughout a three-game homestand — Tuesday’s go to from Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins, Thursday’s conflict in opposition to the Carolina Hurricanes and Saturday’s joust with the Winnipeg Jets. That’s a very robust check on Hockey Night time in Canada.

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Because the Flames look to keep up their momentum, Postmedia beat reporters Danny Austin and Wes Gilbertson examine in with one other version of Three Scorching Subjects …

With the Flames off to a 4-0-1 begin, is there one participant, individual or place group that isn’t getting sufficient credit score for his or her efficiency up to now?

GILBERTSON: We’re not speaking sufficient about Ryan Huska’s affect, and the pinnacle coach in all probability wouldn’t thoughts if it stayed that manner. Huska does, nevertheless, deserve a heap of credit score. He has his squad taking part in each a relentless and a accountable model. Past that, he appears to have each man within the lineup believing they’re a giant a part of the recipe for fulfillment. That feeling is just not all the time simple to attain. The Flames are taking part in with a ton of tempo, in all probability greater than we anticipated from a roster that doesn’t embody a variety of burners, and the boss has rewarded them with loads of relaxation days. Huska has additionally made some savvy personnel choices — Jonathan Huberdeau on the penalty kill, Martin Pospisil at centre, a rotation between the pipes, and so on. Spectacular work up to now, coach.

AUSTIN: I do assume it’s form of exceptional how shortly Kevin Bahl appears to have settled in. That shouldn’t essentially be a shock, on condition that he did play 82 video games for the New Jersey Devils final season, however Bahl is third on the group in ice time per sport, at 20:52, and is a +5 by way of 5 video games whereas choosing up two assists. The 24-year-old strikes across the ice easily, particularly for a man who’s 6-foot-6 and weighs in at 230 lbs., and he all the time appears to be in the precise spot on the ice. There appears to be fast chemistry between Bahl and his accomplice on the blueline, Rasmus Andersson, who has gotten off to an important begin, too.

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One of many ace insiders reported final week that the Flames have been procuring the commerce marketplace for a middle-six centre. What will we make of that?

GILBERTSON: That is my thirteenth season on the Flames’ beat, and I feel they’ve been purchasing for a centre for almost that whole stretch. It’s no secret they’re at present skinny up the center, particularly after shedding their solely right-handed choice when Cole Schwindt was claimed on waivers, so it’s hardly a shock that common supervisor Craig Conroy is perhaps checking the worth on pivot prospects. However I wouldn’t fear that it is a signal the Flames are abandoning or accelerating their long-term plan due to a scorching begin, or that Conroy is instantly prepared to commerce future property for a fast repair at his former place. Persistence has been certainly one of Conroy’s robust fits as GM, and a five-game level streak shouldn’t change that.

AUSTIN: I didn’t make a lot of it, if I’m being completely sincere. That’s to not counsel that the Flames wouldn’t make a transfer for a middle-six centre if one was obtainable, nevertheless it takes two to tango in the case of trades and it will in all probability take a giant supply to get anybody who considerably strikes the needle this early within the season. Are the Flames prepared to surrender any of the prized picks they’ve acquired during the last year-and-a-half to make a transfer like that? It appears unlikely, however Conroy’s actually proven that he could be a shrewd wheeler and seller in the case of making trades, so I’m not prepared to rule it out that he’ll pull one thing off.

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Ought to the Flames be rewarding Rory Kerins, who leads the AHL with seven objectives in 5 video games with the Wranglers, with a big-league call-up?

GILBERTSON: Kerins have to be making them give it some thought, particularly when you think about the similarities to Connor Zary’s stat line final fall, when he piled up 10 factors in six AHL outings earlier than he was promoted. The factor about Kerins, 22, is he didn’t costume for a single pre-season sport and even practise with one of many top-heavy training-camp teams, sometimes an indication you’re manner down the organizational depth chart. He’s additionally getting his first prolonged run as a centre after beginning his professional profession on the wing. So whereas Zary’s scorching begin in 2023 turned out to be the final step to proving he was NHL-ready, Kerins continues to be ticking that subsequent field on his growth guidelines — to show he could be a constant difference-maker within the minors. If he retains this up, although …

AUSTIN: It’s superior to see Kerins stepping up his sport within the AHL, however there’s no rush to get him to the NHL. He was named the AHL’s Participant of the Week on Monday, which tells you simply how effectively he’s doing this season. If the time comes when the Flames may use a centre, he’s actually placing himself on the radar for a call-up. He’s actually not alone, both. In the event you haven’t been being attentive to the Wranglers, there are a pair guys who’ve began the season rather well. Kerins is tied for the league lead in factors, with eight, with teammates Walker Duehr and Jakob Pelletier. Each of these guys have performed NHL video games and have been pushing for a spot on the Flames’ roster throughout camp earlier than getting despatched down, so the way in which they’ve responded to the demotion and began the season within the AHL is price maintaining a tally of.

Is there a Scorching Subject that you simply’d like Danny Austin and Wes Gilbertson to debate subsequent week? Ship your thought to wgilbertson@postmedia.com or daustin@postmedia.com

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