Season-ending report cards have become something of a tradition for me as I’m now covering my second NHL team at The Athletic. These cards will be much more encompassing than usual as we didn’t do a midseason report this year. So, our assessments will cover all of this past season.
We’ve divided our report cards into three parts. Part 1 will feature forwards, part 2 will look at defencemen and goaltenders and our third part will focus on head coach Ryan Huska and general manager Craig Conroy.
Every player here has played at least 10 games this season.
Finally, one key rule. No players or grades are created equal. Expectations matter and they affect how each one is evaluated. The grading curve for a veteran is a little different for a rookie.
Mikael Backlund
2023-24 season: 15 goals, 39 points, 82 games
This was Backlund’s first year as captain, an overdue symbol of recognition for the longtime leader who decided to sign an extension ahead of the season. While the work of GM Craig Conroy of stripping the rosters plays a role, Backlund does have to shoulder his responsibility for the team missing the playoffs. There’s no question he’s one of the most important forwards on the team because of his ability to be used in all situations. But while he wasn’t expected to match or surpass his career-best totals from last year, he still had a drop-off in statistical performance this year that wasn’t helped at all by a quiet final 20 games of the season.
Grade: C
Blake Coleman
2023-24 season: 30 goals, 54 points, 78 games
The “Texas Tiger” had a career season while working in his familiar role alongside Backlund. His leadership and defensive work are already valuable skills to the Flames, but to see him produce as well offensively as he did was a pleasant surprise. His goal song changed halfway through the season because of the notoriety around his nickname and the goals he scored.
Grade: B+
Matthew Coronato
2023-24 season: 3 goals, 9 points, 34 games
There were high hopes around Coronato entering the season. He still has that high-level shot that should allow him to score many goals. He just needs to be harder on pucks and improve his all-around game. The grade appears harsh, but Coronato remains a work in progress as an NHL player. The good thing is that he showed improvement in his last few games.
Grade: C-
Walker Duehr
2023-24 season: 2 goals, 7 points, 40 games
Duehr looked like he deserved to be an everyday NHLer last year. But he didn’t show that enough this year. He didn’t even consistently show that straight-line speed and forecheck ability that worked for him under ex-head coach Darryl Sutter. This year should’ve seen him improve with more time and trust, but he didn’t earn enough of it from Huska.
Grade: D
A.J. Greer
2023-24 season: 6 goals, 12 points, 59 games
A foot fracture slowed Greer as he was putting together what should have been the best season of his career. Greer was a solid waiver wire pickup for the Flames, picking up points and stepping up for teammates when necessary. It wouldn’t be the worst thing for the Flames to bring him back if they wanted to.
Grade: B-
Jonathan Huberdeau
2023-24 season: 12 goals, 52 points, 81 games
Huberdeau’s numbers are worse than last season’s when he was used up and down the lineup and at both left and right wing while struggling to adjust to then-head coach Darryl Sutter. One big reason why? He had one point in December. So why does he get a slightly better grade than last year? Because his second half of this season was productive, and flashy, enough to suggest that he might be slowly turning a corner with some of the plays he’s made. Slow, but progress nonetheless. Still, not enough to justify a better grade considering the contract and expectations.
Grade: D+
Dryden Hunt
2023-24 season: 3 goals, 8 points, 28 games
A serviceable extra forward who gained enough trust from Huska to be placed up and down the lineup this season, including a stint on the top line. The Flames really don’t need to have him so high in their lineup, but plugging him into the forward core whenever necessary hasn’t been too harmful.
Grade: C-
Nazem Kadri
2023-24 season: 29 goals, 75 points, 82 games
After a bad start to the season, Kadri re-emerged as a consistent and dynamic point producer, posting the Flames’ highest net rating according to our in-house player cards. It resulted in an improved season compared to his inaugural Flames campaign, and the second-most points he’s ever put up in a season. His contributions also go beyond his numbers, helping young players like Connor Zary and Martin Pospisil establish themselves. Even his time with Andrei Kuzmenko near the end of the season helped him have a successful end of his year. Kadri was the Flames’ All-Star in 2023 and you could’ve made an argument that he should’ve been one again this year.
Grade: A
The Flames acquired Andrei Kuzmenko from Vancouver in the Elias Lindholm trade. (Sergei Belski / USA Today)
Andrei Kuzmenko
2023-24 season: 14 goals, 24 points, 28 games with Calgary (total: 22 goals, 45 points, 72 games)
It took Kuzmenko some time, but he came into his own as a highly skilled forward on this Flames team. He showed off the most skill of anyone up front and helped improve the power play. While playing in a top-six role, he gave the Flames decent production, outproducing Elias Lindholm in Vancouver since being acquired before the All-Star break. It’s fair to wonder what his future will be beyond this summer and next season. Conventional wisdom says he could be an intriguing piece to dangle at next year’s trade deadline. But what if the Flames go behind Door No. 2 and sign him long-term? His tantalizing play opens up a few more possibilities.
Grade: A
Andrew Mangiapane
2023-24 season: 14 goals, 39 points, 75 games
This year was another down season for the man they call the “Main Grain.” Last season, a nagging shoulder injury slowed him. He entered this season healthy, but this year’s numbers aren’t much better. At his best, he can be a decent middle-six winger. But it appears that the 35-goal season from 2021-22 was just a one-off.
Grade: D
Jakob Pelletier
2023-24 season: 1 goal, 3 points, 13 games
When Pelletier was healthy, he was playing effectively alongside Kevin Rooney on the fourth line. Unfortunately, that did not last long when he re-aggravated his shoulder with another injury in February. Once he was healthy, he did not look himself and he clearly needed more time at the AHL to get his bearings back. He’ll get another crack at making the NHL roster next season. This is one of those grades that’s a bit harsh, admittedly.
Grade: D+
Martin Pospisil
2023-24 season: 8 goals, 24 points, 63 games
The good for Pospisil is that he established himself as an NHLer thanks to his pace, skill and tenacity. He can be a frustrating player to play against while producing in a secondary scoring role. That bears well for his future. The bad for him is that his edginess has likely given him a less-than-ideal reputation as a habitual line-stepper, and his effectiveness immediately disappears when ejected from games.
Grade: B-
Kevin Rooney
2023-24 season: 3 goals, 4 points, 33 games
Rooney had his lengthy injury layoff dating back to preseason. But now that he’s healthy, he was a centre that Huska can at least rely on for a fourth line that has been spotty when it comes to efficacy this season. The Flames were pleased enough with his play to re-sign him to a one-year extension for next year. The thing is, the point production still has to be a bit higher to justify the $1.3 million AAV. Could they have a better fourth-line centre above him? Maybe. But it wouldn’t be the worst thing to have him as part of a fourth line with younger guys next year, especially if he can keep up with them.
Grade: C-
Yegor Sharangovich
2023-24 season: 31 goals, 59 points, 82 games
Sharangovich was asked to play centre and wing while playing top-six minutes this season. He thrived, setting a career-high in goals and points and even NHL records for most goals and points by a Belarussian player. Conroy hit a home run by acquiring Sharangovich last offseason. The next question should be how much will Sharangovich want in a contract extension to remain with the Flames.
Grade: A
Connor Zary
2023-24 season: 14 goals, 34 points, 63 games
The Flames needed Zary’s skill and energy when he was called up from the AHL earlier in the season. His presence was welcomed and he even turned himself into a dark horse for the Calder Trophy. Now, Zary is adjusting to life as an NHL centre. In any case, the Flames don’t have to worry about him needing more seasoning in the AHL. He’s shown that he’s ready to be a full-time NHLer with room to grow.
Grade: B
(Top photo: Brett Holmes / Icon Sportswire)
