It\u2019s been a strange week for the Calgary Flames.<\/p>\n
Two games into their final extended home stand of the season, a five-game stretch between November 29 to December 7, the organization is receiving visits from some familiar faces.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, we saw Matthew Tkachuk<\/a> return to the Saddledome for the first time since being traded to Florida. Lost among the controversy of Tkachuk\u2019s return was also the presence of Sam Bennett<\/a>, a player tied for the highest draft selection the Flames have made in their 42 years of being in Calgary. While Bennett struggled to find consistency on the scoresheet, he was never shy in the physicality department. On top of those two visiting their former home arena, another player took a different path to the NHL.<\/p>\n Ryan Lomberg<\/a> had to grind his way from the University of Maine of the NCAA to the USHL, then to the ECHL, the AHL and the odd cup of coffee with the Flames over eight years before finally earning a more permanent role with the Florida Panthers. The 5\u20199\u201d spark plug has 52 fights to his credit across his professional career, and it\u2019s probably fair to say that most of his opponents had the advantage of size.<\/p>\n Each forward had their reason for leaving. Tkachuk told the team he wouldn\u2019t sign a contract extension and was promptly traded. Bennett asked for a trade and eventually was granted that request. Lomberg left in unrestricted free agency after never really getting a fair shake.<\/p>\n All three players were undeniably personnel that Flames head coach Darryl Sutter<\/a> could use to affect, given their heavy style of play.<\/p>\n On Thursday night, Sean Monahan<\/a> returned to Calgary as a member of the Montreal Canadiens.<\/a> In his typical style, he showed up nursing an injury \u2014 or at least sporting a walking boot. Sean assisted both Montreal goals in a 2-1 win over Calgary.<\/p>\n Monahan ranks third in Flames franchise history for game-winning goals at 47.<\/p>\n Saturday will feature Garnett Hathaway, whose four-year, $6 million contract with the Washington Capitals<\/a> priced him out of Calgary. The 6\u20193\u201d, 210lb right winger does most of the dirty work for his team.<\/p>\n Monday has the former 16th<\/sup> overall pick Juuso V\u00e4lim\u00e4ki<\/a> and the Arizona Coyotes<\/a> visiting. The 24-year-old Finn has found a comfortable spot on Arizona\u2019s second pairing. He and JJ Moser rank 48th<\/sup> in the NHL in expected goals share at 52.8% among pairings with at least 75 minutes together, according to MoneyPuck\u2019s model. V\u00e4lim\u00e4ki was claimed off waivers on October 9, 2022 \u2014 four days before the beginning of the season.<\/p>\n Capping off the Flames\u2019 memory tour is a game next Friday in Columbus, Ohio, where Johnny Gaudreau<\/a> and Erik Gudbranson<\/a> left for during the offseason. Seeing the franchise\u2019s fifth\u00a0all-time points leader in a Blue Jackets<\/a> jersey will underline the nature of the following point.<\/p>\n