The Calgary Flames roster looks very different than it did a couple weeks ago. Key players are gone, and there are some new faces that fans may still be getting used to. We have seen some new lines and defense pairings, and as a result, some players have started to shine.
Though the Flames got off to a rough start after the deadline, they have now picked up two wins in a row and have put up four or more goals in those games. So, during this period after the trade deadline, which Flames player has been the most surprising/impressive? We asked, you answered.
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Responses from readers
We presented the below poll to our readers.
Daniil Miromanov
Being part of the return in the Noah Hanifin trade, many fans may not have known much about Daniil Miromanov. However, he has come in and shown that he can provide some good offence from the blue line.
He has put up two goals over the past three games and has showcased his wicked shot. Miromanov used to be a forward, and it makes sense as he is not shy about shooting the puck at all. Since the trade deadline, he has shot the puck 15 times in five games. Eight of those shots came against the Colorado Avalanche.
We are still not sure what Miromanov may end up being, but one certain thing is that he is not shy at all to play how he wants.
Dryden Hunt
Dryden Hunt was mostly an AHL player for the Flames. Now, he is practically a lock to be in the lineup, as he has been in every game since February 17. Additionally, he is chipping in and producing at a respectable rate. He has three points in the last five games and skated with Yegor Sharangovich and Andrei Kuzmenko in Saturday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens.
It’s clear that Ryan Huska likes Hunt and what he provides, and so far, it seems like it is working. I initially questioned why Hunt was getting so much opportunity in the lineup, but if he continues to provide some scoring and play the way he has, he’ll bring some good value to the team.
Yegor Sharangovich
Sharangovich has been impressive all season long, but it felt wrong not to include him in this poll. He has just been that good. With five points over the last five games and three of those being goals, Sharangovich has continued to prove that he might just be the Flames’ best player on the ice.
He has to be given credit as he has shifted from the wing to a first-line centre role now with Elias Lindholm gone. Some players may struggle with that change, but Sharangovich has not let it affect his game at all. The Flames may have struck gold with Sharangovich, and hopefully, he continues to produce goals at this rate for a long time in this uniform.
Others
Other responses to the tweet included Matt Coronato as a player who has impressed. Coronato looked fantastic in the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, and he scored a great goal against the Vegas Golden Knights, using his patented shot to rip it past Adin Hill.
Coronato is starting to show progress and is slowly looking like he belongs in the NHL after dominating the AHL. Matt Coronato is a big part of the future of the Flames, and you can bet that fans are happy that he is starting to find his footing.
Player development is key
Now that the Flames have decided to rebuild, the main mission for the team should be developing their players and seeing what they have in their new acquisitions. I think Miromanov can provide some great value for the Flames in the future. For players like Coronato, the team may start to prioritize getting him more comfortable with the NHL. The rebuilding stage is a long project, and player development is one of, if not the most, important aspects.
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