A new look in Calgary

[CanuckJohnny]

Holy moly what a win streak in March!

Good luck in the playoffs. Also crazy season for Beauvillier

[rhaums]

Originally Posted by CanuckJohnny

Holy moly what a win streak in March!

Good luck in the playoffs. Also crazy season for Beauvillier

I know right, season started with things about as bad as possible then March was pretty much a best case scenario.

[rhaums]

Transaction
Without roster limits, Adam Ruzicka and Johnathan Aspirot are added to the NHL roster.

W 5-3 @ VGK (Apr 24)
Calgary take the series opener with a 3g 1a night for Kadri. Markstrom makes 31/33 saves. Honzek wins 7/9 faceoffs as both teams look to game 2. Weegar strains his Pectoral muscle but will play through his injury.

CGY leads 1-0

W 5-3 @ VGK (Apr 26)
Calgary will head back home up 2-0 in the series as they come back from a 3-1 Vegas lead in the 2nd. Thomas Novak has a 3 point night.

Calgary leads 2-0

W 9-1 vs VGK (Apr 28)
A Coronato hat trick headlines a dominant game 3 for Calgary. Markstrom only has to face 24 shots and saves all but one. Cole Sillinger and Samuel Honzek also have multi point nights.

Calgary leads 3-0


L 5-0 vs VGK (Apr 30)
Vegas fight their way back into the series, as Logan Thompson has himself a shutout. Markstrom keeps them scoreless into the 3rd period, but a 5 goal 3rd is enough to stop the seep.

Calgary leads 3-1

W 4-3 @ VGK (May 2)
Calgary overcome a dissapointing game 4, as the Flames take the series in 5. Hubderdeau and Novak both have two point nights, as the Flames look towards LA in the second round.

Calgary wins 4-1

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Other series:
Toronto (WC2) vs Montreal (1)
TOR 1 @ MTL 8
TOR 5 @ MTL 4

MTL 3 @ TOR 5
MTL 5 @ TOR 1

TOR 5 @ MTL 4

MTL 2 @ TOR 4

Matthews and Marner getting 8 points in 6 games is more than enough for Toronto to get the upset. Samsonov had a few excellent nights that were more than enough to knock off the East's top team.

Boston (3) vs Tampa Bay (2)
BOS 3 @ TBL 4
BOS 4 @ TBL 7

TBL 3 @ BOS 4
TBL 4 @ BOS 0

BOS 2 @ TBL 5

Tampa were too good for the Bruins, as Kucherov picks up a point in every game. Anthony Cirelli also has a strong series, scoring 6 goals in the 5 games.

Detroit (WC1) vs Carolina (1)
DET 4 @ CAR 5
DET 3 @ CAR 6

CAR 1 @ DET 5
CAR 1 @ DET 3

DET 2 @ CAR 1

CAR 5 @ DET 1

DET 3 @ CAR 4

In series that goes all the way, the 2024 champions get through the first round. Sebastian Aho resumes his amazing playoff form with 9 goals and 4 assists in the opening series.


Columbus (3) vs Pittsburgh (2)
CBJ 0 @ PIT 5
CBJ 2 @ PIT 5

PIT 3 @ CBJ 6
PIT 2 @ CBJ 5

CBJ 2 @ PIT 1

PIT 4 @ CBJ 1

CBJ 1 @ PIT 4

The veterans are enough for the Penguins, as Crosby's 7 poiints lead the way for Pittsburgh.

Los Angeles (1) vs Edmonton (WC 2)
EDM 4 @ LAK 7
EDM 4 @ LAK 7

LAK 6 @ EDM 3
LAK 1 @ EDM 8

EDM 4 @ LAK 5
McDavid's 10 points were not enough for the Oilers, as they go another season without a cup. Kempe outscores him with 11 points.

Vancouver (WC1) vs Colorado (1)
VAN 6 @ COL 3
VAN 4 @ COL 3

COL 7 @ VAN 6
COL 5 @ VAN 2

VAN 0 @ COL 6

COL 2 @ VAN 3

VAN 1 @ COL 4

Vancouver play their 5th straight 7 game series, dating back to the 2019-20 playoffs. Mackinnon (3g 6a) and Makar (2g 6a) were too good for the Canucks.

Minnesota (3) vs Winnipeg (2)
MIN 4 @ WPG 5
MIN 0 @ WPG 8

WPG 5 @ MIN 7
WPG 5 @ MIN 2

MIN 4 @ WPG 5

Kyle Connor's 11 point series is more than enough as Winnipeg moves past the Wild with little issue.

Round 2 series:
Toronto (WC2) vs Tampa Bay (2)
Pittsburgh (2) vs Carolina (1)

Calgary (3) vs Los Angeles (1)
Winnipeg (2) vs Colorado (1)

[rhaums]

OTW 6-5 @ LAK (May 8)
Calgary create too many shots for Pheonix Copley, and Hronek scores his first playoff goal in OT, to take the opening game of the second series. Beauvillier has a 1g 2a night again.

Calgary lead 1-0

W 3-1 @ LAK (May 10)
A two goal night from Sharangovich is enough to have the Flames on a flight back to Canada with another 2-0 series lead. Danforth makes his return into the Flames lineup.

Calgary lead 2-0

W 6-3 vs LAK (May 12)
Last year's Conn Smythe, Hronek, has a 1g 2a night. Sillinger sets up two goals as the Flames move one win away from a trip to the Western Conference Final.

Calgary lead 3-0

L 6-1 vs LAK (May 14)
Both goalies struggle as the Flames concede 6 goals off 25 shots. Thomas Novak was the only Flame to score.

Calgary lead 3-1

W 5-0 @ LAK (May 16)
Markstrom has a 33 save shoutout as the Flames punch their way to the Western Conference final. Thomas Novak continues being the story of the playoffs, setting up a goal for his 12th point of the postseason.

Calgary win 4-1

[rhaums]

Other round 2:
Toronto vs Tampa Bay
TOR 3 @ TBL 6
TOR 7 @ TBL 3

TBL 0 @ TOR 7
TBL 5 @ TOR 4

TOR 4 @ TBL 3

TBL 1 @ TOR 3

Auston Matthews has a 10 point series, as the Leafs reach a ECF for the first time since the 2001/02 season. A two goal, eight assist series from Matthews helped them, as does a 2 g 7 a series from Marner.

Pittsburgh @ Carolina
PIT 1 @ CAR 3
PIT 2 @ CAR 3

CAR 1 @ PIT 4
CAR 1 @ PIT 7

PIT 2 @ CAR 5

CAR 4 @ PIT 3

A 5g 6a series is enough for Martin Necas to move ahead of Aho in point scoring for the Hurricanes. Fredrik Anderson had a number of strong outings, to take Carolina back to another straight ECF.

Colorado vs Winnipeg
WPG 4 @ COL 6
WPG 6 @ COL 0

COL 4 @ WPG 6
COL 3 @ WPG 5

WPG 2 @ COL 5

COL 6 @ WPG 2

WPG 2 @ COL 5

A 4 assist night for Cale Makar sets the stage for a closely fought series in which Colorado takes it in seven.
An 8 point series from Landeskog also helps the Avalanche along.

[CanuckJohnny]

Wow talk about being hot at the right time. You might say the Flames are on fire! lol

Poor Crosby. Hopefully Carolina beats Toronto because I like laughing at the Leafs. At least Edmonton still can't win in the playoffs haha.

[rhaums]

Eastern Conference Final
TOR 4 @ CAR 5
Aho continues to dominate postseason hockey, with a 2g 1a night. Carolina's 41 shots are enough to take the lead, as the Canes open the series on their terms.

TOR 2 @ CAR 5
Despite only making 21 shots, Carolina score 5 again. Necas and Aho both score 2 and Andersen makes 36 saves, as the Hurricanes move onto the road up 2-0.

CAR 1 @ TOR 2 (OT)
Bertuzzi scores in OT as the Maple Leafs claw their way back into the series. The teams are evenly matched for shots, and both Andersen (41 saves) and Samsonov (40 saves) both are stars of the game.

CAR 3 @ TOR 1
Necas scores and picks up two assists, as the Hurricanes travel back to Carolina one win away from a second straight cup final. Aho also scores to keep the postseason point battle tight.

TOR 1 @ CAR 2 (OT)
A much lower scoring game as despite making 46 shots, Carolina only score one goal in regulation, with Michael Bunting pickup up both that, and the game winning goal to send them to their second straight cup final.

Western Conference Final
L 4-2 @ COL (May 24)
Georgiev makes 41/43 saves and the Flames struggle to score against Colorado. Beauvillier picks up a two point night as they look to pick up at least one win before they head back across the border.

OTL 3-2 @ COL (May 26)
Landeskog scores 43 seconds into OT, and the Flames are forced to deal with a 2-0 deficit. Beauviller scores again but the Flames backs are up against the wall. Kadri is day to day with elbow issues.

W 2-1 vs COL (May 28)
Despite a .950 SV% night for Georgiyev, Markstrom has a better night and the Flames get their first WCF win. Beauvillier sets up Novak and Hronek for the goals

W 4-2 vs COL (May 30)
Calgary even the series back up as a 44 shot night is enough to beat Georgiyev again. Cole Sillinger scores twice as the Flames return south to try and get a series lead.

L 7-3 @ COL (Jun 1)
Markstrom is absolutely beat as the Avs are too strong for the Flames. Huberdeau, Backlund and Sharangovich score but the remaining games are now must win for Calgary.

W 6-4 vs COL (Jun 3)
A 3a night for Andersson is enough so that the Flames win all their home games in the WCF. With neither team yet to win on the road, it all comes down to game 7 to play for the Stanley Cup. With Kadri back in the lineup, Flames fans have their fingers crossed.

W 7-4 vs CGY (Jun 5)
The Flames are Western Conference Champions!!! Huberdeau has 1g 3a, Novak 1g 2a and the hot scoring bails out a 22/26 night from Markstrom.

Breaking
Ahead of the Cup Final, the board show confidence in Castonguay by extending her for another two years until 2027.


2025 Stanley Cup Final:

Carolina Hurricanes (48-30-4) @ Calgary Flames (45-26-11)

[CanuckJohnny]

Game 7 Clutch Let's GO

[rhaums]

2025 Stanley Cup Final:

L 6-5 vs CAR
Despite Andersen struggling with a .800 SV%, Calgary only managed 25 shots, and Carolina easily took the win. Kadri was the best skater for Calgary with 1g 2a.

L 5-3 vs CAR
Markstrom struggled yet again, and the Hurricanes took a 2-0 lead on the road. Beauvillier scored two in the losing effort.

L 3-0 @ CAR
Carolina get a shutout as Andersen is too good and the Flames face a series sweep in game 4.

L 5-3 @ CAR
Calgary struggled defensively again, as Carolina took the fourth and final win of the series.

An exciting playoff run ends brutally for Calgary, as they're swept in their first Stanley Cup Final since 2004.

NOTE: Sad end but also really happy how this team is coming along!!

[rhaums]

2025 NHL Awards:

Ted Lindsay: Connor McDavid (EDM) - 82 GP, 87 g, 57 a
Art Ross: Connor McDavid (EDM) - 144 Points
Maurice Richard: Connor McDavid (EDM) - 87 Goals
Lady Byng: Alex DeBrincat (DET) - 82 GP, 24 PIM
Bill Masterton: Adam Larsson (SEA)
Mark Messier Leadership: Nicklas Backstrom (WAS)
Jennings Trophy: Logan Thompson (VGK)

Hart Trophy: Connor McDavid (EDM) - 82 GP, 87g, 57a
Conn Smythe: Sebastian Aho (CAR) - 22 GP, 16g, 12a
Calder: Yegor Afansyev (TBL) - 78 GP, 15a, 45a
Norris: Evan Bouchard (EDM) - 77 GP, 19g, 47 a
Selke: Chandler Stephenson (VGK)
Vezina: Juuse Saros (NSH): 70 GP, .914 SV%, 2.85 GAA
Executive of the Year: Chris MacFarland (COL): 50-23-9 (3rd in West)
Jack Adams: Chris Lamoriello (COL): 50-23-9 (3rd in West)

All Star Team:
First:
G - Juuse Saros (NSH)
D - Evan Bouchard (EDM)
D - Shea Theodore (VGK)
LW - Leon Draisaitl (EDM)
C - Connor McDavid (EDM)
RW - Adrian Kempe (LAK)

Second:
G - Ilya Sorokin (NYI)
D - Alex Pietrangelo (VGK)
D - Drew Doughty (LAK)
LW - Alex DeBrincat (DET)
C - Dylan Larkin (DET)
RW - Mikko Rantanen (COL)

Rookie:
G - Jakub Dobes (MTL)
D - William Villeneuve (TOR)
D - Carter Berger (EDM)
LW - Phillipe Daoust (OTT)
C - Luca Del Bel Belluz (EDM)
RW - Yegor Afansyev

[rhaums]

End of Season details:

ELCs:
Konsta Helenius
Jaden Lipinski
Aron Kiviharju
Ryder Ritchie

Calgary projected lines heading into offseason
Markstrom
Dichow

Huberdeau/Kadri/Beauviller
Mangiapane/Sillinger/Helenius
Ritchie/Ruzicka/Pelletier
Fix-Wolansky/Jones/Honzek

Hanifin/Boqvist
Weegar/Hronek
Andersson/Moser

Notes: The lower defensive pairings seem on the more expensive side. At his age and contract, Weegar's cap space could potentially be better used. Additionally, Even though he's captain, Backlund is past his peak and may struggle to break into the lines. Markstrom is good but if a better upgrade is available it may be worth taking.

RFAs:
Boqvist
Sillinger
Coronato

UFAs:
Novak
Sharangovich
Danforth
Angello
Aspirot

[rhaums]

Pre-Draft

Retirements:
Nicklas Backstrom (1239 gp, 289g, 975a)
Josh Bailey (1176gp, 193g, 429a)
Brent Burns (1485gp, 257g, 653a, 1x Norris)
Evgeni Dadonov (596 gp, 142g, 193a)
Lars Eller (1033 gp, 168g, 219a)
Chris Tanev (837 gp, 35g, 171a)
Gustav Nyquist (838 gp, 210g, 309a)
Riley Nash (769 gp, 71g, 144a)
Nick Cousins (599 gp, 76g, 131a)
Nic Dowd (568 gp, 67g, 85a)
Derek Ryan (664 gp, 100g, 155a)
Pierre-Edouard Bellemare (813 gp, 80g, 118a)
Luke Glendening (830gp, 83g, 113a)
Nick Leddy (1066 gp, 88g, 368a)
Tyler Ennis (700 gp, 144g, 202a)
Nick Foligno (1148 gp, 218g, 326a)
Milan Lucic (1205 gp, 235g, 356a)
Ryan mcDonagh (937 gp, 82g, 303a)
Ryan Suter (1435 gp, 110g, 580a)
Blake Wheeler (1214 gp, 328g, 663a)
Matt Martin (1019 gp, 93g, 120a)
Jake Allen (419gp, 2.77 gaa)
Petr Mrazek (370 gp, 2.83 gaa)
Jake Muzzin (683 gp, 69g, 225a)

Free Agency Preview:
Mikko Rantanen, 28, RW:
The biggest prize of this offseason is Mikko Rantanen. Coming off a 107 point season, Rantanen is a fantastic offensive player and skater that would be a key offensive threat on any 1st line. He's not the most physical player but would not be a defensive liablilty.

Mitch Marner, 28, RW:
After shocking the world and not re-signing with Toronto, Mitch Marner is another name that many anticipate will be closely watched. with 102 points last year on the leafs, his puckhandling and passing are another fantastic option for top line play.

Igor Shesterkin, 29, G:
One of the best goalies in the league, Shesterkin chose to end his 6 years in the New York Rangers net and look for another team to play on. A highly talented puck stopper, a hot Shesterkin in net could lead teams to deep playoff runs.

Shea Theodore, 29, LD:
Theodore is one of the best blue line options in this free agent class. An incredible skater who has elite levels of passing and puck handling, Theodore could easily become a key part of a strong powerplay unit.

Travis Konecny, 28, RW:
Another talented offensive forward with high skating skills, Konecny is maybe not quite at Marner and Rantanen's level but is still incredibly strong.

Juuse Saros, 30, G:
The reigning Vezina champion is on the free market after 400 games over a decade in Nashville. While he may miss being behind a top 5 blue line, Saros could be the boost a team needs towards a cup.

Other notable free agents:
Patrick Kane, 36, RW
Evgeny Kuznetsov, 33, C
Elias Lindholm, 30, C


Trades:
Pittsburgh trade Samuel Poulin, RW, 24 and Spencer Humphries, RD, 33 to LA for Alex Turcotte, C, 24 and a 2025 7th Round Pick
Analysis: LA pick up a cheap NHL ready guy Pittsburgh pick up an exciting prospect and a little bit extra draft capital.

Seattle trades Max Domi to Philadelphia for Oliver Bonk (20, RD) picking up young blue liner off a 24 point rookie season.

Seattle trades Jagger Firkus and a 2025 7th round pick to Columbus for Daeomon Hunt and a 2026 4th rounder. Hunt is decent but Firkus has a much higher celing. Probably a trade win for the Blue Jackets.

Draft Notes: As Florida have a lottery pick, they retain their 2025 1st round pick and instead will give Calgary their 2026 1st.






General Thoughts:
While going after Rantanen would be fun, it would make cap management an absolute nightmare in the next few years, it makes far more sense to sign up Sillinger and Boqvist and maybe try to bring in Saros as a younger goalie option with only 2-3 mil more cap hit than Markstrom. This team should be in or around playoff spots anyway, but strong rookie seasons from Helenius and Ritchie could make up for just missing.

[CanuckJohnny]

How's the off-season going?

[rhaums]

Originally Posted by CanuckJohnny

How's the off-season going?

It's going well but between moving house, having electrical work done at my current place, and a few other things, life has just sorta got in the way! prob not too much longer though!