The Calgary Flames have a blue-line problem now that Kevin Bahl’s season is over, but it does not sound like they’re about to go shopping in a big way.
On Daily Faceoff, David Pagnotta said Flames general manager Craig Conroy will likely explore the market for help on the back end, but the search should stay limited given where the team sits in its rebuild.
“I think Craig Conroy is going to look and see if there’s an option to bring in somebody on that back end. But I don’t anticipate it being an overly wide search, because let’s be realistic: where they are, they’re gonna they’re they’re in a rebuild.
We know that. And where they are doesn’t necessarily mean they’re gonna start adding, you know, big pieces or key pieces, key veteran pieces, I should say, you know, to this lineup.
So while it sucks that Bahl’s season is done, and that is a tough blow, and you got to feel for him. I think this is an opportunity.
Give some of your younger blue liners some opportunities at the NHL level. Get them acclimated to it, and then, you know, continue in the path that you’re on.
Don’t divert from it.”
Pagnotta also said the Flames could draw more attention as the season moves along, with some names already circulating and more expected to surface closer to the deadline.
“And I think Calgary, we’ll hear more noise out of them later on in the season. You know, Zach Whitecloud ‘s name’s already out there, but Morgan Frost and a few of their other guys, Ryan Strome. We’re going to be hearing more of those guys as we get closer to, you know, February and ultimately the March 1 trade deadline.”
Elsewhere on the coaching front, Pierre LeBrun reported on TSN that the Anaheim Ducks and head coach Joel Quenneville have been talking contract over the past month, and a new deal could come together soon.
“There’s a mutual desire to continue that partnership, and I expect something to get done here within the next month or two.”
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The San Diego Gulls head into Dignity Health Arena with a little more confidence than theyve had at other points this season, carrying a better spot in the Pacific Division and a chance to keep stacking results on the road. Bakersfield has been a familiar measuring stick for the Gulls, and this meeting comes with a bit of extra edge because James Hamblin is facing his former team for the first time.
For Anaheims purposes, the game is about more than just one night in Bakersfield. The Gulls are trying to turn a solid stretch into something more durable, and the upcoming slate gives them a chance to prove their recent momentum can travel. With the standings still tight enough to make every point matter, this one feels like the kind of test that can tell them a lot about where they really stand. [Read more 🡒]