The Flames have started to see some gains from their AHL affiliate.
Forward Mark Jankowski and goalie David Rittich are two Stockton graduates in Calgary, and defenseman Rasmus Anderson could stick there as well.
There should be more talent on the way.
Goalie Jon Gillies, 24, in his fourth pro season, has come back from hip surgery that limited him to seven games in 2015-16, his rookie season. Calgary selected Gillies (6-6, 223) in the third round (No. 75) of the 2012 NHL Draft.
Forward Spencer Foo (6-0, 190), a highly pursued free agent after leaving Union College in 2018, had 39 points (20 goals, 19 assists) as a 23-year-old rookie last season. Forward Andrew Mangiapane (5-10, 180) continues to look like a draft bargain. The Flames chose Mangiapane, 22, in the sixth round (No. 166) of the 2014 draft and he had 46 points (21 goals, 25 assists) in 39 AHL games last season. He has three assists in four games this season.
Defenseman Oliver Kylington (6-0, 183) brings three years of AHL experience. The Flames selected the 21-year-old in the second round (No. 60) of the 2015 NHL Draft.
Stockton is coached by Cail MacLean, who took over after the Flames hired Ryan Huska as an assistant.