Flames Forward Discusses Roster Changes

Calgary Flames forward Andrew Mangiapane wants the fanbase to know the team didn't lose all their talented players this summer and still have a really good team. Mangiapane recently inked a three-year contract extension to stay in Calgary, worth $5.8 million per season.

The offensive forward is going to see a much bigger role in Calgary this season as the team hopes he can build off a 35-goal campaign from a season ago. Mangiapane recently skated in Barrie, ON as part of the Boots and Hearts Barnburner and met up with a number of media and discussed the lineup changes:

I think our whole team needs to be maybe 10% better and just grow and build off the season that we had last year. Yeah, we lost two good players, but we didn't lose our whole team. I think the majority of guys are still here, and the majority of guys that were here were successful because of who they are. I feel if everyone is putting in the work and growing, this could be a very special year for us. When two big names at forward both leave, there's room for players to step up, and that includes me. That includes some other players as well. There's room there, there's opportunity, and now it's up to us to fill their spot and continue our own growth, too.

Mangiapane will have a ton of pressure to perform this season as he's now quickly become of the leaders and team's best players. The Flames are going to have a giant spotlight on them early on next season to see just how well they bounce back from a wild offseason. If Mangiapane and company can't get off to a good start, the team will be in tough to keep Jonathan Huberdeau around long term. Mangiapane however, is locked in.