• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Calgary Flames

Calgary Flames Q&A — Coming Down The Pike

By Chris Wassel October 9th, 2014

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

That’s right! It is the most wonderful time of the year as the NHL started last night. Ryan Pike of The Hockey Writers was kind enough to sit down and take his turn on the hot seat. We have a dozen questions and Mr. Pike answered them all. Let’s see what we got here!


1. What was the one thing that surprised you about Calgary last season?

Probably the level of buy-in across the entire season. They didn’t have many stretches of bad or lazy hockey, and they only lost one-sided laughers four times. That’s pretty good for a team that finished where they did.

Ah the memories for Calgary Flames fans. (Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports)

Ah the memories for Calgary Flames fans. (Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports)

2. Everyone talks about the brawl. Was it really a season changer or was it just a matter of players returning?

I think the brawl really galvanized the team, in the sense that it cemented their “us against the world” mentality. They went into a tough building for them to win in, lost four bodies off their line-up on the opening face-off, and still got a point.

3. Why is the rebuild seemingly ahead of schedule for the Flames?

The work ethic that’s been drilled into these guys by Bob Hartley. They aren’t allowed to take a shift off.

4. Will anyone fess up to the Boring Sean Monahan account on Twitter? Why is it so popular?

So far nobody has fessed up to it. My working theory is it’s Brian McGrattan.

(Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports)

Mr. Hiller signed with the Calgary Flames in the summer.(Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports)

5. What difference will Jonas Hiller make in net for the team?

Probably a big one. He’s a lot better than Reto Berra, Calgary’s previous Swiss netminder, and his skill level will really push Calgary’s other netminder, Karri Ramo, to continue to work hard and improve. Goaltending might be Calgary’s strength this season.

6. Who is the one player that has shown the most improvement from last year until this year?

I’ve really liked Kris Russell, and he really came into his own during this pre-season. He’s been named an alternate captain and he’ll be relied upon heavily to provide more offense from the back end of the line-up. He’s still not huge, but he’s very talented.

7. There are quite a few people who have picked the Calgary Flames to slide back a bit. Can you see why or are they a little off base?

Mike Cammalleri was huge for Calgary’s offense. With him and other players gone, there goes about 20% of their scoring. Unless Johnny Gaudreau is the real deal or Sean Monahan can improve on a strong 22-goal rookie campaign, the Flames will struggle to score and lose a lot of 2-1 and 3-2 games.

8. Which is the one team that concerns you most in the division?

There’s so many good teams in the Pacific. Let’s go with the reigning champs, the Los Angeles Kings.

Mark Giordano Flames

Mark Giordano could be a top five defenseman. (Dustin Bradford/Icon SMI)

9. How does the team shape up coming out of training camp? Will they get off to a good start?

It’s a veteran bunch. The only rookie on the team is Johnny Gaudreau, which should help with managing jitters and consistency. On the other hand, the club has just one great defensive pairing in T.J. Brodie and Mark Giordano and lacks any high-end offensive threats. And they start off the year with a six-game road trip that goes through cities like St. Louis, Chicago, Nashville and Columbus. It could be a long trip.

10. Who are some prospects we should be keeping an eye out for in 2014-15?

Markus Granlund was strong last season and played in every situation during his call-up. Tyler Wotherspoon was also quite effective last year, albeit playing with a pretty banged-up shoulder. I also wouldn’t be shocked if guys like Sven Baertschi, Max Reinhart or Josh Jooris got cups of coffee in the bigs this year.

11. What is the biggest change from last season to this season about the Calgary Flames?

Better goaltending, but a lot less scoring. And probably fewer wins as a result.

12. Where do you have Calgary finishing in the Pacific? Could they even make the playoffs?

They’ll be either sixth or seventh in the division. There’s a chance that either Edmonton or Arizona could fall underneath them. Chances for the playoffs are extremely low.


Up next will be the Edmonton Oilers. That one is guaranteed to be a lesson of lessons. 

  • Tags
  • Bob Hartley
  • Jonas Hiller
  • Mark Giordano
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 23rd 9:15 AM
Commentary

NHL Honors Willie O’Ree’s Legacy, But Struggles With Diversity Continue

Jan 23rd 9:05 AM
Colorado Avalanche

3 Takeaways From Avalanche’s OT Win Against Ducks

Jan 23rd 8:55 AM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs’ Adam Brooks Makes the Most of His Opportunity

Jan 23rd 8:45 AM
Advanced Stats

Devils Must Find Ways to Get Gusev & Johnsson Going

Jan 23rd 8:35 AM
Washington Capitals

Today in Hockey History: Jan. 23

Jan 22nd 6:25 PM
Column

Winnipeg Jets News & Rumors: Hellebuyck, Scheifele, Ehlers & Connor

Jan 22nd 5:35 PM
Advanced Stats

Kings’ Anze Kopitar Still Has Trade Value, But Big Cap Hit Hurts

Jan 22nd 5:25 PM
Columbus Blue Jackets

Blue Jackets Held Back By John Tortorella’s Stubbornness

Jan 22nd 5:15 PM
Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers Newcomers Finding Their Roles

Jan 22nd 5:05 PM
Nashville Predators

Predators’ New Third Pairing Paying Early Dividends

Editor’s Picks
2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini's Top 75 Rankings

2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini's Top 75 Rankings

NHL TV Blackouts & Why They Happen?

NHL TV Blackouts & Why They Happen?

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information