Flames' Conroy making good on goal to inject youth into lineup

CALGARY – The goal is to take stock, not chase history or headlines.

Craig Conroy has managed to do all three with a trio of call-ups that have Calgary Flames fans buzzing.

With his team’s nightmarish start pushing the club to a pivotal point in Calgary lore, the Flames GM has made good on his word to inject more youth into the lineup.

Thanks to injuries and suspensions, three of the Flames’ last four games have included a solo rookie lap, and each of the last two were highlighted by a newbie scoring in his NHL debut.

A goal in Connor Zary’s third shift on Wednesday, followed by Martin Pospisil’s snipe Saturday tied an NHL record for back-to-back games in which a team had a player score in his big league debut.

It’s only happened eight times, and not since 2000-2001 when the Devils did it.

The only previous time it happened in Flames history was 1986-87 when Gary Roberts had his first NHL goal followed two nights later by Brett Hull’s.

If only the Flames felt they were on a similar path to the one they were on when Robs and the Golden Brett were starting to find their way.

Well, with the Flames on the precipice of a major reboot, there’s only one way to find out.

“I said in my opening press conference, you're going to see these guys,” said Conroy.  

“We need to see where the organization is at.

“We have to see where guys are.”

A 3-7-1 start has management putting all contract talks on hold and taking a look at everyone in the system, as it spends the next few weeks seeing if the season is salvageable, or a bust that requires a significant fire sale.

Before doing that, it’s time to do what Conroy wishes the club did last year when it should have given Matthew Phillips and some other prospects more NHL time.

So far so good, as a solid NHL debut by defenceman Ilya Solovyov two weeks ago was followed by Zary and Pospisil’s emotional starts – the latter of which helped stop a six-game losing skid in Seattle Saturday.

Despite a one-game suspension to Andrew Mangiapane over the weekend, the Flames will not be summoning Adam Klapka for Tuesday’s tilt against Nashville with an eye on breaking the consecutive debut scoring record.

Adam Ruzicka returned to practice Monday after missing time with a shoulder injury, centering the fourth line.

Unlike past years when Darryl Sutter insisted aging veterans fill third and fourth-line roles, Conroy left spots open in camp for newbies, while resisting the urge to invite anyone to camp on a PTO.

On Monday Zary was a second-line winger with Nazem Kadri and Yegor Sharangovich, while Pospisil was on the left side with Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman.

Prime real estate for both.

“I'm trying to do what I have preached, to see these guys,” said Conroy.

“I don't have a lot of wiggle room with a cap, so that’s a factor.

“But to be able to start the season with Matt (Coronato) here, get Connor and Pospisil up, and you saw Solo (Ilya Solovyov) - that's all part of it. 

“I know there's certain players that people want to see, but everything takes time. It's not as easy as just doing it. 

“It's a good message, and hopefully the guys know, ‘Hey, when I'm down in the minors, if I play well, I'm gonna get an opportunity.’ 

“That's what I preached before to them, and I think they're starting to see it a little bit now.” 

As Conroy alluded to, many are still clamouring for hotshot netminder Dustin Wolf to get his first call-up of the season.

Befitting his title as two-time AHL netminder of the year and defending league MVP, his stellar 5-1 record, 2.34 GAA and .924 save percentage have Wolf primed to add to the one NHL start he got at the tail end of last season.

Unless Jacob Markstrom and Dan Vladar – both of whom have played well this season – are injured or traded, it will be hard to shoehorn the 22-year-old Californian into the lineup.

But it will happen, especially if things continue to go sideways for the parent club.

Everything is being re-examined at the Dome these days, as the GM contemplates asking prices for pending UFAs and discusses needs with his staff.

The next ten games are crucial for the team to show whether it’s capable of breathing life back into its season. 

If not, the dismantling will begin, safe in the knowledge there are a handful of capable youngsters showing NHL promise.

Either way, this is the perfect time for Conroy to be granting auditions 

“Yeah, for sure,” said Conroy. 

“We've had some injuries to Pelts (Jakob Pelletier), Rosie (Adam Ruzicka) and Roons (Kevin Rooney) so this is a perfect chance for us to get a look at all the guys.

“And they've deserved it. They've played well. I mean, you look at the Wranglers’ record (6-1-1), you look at what they've done. You talk to the coaches.

“We're not just giving it, they've earned it, and that's what I wanted. “That's all I've ever asked the guys. 

“None of them were happy when they got sent down after camp, but I said, ‘go down, play well, we'll get you back.’”

And ultimately, they’re some of the players who will factor heavily in the success of whatever type of rebuild is eventually taken on.