[rhaums]

Transaction
Calgary announces a number of extensions to expiring contracts:

Jeremie Poirier - 1,060,000 AAV, 3 years
Noah Hanifin - 6,400,000 AAV, 4 years
Ben Jones - 1,470,000 AAV, 2 years
Adam Ruzicka - 1,088,750 AAV, 3 years


W 2-2 @ BOS (Feb 6)
Calgary come back from the All-Star break to head east to Boston. Markstrom making 39 saves, and Fix-Wolansky and Huberdeau having multi-point games, the Flames continued the misery for struggling Boston.

L 8-1 @ NJD (Feb 8)
Calgary proved no match for dominant New Jersey shooting. Markstrom conceeded 5 goals off 27 shots, and halfway through the second period was lifted for Vladar, who only fared a little better. The blue line struggled to make hits, and were quickly overrun by New Jersey.

L 4-2 @ NYI (Feb 10)
Ilya Sorokin wins the goalie duel with Markstrom, as both sides make 30+ saves. Weegar struggles again defensively, but Huberdeau's 2 goals keep the Flames in the game.
Kadri also looked lost at times, as puckhandlers found no trouble getting past him.


Breaking News
Despite hanging with the playoff places, the Tampa Bay Lightning have decided to bring an end to coach Jon Cooper's time in charge. After leading the team to a 26-22-4 record, the 2 time Stanley Cup winning coach will be replaced by Grand Rapids Griffins general manager Shawn Horcoff.

L 5-0 @ NYR (Feb 12)
Another tough loss to a New York team. Markstrom looks almost lost at the crease, despite only having to face 33 shots tonight. Adam Ruzicka was the only player of positive note, with 4 takeaways.

Transaction
With the trade deadline nearing, Castonguay makes her first major move as Flames GM:

TRADE:
Flames get:
RD Marco Scandella
2024 1st Round Pick (St. Louis)

Blues get:
C Elias Lindholm (Calgary retains 10% salary)
2024 6th Round Pick (Tampa Bay)
2024 5th Round Pick (Montreal)

Analysis:
Blues get a versatile power forward to add into their lineup for the playoffs. Calgary take on a 3 mil 1 year cap hit for Scandella, in exchange for a late 1st round pick in 2024.


OTL vs SJS (Feb 15)
A game where the blue line got quickly overrun by San Jose, Markstrom kept the Flames in the game for a long period of time. However, he could only do so much, with Tomas Hertl scoring in the 3rd minute of OT.

Transaction
Flames get a pending free agent off the books for a younger player who will continue AHL development next year.
New York Rangers get:
C Kevin Rooney, 30

Calgary Flames get:
LW Will Cuylle, 22

L 4-1 vs DET (Feb 17)
Another tough home game as the Flames look to see out the rest of the season without Lindholm. Markstrom struggles, despite a quieter night, only facing 25 shots.

Transaction
The Flames make two more extensions:
Jakob Pelletier - 1,058,750 AAV, 3 years
Cole Schwindt - 1,058,750 AAV, 3 years

W 5-2 vs WPH (Feb 19)
The first win in the post-Lindholm era of the Flames. Scandella is good but not great as he continues a small amount of early success with the Flames. Adam Ruzicka, Ben Jones and Mathias Emilio-Pettersen all have multi point nights.

L 8-5 vs BOS (Feb 22)
A high scoring battle goes the way of the Bruins. Pastranak proves to be the best player on the ice, as he achieves a 7 point night (with 5 goals). Flames keep the shot count close (38-35), but with none of the blue line really showing up, it's meaningless.

L 3-2 @ EDM (Feb 24)
Evander Kane stars in the Battle of Alberta. Mangiapane keeps it close with a powerplay goal and assist, but a Kane goal in the final minute of regulation causes the Flames to suffer another loss. Markstrom continues to be under a lot of pressure, facing 43 shots tonight.

SOW 4-3 vs LAK (Feb 27)
The Flames finish off feburary with a win, taking down playoff hopeful LA in a shootout. Calgary got off to a quick start with Huberdeau picking up a 3 point night within the first period. LA managed to claw back the three needed goals over the next two periods, but missing 2 penalty shots was enough to make them settle for the single point.

Transaction
With a number of solid defensive defensemen, the Flames choose to take a chance on former CBJ defenseman Adam Boqvist. The swede is a strong playmaker and shooter from the blue line, but is yet to put things together at the NHL level.

Additionally, Mikael Backlund has recovered from his injuries and moves back to the active roster:
To AHL: Marco Scandella, Jordan Oersterle (From NHL)
To NHL: Mickael Backlund (off IL), Jacob Pellietier (From AHL)

Calgary Stats
Goals - Huberdeau (20), Lindholm (17), Mangiapane (15), Ruzicka, Kadri (15)
Assists - Huberdeau (30), Weegar (24), Sharangovich (22), Mangiapane (20), Fix-Wolansky, Moser( 19)
Points - Huberdeau (50), Mangiapane (35), Lindholm (33), Ruzicka (32), Sharangovich (30)
PIM - Greer (33), Weegar (32), Moser (30), Mangiapane, Kadri (26)
Shots - Mangiapane (154), Huberdeau, Hanifin (151), Kadri (130), Weegar (121)
Hits - Weegar (107), Mangiapane (103), Greer (100), Coleman (98), Huberdeau (88)
Takeaways - Weegar (50), Moser, Lindholm (43), Huberdeau (39), Hanifin (38)
Blocks - Andersson (93), Weegar (78), Tanev (74), Moser (70), Lajoie (62)
FO% (min 5) -

Prospects
Jeremie Poirier (AHL) - 45 GP, 10G, 18A - With playoff hopes over, expect to see Poirier join the NHL roster soon to continue his development.

Dustin Wolf (AHL) - 32 GP, .903 SV%, 3.19 GAA - with more consistent outings as the season goes on, Calgary has made the decision to extend Dustin Wolf, though will start 2024 in the AHL.

Etienne Morin (QMJHL) - 35 GP, 12G, 24A - Morin will be coming into 24/25 contending for a place on a young blue line. Between him and Boqvist, next season's powerplay should likely be far more effective.