The Calgary Flames have undergone massive changes to their defence over the course of the past year. Last season, the Flames traded away top-four defencemen Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev, along with solid defender Nikita Zadorov. This allowed young players an opportunity to prove themselves. During this offseason, the Flames have added four new faces to their defence which will drastically change the way this group looks. Let’s take a look at all the defencemen fighting for a spot on the Flames backend heading into training camp.
Taking A Chance on Youth
During the 2023-2024 season, the Flames added two young defencemen from Las Vegas. They picked up Brayden Pachal on waivers and Daniil Miromanov in a trade for Hanifin.
Pachal played 33 games for the Flames last season. He was used as a bottom-pairing defenceman but proved reliable in his limited role and earned the right to fight for his spot this season.
Miromanov played 20 games for the Flames and was given oppourtunities on the powerplay and second pairing. He played admirably, and the Flames are high on his potential. This landed him a two-year contract extension, and all signs pointed toward Miromanov being given plenty of opportunity to prove he could be a difference-maker in the NHL.
During this past offseason, Calgary also added two more young defencemen to their backend. Kevin Bahl was acquired in a trade for Jacob Markstrom and Jake Bean was signed to a two-year contract during free agency.
Bahl is coming off a season where he played all 82 games for New Jersey. The 23-year-old proved he belongs in the NHL and his size and skating has all the makings of a solid shut-down defenceman. At the time of the trade, it seemed clear Bahl would slot into Calgary’s top four and get every chance to prove himself.
Jake Bean is a former first-round draft pick who has struggled to find his role in the NHL. Bean could slot into a bottom pairing role easily, or move up the lineup if needed with his smooth skating. After the signing, it looked like Bean was the last piece to the Flames’ backend. However, in the final weeks before training camp the Flames decided to bring in some veterans.
Adding Veteran Depth
On September 10th, the Flames signed veteran defenceman Tyson Barrie to a professional tryout. On the same day, the Flames signed 31-year-old Jarred Tinordi to a one-year contract.
Barrie is coming off a rough season in Nashville where he managed just 15 points in 41 games. The offensive defenceman didn’t receive much interest during free agency which eventually led to the PTO with Calgary. If Barrie can make the team, he could provide much-needed leadership for the Flames young defencemen. He is known for being well-liked by his teammates and a positive addition to any locker room. Barrie is just one season removed from a very productive 55-point campaign in 2022-2023. He will, however, need to prove the game hasn’t passed him by. Barrie will be reuniting with his junior hockey coach Ryan Huska which could help him find his stride and secure a contract with Calgary.
Tinordi is a 9-year NHL veteran who has spent most of his time split between the AHL and NHL. He brings a physical presence to the Flames organization. At 6 foot 6 inches tall, Tinordi plays a physical style and isn’t afraid to drop the mitts when needed. Tinordi profiles as the perfect seventh defenceman, he will be able to step in when younger players are struggling or injuries pile up.
Heading into training camp the Flames have a lot of question marks. They’ve brought in plenty of new faces, but few proven NHLers. This should make for a very competitive and intriguing training camp.
Flames Defence Tiers
The Flames’ defence is heading into training camp with 11 players that have a legitimate case to be one of the seven that start in the NHL. We’ll categorize the defenders based on their position on the depth chart and who they’re battling against for a roster spot.
Locks
Rasmus Andersson and MacKenzie Weegar are the only true locks on the Flames’ defence. Weegar is coming off an impressive 20-goal, 52-point season. He will likely lead the powerplay for the Flames and log a ton of ice this season. Andersson is a no-doubt top-four defenceman in the NHL. With the lack of depth, he will be given a ton of ice time and responsibility every night. The only way either of these two aren’t in the Flames top-four is if they are injured or traded.
Nearly Guaranteed
The next tier of Flames defenders is a group that should be locked into the opening-day lineup. However, this group is still unproven and their contracts mean anything is possible.
The closest defender to a lock is newly acquired Kevin Bahl. The young defenceman was a key part of the massive trade that sent Markstrom to New Jersey. The Flames organization didn’t key in on Bahl to have him sitting in the AHL. He should be given every opporunity to grow into a role as a key player.
The next nearly guaranteed defender is Daniil Miromanov. Flames general manager Craig Conroy told fans that the Flames were high on Miromanov’s potential when he was acquired last March. He was given every oppourtunity to succeed and grow at the end of last season, and it would be shocking to see him not given a chance to play.
The last in this category is free agent addition Jake Bean. Bean was given a two-year prove-me contract. His age aligns with the Flames rebuild and they most certainly did not go out and sign Bean with the plan to have him not on the ice. He has unlocked potential and the Flames are hoping he unlocks it with this group, so he should be given plenty of chances to prove himself.
Fighting For The Bottom Pair
Recent veteran additions in Barrie and Tinordi, along with Pachal and Joel Hanley are all fighting for a spot on the bottom pair or seventh defenceman role. Pachal played well for the Flames down the stretch and deserves every oppourtunity to earn this spot, but being a waiver pickup on an expiring contract means nothing is given. Tinordi and Hanley both slot well as seventh defenceman options. Neither one is a player you would mind sitting most nights, and both have enough professional experience to step in when needed. Barrie is the wild card of this group. He brings the most upside to the Flames both from his abilities and leadership but has the most to prove with no contract as of yet.
The Longshots
The Flames recently signed Ilya Solovyov to a two-year contract extension. He has just 10 games of NHL experience but has been one of the best defenceman for the Flames AHL affiliate. With a good camp, and maybe some luck, he could surprise and earn an NHL roster spot. Don’t forget about Jeremie Poirier. Poirier was off to an explosive start to his second AHL season last year before a skate laceration cost him most of the year. He has plenty of upside and remains a solid prospect for the Flames. With a great training camp, he could leap up the Flames chart.
Plenty To Like Heading Into Camp
While it may appear like the Flames have too many bodies on the backend, they are in a good spot. Outside of Mackenzie Weegar, no Flames defenceman is signed for more than two years. That means the Flames have the flexibility to move off of anyone who falls down the depth chart. This is a great situation for coach Ryan Huska. He should be able to keep players motivated through training camp and all season long by having plenty of competition. This flexibility also means if a young player proves they deserve time in the NHL there is little blocking them.
Despite the lack of depth and proven talent on the backend, there will be plenty to watch on the Flames defence. This group has the potential to be better than expected.
Main Photo: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
