1. Adjustments following big offseason
The Flames will look different this season, and how they adjust will determine how far they go.
Gone are forwards Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk, two-thirds of their formidable top line and two of the eight NHL players who had at least 100 points last season. Gaudreau, who signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets as an unrestricted free agent, was tied for second with 115 points (40 goals, 75 assists), and Tkachuk, who was traded to the Florida Panthers, finished eighth with 104 points (42 goals, 62 assists).
However, in the trade for Tkachuk, the Flames acquired forward Jonathan Huberdeau, who also had 115 points (30 goals, 85 assists) last season, and defenseman MacKenzie Weegar, who set NHL career highs in goals (eight), assists (36) and points (44). They also signed center Nazem Kadri, who had a career-high 87 points (28 goals, 59 assists) and won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche last season.
2. Kadri's impact
Kadri is a high-scoring No. 2 center, something the Flames did not have last season.
Mikael Backlund handled the role well, but his 39 points (12 goals, 27 assists) were fifth among Calgary's forwards. Kadri, meanwhile, was eighth in the NHL among centers with 87 points.
If you consider Huberdeau's addition and Gaudreau's subtraction a wash, which is reasonable since they each had 115 points last season, Kadri's production ideally will make up for a large percentage of what the Flames lost in Tkachuk. The key difference, though, is that as a center Kadri will be in position to drive Calgary's second line, which will help take some pressure off the top line. He could also help anchor Calgary's second power-play unit if he's not elevated to the top unit.