The Calgary Flames are in the thick of a playoff hunt despite being the league’s lowest-scoring team. Their offensive woes have been apparent all season long, and it’s not a new issue. In an effort to find some chemistry, Ryan Huska has been juggling the lineup consistently. The Flames’ top offensive players, Nazem Kadri and Jonathan Huberdeau, have, however, found some chemistry this season on the top line.
Despite playing together regularly with success, the duo has still struggled to find a winger that suits them. This week we wanted to know who fans think should get a shot at the top of the lineup with Kadri and Huberdeau. We asked, you answered.
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Who should join the top line?
We presented the below poll to our readers:
Who should play on the #Flames top line with Huberdeau and Kadri?
— The Win Column (@wincolumnCGY) March 15, 2025
Matt Coronato
Coronato was the favourite this week, taking home 42% of the vote. Coronato has been a big contributor this season as the sophomore has rounded out his game and become an integral part of the Flames’ limited offence.
Coronato has played with Huberdeau and Kadri this season with reasonable success. In 29 games, the trio has played 118 minutes with a 50.2 CF% while scoring three times. Most recently, they played together Friday night, leading the team in forward lines with 9:53 time on ice. The line produced two shots on goal off eleven attempts. Their eleven shot attempts followed only the Blake Coleman–Morgan Frost–Coronato line that accounted for nine shots on 16 attempts.
Coronato also had an impact in the Vancouver game with Kadri and Huberdeau. The trio led the team in shots on goal with nine, scoring a goal in the process. Coronato’s obvious impact as of late could be a good indication he should get a prolonged shot with Kadri and Huberdeau.
Connor Zary
Connor Zary finished second in this week’s poll, collecting 33% of the vote. Zary has also been an example of the Flames’ reliance on their young wingers. Zary has had limited TOI with Huberdeau and Kadri this season—playing in only four games and 18:20 with the two veterans—resulting in a single goal for the line.
As of late, Zary has started the game on the fourth line and then been shuffled around the lineup. Although it’s been somewhat effective, he’s obviously not a fourth-line player, and his skillset melds well with Kadri and Huberdeau.
No matter where you put him, Zary seemingly finds a way to succeed, and maybe Huska is just trying to stir up some momentum in the young player to just what we’re discussing, plop him into the top-six all wound up and ready to cement his spot.
That’s the hope, at least. If not, playoff hopes could begin to dwindle.
Martin Pospisil
Martin Pospisil didn’t convince that many fans this week, collecting only 15% of the vote. Despite finishing third in this week’s poll, Pospisil is sort of the front-runner in reality. The trio has played over 258 minutes together this season, the most of any Flames forward line behind only Coleman–Mikael Backlund–Coronato. In their 39 games together, they’ve scored 14 times, allowed only nine, and lead the team in Corsi For% with a 59.2.
Pospisil brings some size and grit to the Huberdeau–Kadri combination that really comes in handy. If Pospisil keeps his head in check, they’ve been one of the most reliable lines on the team this season.
The trio had played together in parts of the last few games, and it seems like Pospisil will continue to be Ryan Huska’s default choice.
Yegor Sharangovich
Okay, this one may have been a slightly sarcastic option on our part. It’s no question Sharangovich has been a hot topic this season for all the wrong reasons. His whole game has dropped off since last season, and his offensive woes have turned into sorrows.
At this point, the former 30-goal scorer could fare with a move to the wing alongside the team’s top offensive producers. It’s a long shot, and I really think everyone is just hopeful Sharangovich can find some way to turn his game around this offseason. Otherwise, the Flames are in a tough spot, as his five-year extension kicks in next season.
What’s a goal?
After watching Jonathan Huberdeau score by blocking his teammate’s shot with his head Friday against the Colorado Avalanche, I was reminded of how desperate this team is for offence. Although Huberdeau and Kadri are having good seasons, they still haven’t found a linemate able to unlock their full potential. Now it’s needed more than ever, as the Flames move into a tie on the outside looking in—with the St. Louis Blues—for the second wild card spot.
Will Ryan Huska continue to shuffle lines, or will Dustin Wolf have to start shooting from his own crease? Only time will tell in this tumultuous journey that is the 2024–25 Calgary Flames regular season.
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