As the Calgary Flames head into the offseason, we always like to examine how substantial their depth is. After all, teams that have great pieces within their system give their fans more confidence about the future.
The Flames have a great prospect pool, but a dire need the team has always had is strong centre depth. The centre position is arguably one of the most important positions in hockey, as having a strong foundation down the middle strongly contributes to the success of a team’s forward core. In this article, let’s look at the Flames’ depth in the centre position, looking at players on the team and within their system.
Nazem Kadri
Nazem Kadri was one of the Flames’ biggest bright spots this season. He fully established himself as a leader and mentor while being the team’s first-line centre. The 35-year-old had a career high of 35 goals and recorded 67 points in all 82 games. The Flames had immense struggles in the scoring department this season, but Kadri would often be leaned on as a clutch player.
While Kadri continues to flourish, he’s getting up there in age and will eventually see his play decline. He’ll continue to contribute to a strong veteran presence, in hopes that he can pass on the torch to someone else.
Mikael Backlund
The career Flame and current captain of the team, Mikael Backlund definitely showed signs of regression this season. He scored 15 goals and 32 points in 76 games, and it’s fair to say he was a bit disappointing.
However, regression was expected, as Backlund is 36. As his career concludes, Backlund will continue to be a voice in the locker room and a mentor for young players. He’s still a capable third-line centre whose role consists of providing depth for the Flames’ bottom six. At this stage, making him play top-six minutes isn’t in the cards.
Morgan Frost
Acquired by the Flames as part of their deal with the Philadelphia Flyers, Morgan Frost is still getting settled in. He only had 12 points in 32 games, but the numbers don’t tell you everything.
Frost’s biggest asset is winning face-offs, which he’s done a ton of in Calgary. He’s also got sneaky good skill, as fans saw it firsthand. At the end of the day, the Flames brought in Frost for the future. He’s only 25 years old, and he’ll be an RFA this summer. He’ll hopefully be a part of the Flames’ next core for years to come, as the Flames do that trade again any day.
Yegor Sharangovich
While technically he’s more of a winger, Yegor Sharangovich has played centre many times throughout his tenure in Calgary so far. However, he shouldn’t be a long-term option down the middle, as it’s not his natural position.
Sharangovich had quite a disappointing season, only recording 32 points in 73 games, a far cry from his previous point total of 59 last season. Additionally, Sharangovich’s new five-year deal will kick in next season, which carries a cap hit of $5.75M.
You have to wonder what the Flames’ offence would’ve been like if Sharangovich played like he did last season. He had a breakout year, influenced by having a bigger role, which earned him the contract extension. There’s no simpler way to put it. He has to do better next season. When Sharangovich is on his game, he’s an effective offensive weapon that can pretty much score from anywhere on the ice.
Connor Zary
Connor Zary is still a question mark in my eyes. He undoubtedly has talent and a promising ceiling at the NHL level. The big question is whether the Flames truly see him as a full-time centre.
Zary battled through this season with injury, only playing 54 games and scoring 27 points. It certainly was disappointing, but there’s no reason to give up on him. Zary has played the majority of his time in the NHL on the wing, but has dabbled with being a centre a handful of times. He’s looked comfortable in that position, and Flames fans are eager to see if he can become a centre full-time.
If he does, it’ll be a huge help. Zary is expected to be part of the next generation of Flames players, and having a breakout performance next season would be exactly what the doctor ordered.
Martin Pospisil
Another player who’s been mostly a winger, Martin Pospisil has been given a strong look playing down the middle. Is he a true centre through? In my eyes, he isn’t
Pospisil is very toolsy and plays a unique style. He’s tough and gritty, but at the same time possesses some skill to complement it. Either way, Pospisil is another player who could be a short-term centre option, but not for the long run.
Kevin Rooney
A strict fourth liner, Kevin Rooney likely won’t be back with the Flames next season. His role is easily replaceable, playing down the middle. It’s possible we see his role be replaced by a player from the Wranglers.
Justin Kirkland
Justin Kirkland was a feel-good story for the Flames. During his time in Calgary, he solidified a proper role for himself, centring the fourth line, and was an NHL regular for the first time.
He played 21 games before experiencing a devastating season-ending injury to his ACL. Despite the short look, he became a fan favourite and a reliable asset in the shootout. He made a mark on the team and rejuvenated his NHL career.
The 28-year-old will be a UFA this summer. It’s a strong possibility that the Flames give him a contract to bring him back, as he genuinely did well in his role at the NHL level. I certainly would entertain Kirkland re-signing, as I think he’d be a great option to centre the fourth line next season.
Sam Morton
Another potential option for the Flames’ fourth line next season, Sam Morton did well in his NHL debut. He was among four rookies to suit up for the final game of the regular season against the Los Angeles Kings, where he would score his first career NHL goal.
Morton will be an RFA this summer and should be given another contract. The 25-year-old signed a deal with the Wranglers last season, coming from college, and hasn’t looked out of place since.
Rory Kerins
Rory Kerins is an interesting player who could be another fourth-line option next season. He had a career year in the AHL, scoring 33 goals and 61 points. His performance earned him a call-up to the NHL, where he scored an impressive four points in five games. However, that’s the only look the Flames gave him this season.
Kerins is still young and deserves a longer look next season. His game has reached a new level, and he didn’t look out of place in the NHL. Who knows? The Flames could have something with Kerins, but they won’t find out until he gets into more action.
Clark Bishop
Wranglers captain Clark Bishop is a career AHLer at this point. He got six games with the Flames this season on a call-up and did score a goal, but his services are more applicable in the minors. He’ll likely get action when there are a large number of injuries, and he’s a great candidate to call up to put into the lineup.
Carter King
Carter King was a late-season addition to the Wranglers’ squad. The 23-year-old played the majority of this season at the University of Denver, and he was highly sought by the Flames.
He’s only played two games of pro hockey since, scoring a goal and an assist. Carter is definitely an intriguing player who will likely get a contract from the Flames this summer. Nothing better than playing for your hometown out of college.
The unsigned bunch
The rest of the players in the system are all currently unsigned by the team. These players are Trevor Hoskin, Luke Misa, Hunter Laing, Jaden Lipinski, and Cade Littler. Out of all these players, Misa has the highest ceiling. He and Laing were part of a 2024 Flames draft class that was considered to be a massive success.
Misa was a fifth-round pick who scored 34 goals and 85 points for the Brampton Steelheads this season. He’s a player that many Flames fans are quite high on, and he very well could turn into a late-round steal for the team as he develops. The expectation is that the Flames sign him to an entry-level contract relatively soon.
Final thoughts
While there could be some diamonds in the rough here, the reality is that the Flames don’t have a player who’ll likely develop into the team’s future number-one centre.
This franchise needs a game-breaker down the middle. A number-one centre would change this team for the better, and it really feels like the final piece to complement their core. The only thing the team can do is to continue their strong drafting and making strategic moves that will hopefully lead to meaningful results.
