Yesterday, I looked at the Calgary Flames 22/23 season performance and roster profile. We saw a team that looks like a potential contender this season and left off with the question of how the Flames can maximize their roster for a playoff run this season. Today, we’ll dig into that question and look at team needs and possible targets to upgrade their roster.
Analysis
Team Synopsis: Calgary Flames – December 12, 2022
The Calgary Flames flew out of the gate this season, posting a 5-1-0 record in their first 6 contests. They quickly sputtered though, after a tumultuous offseason that saw two cornerstone players head for greener pastures. Flames fans have been strapped into a rollercoaster over the past 12 months and the new season has done nothing to suggest they can unbuckle their 5 point harnesses. Will the ride ever stop? Are the Flames legitimate contenders or not?
Pacific Division Snapshot: December 11, 2022
We’re now a third of the way through the regular season. The standings are beginning to stabilize as we get past the early season streaks. I last checked in on the Pacific Division in mid-November and the landscape looks much the same today as it did a month ago. Let’s take a closer look at the updated projections and how each team has performed over the past month.
Team Synopsis: Toronto Maple Leafs – December 5, 2022
My last check-in on the Maple Leafs was back in August. They were nearly finished their offseason business at the time, although Rasmus Sandin remained an unsigned RFA. Sandin signed a new deal during training camp and the Leafs also added Zach Aston-Reese after a PTO during camp. The Leafs looked like a contender back in August. Let’s take a look at how the first quarter season has unfolded since then.
Atlantic Division Snapshot: December 4, 2022
What a difference a month can make. I last checked in on the Atlantic Division in early November. The Sabres were rolling. The Maple Leafs were reeling. Early season trends that were unstainable have faded away and we’re getting a better picture of how the Atlantic is shaping up through a little more than a quarter season.
Team Synopsis: Arizona Coyotes – November 28, 2022
I last checked in on the Arizona Coyotes in mid August, with most of the 2022 offseason in the rear view mirror. It looked like another long season was ahead in the desert as the Coyotes appeared intent on snagging a high draft pick in the loaded 2023 draft to help their rebuild. The first quarter of the season has gone almost too well for the Coyotes if the main objective this season is landing as a high in the 2023 draft as possible. Let’s take a closer look at their season to date.
Central Division Snapshot: November 27, 2022
Today we’re checking in on the Central Division. In our last Central Division Snapshot in late October, there were still plenty of early season trends playing out. With a quarter of the season now in the books, we have a better idea of which of those early trends will fade away and which may stick through the season.
Team Synopsis: New Jersey Devils – November 21, 2022
The New Jersey Devils are rolling. They have grabbed control of the Metropolitan Division with an incredible start to the season, including a 12 game win streak that they’ll look to extend tonight. My last look at the Devils was on September 21, during the preseason, where we saw reason to proclaim the Devils as the best dark horse contender of the 22/23 season. Let’s take a closer look at how the Devils have taken the NHL by storm.
Metropolitan Division Snapshot: November 20, 2022
Today we’re checking in on the Metropolitan Division. Our last snapshot was in late October, just a couple of weeks into the season. Some teams have separated themselves from the pack since then and we have a more significant sample size of games played this season.
Team Synopsis: Los Angeles Kings – November 14, 2022
The Los Angeles Kings got off to a wild start to the season, participating in a number of high scoring affairs early on. They’ve settled into a groove more recently and head into Monday’s divisional matchup with the Calgary Flames on a four game win streak and have points in seven of their last eight games.