Offseason Roundup: Calgary Flames

Over the next month, theScore's NHL editors will review all the offseason moves for each team around the league. 

Offseason Overview

For the first time in recent memory there is a pale shadow of optimism surrounding the Calgary Flames. 

Though the Flames are still very probably not a playoff team, not in the loaded Pacific Division at least, the club competed hard every night in 2013-14 and several young players emerged as key difference makers. 

Chief among those players was T.J. Brodie, who along with Flames captain Mark Giordano formed a bonafide top-pairing. Rookie Sean Monahan impressed enormously in third-line duty with the Flames last season, while Mikael Backlund emerged as a very capable two-way centerman. Throw in 2014 top-five pick Sam Bennett, and NCAA superstar Johnny Gaudreau, and you have a very promising young core. 

For long-suffering Flames fans, at least it's something to dream on.

This offseason the Flames hired long-time Phoenix Coyotes assistant general manager Jim Treliving to replace president Brian Burke - who was serving as interim general manager - as the head of hockey operations in Calgary. Treliving's moves in his first season as a general manager were interesting to say the least, and not necessarily in a good way.

After exercising a compliance buyout on the albatross contract of ineffective depth defender Shane O'Brien, the club snagged Bennett with their first-round draft pick. Calgary also added truculence on the trade market, sending a third-round pick to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for pugilist Brandon Bollig. 

In free agency they solidified their goaltending by signing Jonas Hiller, who has generally performed like an above average starter over the years, although he's struggled to regain his form since battling Vertigo several seasons ago. Still, he's an upgrade over what the Flames trotted out in 2013-14.

They also further bolstered their toughness quotient by signing swingman Deryk Engelland to one of the most baffling contracts of the offseason, and added Mason Raymond to help offset the departure of Mike Cammalleri - who signed with the New Jersey Devils in free agency.

Off of the ice, Burke bemoaned the dilapidated state of the Saddledome, the first public salvo in what would appear to a move towards procuring a new - publicly funded? - home arena for the Flames. 

Key Additions

GM Brad Treliving
Jonas Hiller
Mason Raymond
Brandon Bollig
Sam Bennett
Deryk Engelland

Key Departures

Mike Cammalleri
Kevin Westgarth
Shane O'Brien
Derek Smith

2014-15 Outlook

The Flames are beginning to show signs of life, but it would be a stretch worthy of a rodeo clown to suggest that they have the horses to hang with the three Californian clubs. They just don't. 

Though it's likely to be yet another Spring without playoff hockey in Calgary, adding another high pick in a loaded 2015 NHL Draft class doesn't seem like the worst consolation prize.