Mar 26, 2014; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames center Sean Monahan (23) controls the puck as Anaheim Ducks center Rickard Rakell (67) defends during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
2. The Flames are seen by many as a young team that is supposed to experience growing pains, yet it seems that Calgary has done its part to bounce back from adversity. They’ve only lost two games in a row once all season, and one of those was in a shootout. Nobody really expected Calgary to be a strong candidate to be in the thick of the Western Conference, yet the Flames are third in the Pacific Division and fifth in the Western Conference near the quarter mark of the season. Who has impressed you the most in this season, and which young player are you most excited to see grow into the future?
Len: The .941 October save percentage by Jonas Hiller has been the most impressive part of the season for me. Flames fans were cautiously optimistic about sophomore Sean Monahan and rookie Johnny “Johnny Hockey” Gaudreau but knew that goaltending was going to be the key to success.
After a slow start, both Monahan (five goals in his last eight games) and Gaudreau (although Gaudreau’s has been held in check the past 3 games) have rounded into form. Josh Jooris was a pleasant surprise in camp and has been a pleasant surprise since being called up early in the season. For as excited as I am about the aforementioned three, Emile Poirier is sitting, seasoning in the American Hockey League, and this year’s 4th overall pick, Sam Bennett, is healing from shoulder surgery and excite just as much.