Calgary heads into camp with leadership anchored by Mackenzie Weegar and a still-in-Calgary Rasmus Andersson. Weegar is the likely voice on the blue line and could grow into a captaincy role if Andersson remains. Top pairings look like Weegar–Andersson, with Bahl and Parekh pushing for major roles and Hanley providing flexible depth. Parekh's 19-year-old status and possible AHL eligibility loom large as camp opens. Bubble players Bean, Miromanov, Brzustewicz, Solovyov, Kuznetsov will push for scarce spots.

In goal, Wolf carries the workload as the starter with Vladar departed, while Cooley and Prosvetov duel for the backup job. Prosvetov brings NHL experience and a recent KHL stint to the table, which could tilt the race. Preseason decisions on defense depth and the goalie tandem will shape the Flames’ early-season ceiling.

Calgary’s 2024 Top 25 Under 25 paints a rich, multi‑tier future for the Flames, blending early NHL breakthroughs with deep junior and college development. Dustin Wolf anchors the present‑day horizon as a franchise‑changing goalie; Parekh and Gridin stand out as blue‑line and scoring engines to watch; a wave of forwards and defenders across WHL, OHL, NCAA and European playmaking paths populate a crowded pipeline that the Flames will shepherd into regular NHL roles over the next few seasons. Aged‑out veterans and trades reshuffle the board, but the core remains: more high‑ceiling talent is on the way in Calgary.

Calder Trophy candidates Demidov, Snuggerud, Leonard, Koivunen, Misa, Shabanov, Rinzel, Parekh, Buium, Schaefer, Askarov and Merilainen stand out as high-upside targets for dynasty and keeper rosters. Demidov could hit a 65-point ceiling with Montreal if Laine and Dach stay healthy and gel; Snuggerud projects 60–65 on a top line; Leonard brings multi-cat value with scoring and hits; Koivunen could thrive on Crosby’s wing. Deeper leagues eye Misa, Rinzel and Parekh for immediate gains, while Buium and Merilainen loom as longer-term upside.

Value opportunities arise from top-line opportunities, exclusive power-play roles, and the ability to contribute across categories. The mix of young talent across Montreal, St. Louis, Washington, Pittsburgh and San Jose creates multiple viable in-season streams for fantasy managers. Dynasty rosters should pounce on these rookies now, and redraft players may find late-round steals among this group as the season unfolds.

In short, these rookies offer a blend of immediate point upside, multi-category contributions and long-term growth potential. Target the right mix of high-floor producers and high-ceiling dice rolls to build a versatile, championship-ready roster.

Colorado and Martin Necas are in active talks as Necas nears the end of a two-year, $6.5M cap hit deal. A $10M target would test the Avs’ payroll, especially with a Cale Makar extension looming in two years and Mikko Rantanen-like implications. The cap math could shape moves this summer.

Sidney Crosby’s potential destination fuels a win-now market; Avalanche and Hurricanes top the list, with Calgary’s defense market also alive as Rasmus Andersson’ status lingers and Flames depth behind Weegar is being weighed. The joke of a rumor cycle touches Ottawa’s Shane Pinto, Devils, and Penguins as teams gauge value and fit.

Flames’ new GM Conroy has Andersson in play, but Calgary’s depth on right-handed defense—Weegar, Parekh, Brzustewicz, Pachal—gives a hedge against a push for a big-money move. Calgary, Ottawa, New Jersey, and Pittsburgh are all in the mix as cap realities intersect with win-now timelines.