The Calgary Flames went from a surprise playoff team in 2014-15 to a lottery squad in 2015-16. Change was to be expected heading into the summer.
The Flames said goodbye to Jack Adams Award-winning coach Bob Hartley and welcomed Glen Gulutzan into the fold, overhauled their look in goal, and added several new players including Troy Brouwer.
Flames captain Mark Giordano was a guest on Boomer & Pinder on Sportsnet 960 The FAN Monday and he talked about the club’s off-season changes.
LISTEN: Mark Giordano on Flames’ off-season changes
Giordano was asked if he felt it was time for a change in reference to Hartley’s dismissal. Hartley was behind the bench in Calgary for four seasons as Giordano developed into one of the game’s top puck-moving blue liners.
“It’s always hard to say…I’ve been through a few of the coaching changes in my career being in Calgary,” Giordano said. “Sometimes a fresh start is needed. I think sometimes it’s good for guys.
“Personally, I had a good relationship with Bob. I know he had a lot to do with me being named captain here so I have a lot of respect for the man and I think he’s a great coach.
“Ultimately, when things don’t go the way as planned…not getting in playoffs for us was a big disappointment as an organization, there’s going to be changes.”
No team in the NHL allowed more goals (260) than the Flames in 2015-16. GM Brad Treliving made a move to solidify the club’s situation between the pipes at the NHL Draft by acquiring Brian Elliott from the St. Louis Blues. They also added Chad Johnson via free agency.
While the Flames’ 2015-16 cast of goaltenders that featured Karri Ramo, Jonas Hiller, Joni Ortio, and Niklas Backstrom left a lot to be desired, Giordano defended the group.
“The goalies took a lot of heat last year…obviously the numbers weren’t there but we were giving up some pretty high-end quality chances there,” he said. “At the start we were giving up some chances in the slot we just weren’t giving up the year before.
“It’s tough to pin it on the goaltending. You can’t pin it on the goaltending. As a group we just weren’t where we needed to be.”
Giordano set career highs in goals (21) and points (56) last season and appeared in all 82 games after his 2014-15 campaign was cut short due to a torn bicep.
Next on the agenda for Treliving and Co. will be re-signing young stars Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan to new deals. Both players are unrestricted free agents and in line for significant raises. Calgary currently has $14,969,601 in cap space according to generalfanager.com.
