Rebuilding Flames nonetheless to function loads of feel-good tales

CALGARY — Zayne Parekh shall be within the lineup when the Calgary Flames’ season opens Thursday, marking a vastly totally different situation than the one a 12 months earlier when he was a wholesome scratch.

Unlike final season, when the extremely touted first-rounder was sheltered following a poor pre-season, Parekh enters this season because the participant followers and administration are most excited to see.

A rigorous low season with exercise guru Gary Roberts, adopted by a dynamic pre-season, seems to have the bulked-up defenceman again on observe, and positioned to be one of many greatest feel-good tales of the upcoming season.

“It’s been night and day from last year to now,” admitted the 20-year-old freewheeler, who has regained the arrogance he misplaced by way of a nightmarish rookie season that included damage and loads of press-box popcorn.

“I feel like a completely different player. Just the strength and the work I put in this summer has really helped me.”

When he’s at his finest, like he was on the world juniors final Christmas, he’s a whirling dervish, who circles across the offensive zone making performs like he owns the place.

Heading right into a rebuilding season during which there guarantees to be in depth short-term ache for long-term achieve, Parekh headlines the listing of fine tales Flames followers can concentrate on.

Here are a handful of others:

The Saddledome will play host to its forty fourth and ultimate season as residence of the Flames, prompting a season-long celebration positive to fire up all kinds of recollections followers have of the long-lasting constructing.

The group guarantees to take followers by way of an in depth journey down reminiscence lane, saluting the good moments and gamers who helped form the large historical past of the saddle-shaped barn.

“I think our players are very fortunate to be part of this year,” added coach Ryan Huska, who remembers the seats he sat in when his uncle introduced him to a sport as a child.

“This building has seen so many great moments. I think it’s going to be a step up this year with the energy and atmosphere in the building. And I think the players are going to feed off what the crowd is going to bring.”

Tickets for the ultimate sport in opposition to Vancouver on April 10 are already going for a king’s ransom, as sentimental followers look to say goodbye to a constructing that has seen a little bit of all the pieces through the years.  

The Flames gave up a boatload to land the 22-year-old defenceman who was picked second general by the New Jersey Devils in 2022, so there shall be loads of eyes on him as he showcases the skillset that may have him on the highest pairing on opening evening.

“He’s gonna play a ton, and in every scenario, so we are looking forward to seeing what we have in him this year and for many years to come,” stated Conroy of the cornerstone acquisition. Conroy signed Nemec to a five-year, $36-million contract proper after giving up two first-rounders and a second for the Slovak. 

“I feel really comfortable — the guys and coaches and everyone in the organization is great, so I feel good and want to play my best hockey,” added Nemec, who feels having fellow countrymen Martin Pospisil and Sam Honzek on the crew has made the transition simpler.

“I want to play in every situation, and I feel I can do that here.”

Collegians on the horizon

Four of essentially the most thrilling prospects within the group — Carson Carels (sixth general in 2026), Cole Reschny (18th in 2025), Ethan Wyttenbach (final 12 months’s main collegiate scorer) and Cullen Potter (thirty second in 2025) — have all pledged to show professional and be part of the Flames on the conclusion of their season at their respective U.S. schools.

“When I talk to them, that’s the goal for each guy, to have a great year, win a national championship, and then turn pro,” stated Conroy.

“The problem is they are on good teams, so they could go right until the end of our year, which would make it a little trickier.”

Their progress shall be monitored by Flames followers all year long, resulting in season-ending sit-downs with Flames administration to determine what’s finest for every of the lads long-term.

“I always bring it back to Johnny (Gaudreau),” stated Conroy.

“He stated, ‘Hey I’m going to return for my third 12 months and be the very best participant in faculty hockey, after which I’m popping out — and I don’t need to go to the minors.’ He felt that gave him the very best likelihood. And I give him credit score — he did it.

“So I think where these guys could overcook a little bit and be completely ready to come that much stronger, faster and it’s still going to be a huge step. Are they all going to be able to do it? I don’t know. But you know what — I didn’t know Johnny was going to be able to do it.”

Captain Mikael Backlund is simply 72 video games away from breaking Jarome Iginla’s franchise document of 1,219 regular-season video games as a Flame. 

If he stays wholesome all season, the 37-year-old will set up the brand new mark for longevity on March 17 at residence in opposition to Dallas — giving followers one of many final nice moments in Dome lore.

“Well, Jarome will want me to sit Backs a few times or trade him,” joked Conroy.

Assistant coach Dave Lowry takes over a unit that has been close to the underside of the league the previous couple of seasons, and guarantees so as to add just a few new wrinkles.

The large distinction would be the two lads heading it up — Parekh and Nemec.

“No disrespect to the guys that were here before, because they were all great players out there, but these are two power-play defencemen — they really are,” stated Huska of the 2 kids who provide up a way more dynamic strategy to the purpose place with the person benefit.  

“When you look at the way they walk the blue line, and when you look at the way they see where the open man is. … You’re a special breed to be a power-play quarterback and I feel like these two guys are that. That’s one of the big reasons why I feel like our PP is going to be better this year, because both units have someone who can take charge from the top, and it makes everybody’s job easier.”

Internal competitors between the 2 will dictate which participant runs the highest unit, with the chance that, at instances, they could each play collectively on it. 

Gridin guarantees productiveness 

Matvei Gridin, a Flames first-rounder in 2024, completed with a flurry final season when he was given a distinguished scoring position. He delivered, main the uber-confident younger Russian to declare at exit conferences he would lead the crew in scoring this 12 months.

He’ll get each alternative to do exactly that, as he’ll begin on the highest power-play unit and prime line with Morgan Frost and Matt Coronato. 

The teen, who scored 36 targets in 56 video games as a QMJHL rookie, is an thrilling prospect for a crew that has had hassle scoring the previous couple of years.  

Unlike Conroy’s earlier three seasons, there isn’t any important drama surrounding pending free brokers with their eyes set on bolting elsewhere.

Conroy finds that refreshing, as he continues attempting to construct a crew of gamers who need to be right here.

Frost is the one important pending UFA on the roster, which ought to make for an attention-grabbing choice on his future earlier than the commerce deadline.

Either end result appears beneficial for Flames followers, as he both excels because the crew’s first-line centre and is signed to an extension as a constructing block, or he’s traded on an open market that at all times pays important sums for expert middlemen.