Examining the three Calgary Flames training camp groups and what it means for their lineup

The Calgary Flames open training camp this morning, with on-ice and off-ice sessions scheduled all week in anticipation of their first preseason game on Sunday. With 58 participants at camp, the group is split into three groups: Team Red, Team Yellow, and Team Black. As has become tradition, the team has split their main team into two groups, filtered their bubble players into the open spots on those two, then added the balance of the players destined for either junior hockey or the AHL definitively to group three.

In this case, Team Red and Team Yellow are the two main groups, with Team Black taking up the balance of the players. Here is what to note from each group:

Calgary Flames Training Camp Group: Team Red

Forwards

At forward, the Flames have placed their top two lines from last year on this team. Jonathan Huberdeau and Nazem Kadri join newly re-signed Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman on team red. Complementing them are newly extended Connor Zary and Matt Coronato, who should make up the team’s top-six. These players are virtually guaranteed to be NHLers this year- no surprise there. Then there is Justin Kirkland, who has a very strong case to be on this team on opening night.

Four additional forwards join this group on the bubble: Sam Honzek, Sam Morton, William Stromgren, and Aydar Suniev. With a strong camp, any one of them could find themselves on the Flames come opening night.

Suniev looked quite good in his NHL audition at the end of last season and was very impressive in the Next Gen Showcase against the Oilers. Honzek has bulked up substantially this summer and could make a name for himself. Morton, the oldest, has a shot given his age and that he’s a centre. Stromgren is the dark horse who could make the jump, although he’s likely a call-up later in the year.

This foursome is where your eyes should be, with one of them likely playing NHL minutes on opening night.

Lucas Ciona joins this group as the 12th forward, likely to make the numbers work.

Defencemen

On the blueline, the only lock is Mackenzie Weegar, with Joel Hanley almost certainly in the NHL, but could be the seventh defenceman this season. The question mark is whether Zayne Parekh makes the jump to the NHL this season, and if so, who he is paired with. Given the groupings, there is a very real chance that he ends up with Weegar to start. This would be massive for his development and to learn from a veteran like him.

On the bubble are Jake Bean and Hunter Brzustewicz. Both are fighting for an NHL job this year, with Bean likely staying with the big club and Brzustewicz likely finding his way up midseason.

Nick Cicek is the extra blueliner with this group.

Goalies

In net, you have Dustin Wolf and Devin Cooley. Given they have Cooley here and not Ivan Prosvetov, odds are the latter is pencilled into the backup spot, but a strong camp could see Cooley earning the job.

Calgary Flames Training Camp Group: Team Yellow

Forwards

Where Team White is pretty cut and dry, Team Yellow is much more murky. Your locks in this group are Joel Farabee, Morgan Frost, Yegor Sharangovich, and Ryan Lomberg. The first three likely lineup on the third line together, with Lomberg joining the two others on the bottom line. Martin Pospisil is almost certainly going to gets one of those two spots. However, given his production last season, it is not impossible to see him get outplayed by someone hungrier than him.

The other spot and the 13th forward role likely go to some combination of the aforementioned four players on Team White, Dryden Hunt, Clark Bishop, Adam Klapka, or Rory Kerins. While the team does need to worry about waivers with a few guys, realistically, it is going to come down to who performs best at camp.

Then there are Martin Frk and Matvei Gridin, who are dark horses to make the team. Gridin was outstanding in the Next Gen Showcase and is a player to watch as camp opens. He could sneak his way into the conversation this year.

Defencemen

On the blueline, the Flames likely start with Kevin Bahl and Rasmus Andersson as one pairing. This leaves Brayden Pachal and Daniil Miromanov fighting with the aforementioned Hanley, Parekh, Bean, and Brzustewicz for the final four spots. Don’t count out Ilya Solovyov and Yan Kuznetsov, who could also sneak into that conversation.

Prosvetov headlines this group with newly signed Owen Say joining him. Interesting to note that it’s Say and not Arsenii Sergeev taking the spot with Team Yellow.

Calgary Flames Training Camp Group: Team Black

Forwards

Team Black is the players who are likely heading to the AHL or to junior. Up front, this group includes Jacob Battaglia and Hunter Laing, who are both expected back with their respective CHL clubs this season. Parker Bell, Alex Gallant, and newly signed Carter King are all expected to be AHLers, with none moving the needle enough yet to justify inclusion in the NHL groups.

They are joined by additional bodies, who make up the balance of the forward group.

Defencemen

On the blueline, the Flames opted to place Jeremie Poirier and Etienne Morin in this group, which is likely a combination of numbers and performance. Morin likely starts in the AHL after graduating from the QMJHL at the end of last season. Poirier was once a highly touted prospect, but suffered a horrific accident a couple seasons back. He is still finding his game and will likely start the season in the AHL.

Artom Grushnikov, Axel Hurtig, and big body Mace-o Phillips also join this group on the blueline.

Goalies

Then in net are Connor Murphy and Arsenii Sergeev. This will be an interesting battle, as the Flames have four goalies fighting for two AHL spots. Murphy is likely one of the ECHL netminders, with Sergeev and Say fighting for the other spot.

What to expect as the Flames open training camp?

There are a lot of battles to watch for this year, and with at least two open forward spots, there are going to be a lot of hungry players with eyes on the prize. On the blueline, there are far more NHL bodies than spots, and someone is going to get squeezed down to the AHL before puck drops on opening night. Who that will be is anyone’s guess. We’ll have all the coverage of training camp here.