3 Flames With The Most To Prove In 2023-24

The Calgary Flames didn't have the season most were expecting as they missed the playoffs and a lot of their key players struggled. After some changes, they are hoping for a better result this season, but they will need bounce backs from certain players and for them to prove they can help the team win.

Jonathan Huberdeau

Jonathan Huberdeau had the largest drop-off in points from one year to the next in NHL history, so he might have the most to prove in the entire league. He went from 115 points with the Florida Panthers to just 55 points with the Flames. He signed a massive long-term extension before his numbers were that poor for his standards. He didn't get along with their former head coach, so a fresh start this season will do him great. I think he can at least return close to a point-per-game, but he has to start strong and do so if he wants to prove his contract isn't horrible right off the hop.

Andrew Mangiapane

Andrew Mangiapane just didn't have much going for him last season. His shooting percentage dropped significantly and he scored 18 fewer goals than the season prior. It is likely his SH% at least returns to the mean, which means he'll score more, but he has to execute. The first of his three-year deal worth $5.8 million AAV didn't go according to plan. He brings goals to the table and if he can't do that, there's a problem. He has to reach 20-25 goals at the very least this season.

Jacob Markstrom

Jacob Markstrom followed up an incredible 2021-22 season with a very tough year. He struggled out of the gate, got support from Dan Vladar, but ultimately had to start the majority of the games. His bad season is one of the reasons why the team didn't make the playoffs. As a $6 million AAV goalie under contract for three more years, he has to have a much better year and not struggle to keep pucks out of his net. He has proven how good he can be and the Flames need that from him.