NHL Training Camp Preview: Flames, Hurricanes Fueled By Early Exit

The National Hockey League will begin its 106^th season in early October, with a number of clubs looking to unseat the Colorado Avalanche after their Stanley Cup victory earlier this summer, while others are preparing to make a run at getting the best odds to select presumptive first overall pick, Connor Bedard.

With the NHL salary cap going up only $1 million, many clubs had to make difficult roster decisions. Nearly half the league is currently over the $82.5 million limit and will be using long-term injured reserve to get under the cap ceiling, while budget clubs used their cap space to add draft capital.

Here is a preview of two playoff clubs that made earlier than expected exits and have made significant changes over the summer.

Calgary Flames (50-21-11 – 1st place in the Pacific Division – lost to Edmonton in the second round)

Who’s Out – Johnny Gaudreau, Matthew Tkachuk, Sean Monahan, Erik Gudbranson, Calle Jarnkrok

Who’s In – Nazem Kadri, Jonathan Huberdeau, Mackenzie Weegar

The Flames had a resurgent season under Darryl Sutter and finished atop the Pacific Division, but barely squeaked by Dallas in the first round and lost in five games to Edmonton in an emotional Battle of Alberta.  Calgary’s offseason was tumultuous to say the least, as leading scorer Gaudreau coming off a 115-point season departed via free agency to Columbus, and Tkachuk was dealt to Florida after informing the Flames that he would not sign a contract extension.

GM Brad Treliving adroitly recovered from a potentially disastrous situation by getting Huberdeau (who was signed to an eight-year extension) and Weegar from the Panthers for Tkachuk and signing free agent Cup-winner Kadri to a seven-year, $49 million deal, but it is debatable whether Calgary will be as good as they were last season.

2022-23 Potential impact prospects

W – Connor Zary

W – Matt Coronato

C – Cole Schwindt

Zary struggled at times in his first pro season with AHL Stockton but could get a long look at training camp with Calgary needing scoring help on the wing. Coronato played on the top line for Team USA at the 2022 World Juniors and led Harvard with 36 points, and might become available after his sophomore NCAA season. Schwindt was part of the Tkachuk deal and could challenge for a bottom-six role after scoring 40 points in the AHL last season.

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Carolina Hurricanes (54-20-8 – 1st place in the Metropolitan Division – – lost to New York in the second round)

Who’s Out – Vincent Trocheck, Tony DeAngelo, Nino Niederreiter, Stephen Lorentz

Who’s In – Ondrej Kase, Paul Stastny, Brent Burns, Max Pacioretty, Dylan Coghlan

The Canes successful season was derailed by injury problems between the pipes, as they lost goalie Frederik Andersen just before the playoffs and after beating Boston, they fell to the Rangers in seven games. GM Don Waddell filled the hole on defense left by DeAngelo by trading with San Jose for Burns and added Kase and Stastny on value contracts. Carolina took advantage of the Golden Knights cap issues by acquiring Pacioretty for future considerations, but he suffered a torn Achilles tendon during off-season training.

2022-23 Potential impact prospects

C – Jack Drury

G – Pyotr Kochetkov

W – Noel Gunler

Drury followed up productive years at Harvard and Vaxjo (SHL) with a 52-point campaign in the AHL and could be in the mix for a bottom-six NHL role. Kochetkov subbed in for Andersen late in the regular season and played four playoff games, and could be the Canes starter as soon as 2023. Gunler scored 23 points with Brynas (SHL) before coming over to North America to play in the Calder Cup Playoffs.