Flames season preview: Huberdeau, Kadri production key

The 2022-23 NHL season starts Oct. 7. With training camps opening soon, NHL.com is taking a look at the three keys, inside scoop on roster questions, and projected lineup for each of the 32 teams. Today, the Calgary Flames.

Coach:Darryl Sutter (third season)
Last season: 50-21-11, first place in Pacific Division; lost to Edmonton Oilers in Western Conference Second Round

3 KEYS

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.

3. Markstrom's encore
Jacob Markstrom was the runner-up for the Vezina Trophy as the best goalie in the NHL last season after setting career highs in starts (63), wins (37), save percentage (.922) and shutouts (nine), and a career-best 2.22 goals-against average.
But the season ended bitterly for Markstrom, who struggled against the Oilers in the Western Conference Second Round, when he went 1-4 with a 5.12 GAA and .852 save percentage (24 goals on 162 shots).
Markstrom said he's gotten past the disappointment of how the season ended, but he's inspired by it too. He plans to use what happened against the Oilers as fuel for another attempt at going deep in the playoffs.

ROSTER RUNDOWN

Making the cut
The Flames have an opening in their top-nine forward group that could be filled by
Jakob Pelletier
. The 21-year-old, who was Calgary's first-round pick (No. 26) in the 2019 NHL Draft, had 62 points (27 goals, 35 assists) in 66 games with Stockton of the American Hockey League last season. The bigger question, though, could be where they slot the wings in the top-nine forward group. It's possible that Dillon Dube could play in the top-six and that Andrew Mangiapane could move from left wing to right wing to fill Tkachuk's spot on the top line.
At defensemen, the Flames appear set in their top-six with Noah Hanifin, Rasmus Andersson, Weegar, Nikita Zadorov, Oliver Kylington and Chris Tanev. Juuso Valimaki could push for playing time, but also could be ticketed for the AHL.
Most intriguing addition
This has to be Huberdeau. The Flames acquired the 29-year-old left wing July 22 and signed him to an eight-year, $84 million contract extension ($10.5 million average annual value) on Aug. 4. That contract will start in the 2023-24 season with Huberdeau entering the final season of a six-year, $35.4 million contract ($5.9 million AAV) he signed with the Panthers on Sept. 7, 2016. Huberdeau quickly went from being traded by Florida to arguably the most important skater in Calgary.
Biggest potential surprise
The Flames like Pelletier, and there is a job for him to win in training camp. He could start the season on the third line and potentially move up if he produces to his potential. He never has played an NHL game, but Pelletier was a top scorer for Moncton and Val-d'Or in the QMJHL before finishing second in scoring with Stockton last season.
Ready to break through
Dube had 32 points (18 goals, 14 assists) last season, and the 24-year-old could get an opportunity for an increased role this season, which could help push his production closer to 30 goals. Dube is one of Calgary's most versatile players with the ability to play all three forward positions, and he could be ready to cement his spot in Calgary's top-six forward group.
Fantasy sleeper
Blake Coleman, LW/RW (fantasy average draft position: 174.2) --He's likely to benefit from the signing of Kadri, who is expected to center the second line, making him a deep sleeper after providing strong coverage in goals (16), shots on goal (212), plus/minus (plus-16) and hits (163 in 81 games) last season.-- Pete Jensen

PROJECTED LINEUP

Jonathan Huberdeau -- Elias Lindholm -- Tyler Toffoli
Andrew Mangiapane -- Nazem Kadri -- Blake Coleman
Jakob Pelletier -- Mikael Backlund -- Dillon Dube
Milan Lucic -- Kevin Rooney -- Trevor Lewis
Noah Hanifin -- Rasmus Andersson
Nikita Zadorov -- MacKenzie Weegar
Oliver Kylington -- Christopher Tanev
Jacob Markstrom
Dan Vladar