Latest news with #CraigConroy
National Post
a day ago
- Sport
- National Post
Are Flames and Rasmus Andersson heading for a messy break-up? Five burning questions
Rasmus Andersson is now officially in the final year of his contract with the Calgary Flames. Article content It seems inevitable that the 28-year-old Andersson will be traded away. The biggest question now — beyond the when and maybe the where — is how messy the break-up will be. Article content The Flames fan base is fuming after the insiders reported there were some compelling trade offers for Andersson during draft weekend, but that those would-be suitors were scared off because the righty rearguard wasn't interested in signing long-term in their city. Article content Article content If you scan social media, it's easy to find accusations that Andersson is about to 'pull a Hanifin.' (For those who don't understand the reference, more on that in a moment.) Article content 'Here's the thing that is making that situation complicated … ' said Pierre LeBrun on TSN's Insider Trading. 'Rasmus Andersson only wants to sign an extension, it's our understanding, with the Vegas Golden Knights.' Article content If true, that leaves Flames general manager Craig Conroy in quite a pickle. Article content Asked Tuesday if he has received any indication from Andersson, who can list just six teams in his no-trade clause, that he is only willing to go to one destination, Conroy stickhandled smoothly. Article content 'Right now, he's totally fine with playing for the Calgary Flames,' Conroy replied. 'That was the last conversation. And he's always said that, he's a Calgary Flame. When he comes back in September, he'll say the same thing to you guys — 'I love it here, I'm a Calgary Flame.' Article content 'It's all the speculation … And hey, everybody has a job, everybody has to do it, but until something is done, nothing is done. You have seen guys (Tuesday) that maybe you think weren't going to re-sign with their team and they did re-sign with their team. It happens.' Article content Article content Back in September, you say? Article content As we wait for the next twist or turn, here are five burning questions on what will remain the biggest storyline around the Flames … Article content As Conroy was unloading a handful of pending free agents during the 2023-24 campaign, his first as general manager of the Flames, there was optimism that his most valuable trade chip would be Noah Hanifin, an in-his-prime defenceman with elite skating ability. Article content Why's that? Article content In the lead-up to the trade deadline, word circulated that Hanifin was only willing to talk contract with a very short list of teams. Many believed that it was Tampa or bust, although he was apparently also open to joining his close pal Jack Eichel in Sin City. Article content Backed into a corner, Conroy had to settle for an underwhelming offer from the Golden Knights. While the Flames did receive a first-round pick, to be cashed next summer, the only roster addition was Daniil Miromanov. He has not made much of an impact at the Saddledome and may not even have a regular role next winter.
CTV News
a day ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Brent Seabrook brings ‘championship pedigree' to Calgary Flames' player development staff
Former Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Brent Seabrook is joining the Calgary Flames' player development staff. (AP Photo/David Banks) A three-time Stanley Cup champion and Olympic gold medallist is joining the Calgary Flames' player development staff. And Brent Seabrook is excited for the opportunity. 'I am really looking forward to getting started with the group of young, talented players in the Flames organization,' Seabrook said. 'The future of the organization is very bright.' Seabrook, who played 15 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, will work with players from the Flames as well as the AHL's Calgary Wranglers. The Flames made the announcement on Monday. And the team is just as excited as Seabrook. 'We are pleased to welcome Brent Seabrook,' said Flames GM Craig Conroy. 'Our young players will benefit from his years of experience in the NHL and his championship pedigree.' The Flames also announced on Monday that six players have received qualifying offers. Those players include Morgan Frost, Connor Zary, Sam Morton, Rory Kerins, Yan Kuznetsov and Jeremie Poirier.
National Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- National Post
Calgary Flames add three-time Stanley Cup champion Brent Seabrook to development staff
Brent Seabrook won three Stanley Cups, played in 1,114 NHL games and won an Olympic gold medal, too. Article content Not a bad guy to have helping guide the next generation of Calgary Flames blueliners, right? Article content On Monday afternoon, the Flames announced Seabrook as the new addition to their player development staff. While his job won't be limited to working with the likes of Zayne Parekh, Hunter Brzustewicz, Henry Mews and Mace'o Phillips, those young blueliners can only benefit from having a former player of Seabrook's stature helping them along. Article content 'We are pleased to welcome Brent Seabrook to our development team,' said Flames GM Craig Conroy in a press release. 'Our young players will benefit from his years of experience in the NHL and his championship pedigree.' Article content Seabrook retired from the NHL in 2021 after a 15-year run with the Chicago Blackhawks that saw him establish himself as one of the most reliable defencemen of his era. Since hanging up his skates, he took a job with the Vancouver Giants — where Flames 2023 first-round pick Sam Honzek played — as an interim assistant coach and then transitioned into a player development coach. Article content He was also named to Hockey Canada's Program of Excellence Management Group with the under-20 program in 2024. Article content Now, he'll join a Flames development team that is spearheaded by Ray Edwards and will work alongside Martin Gelinas, Danielle Fujita, Rebecca Johnston, Darren Rommerdahl, Michael Stone and Zach McClean. Article content
National Post
2 days ago
- Business
- National Post
Will Scotia Place be a game-changer for Calgary Flames in future free-agent chases?
Perhaps Craig Conroy was practising his sales pitch. Article content While the Calgary Flames are unlikely to make a big splash during Tuesday's free-agent frenzy, there is optimism that Scotia Place — the brand-new arena/event centre that is now under construction across the street from the Saddledome — will be a major lure for future fishing expeditions. Article content Just ask the general manager. As Conroy rattles through some of the features of Scotia Place, which is slated to open for the 2027-28 season, you can't miss the excitement in his voice. Article content Article content 'I think it's going to be huge for us,' Conroy told Postmedia. 'Guys love the new, shiny things. I think they'll love all of the amenities, right from the place that you go in to have your breakfast and then the shooting rooms and kick-around rooms and just all the other stuff that comes with it. Article content 'And then to also have a practice rink right in the building with you, that's a home run for us. The new gym … I mean, if you have ever seen our gym here, we do the best we can with the space we have, but just everything is going to be state-of-the-art. Article content 'You already hear guys talking about it on other teams, just because they drive by and see the hole. Next year, they're going to see so much more. People talk about it, and it's going to be great for us moving forward. You can't really know until it's time, but I think it's going to make a big difference in guys' minds, for sure.' Article content It can't, of course, be the only draw. Article content If you flip Tuesday to the signing shows on Sportsnet or TSN, you won't hear a player — patched in via FaceTime from their lakefront cottage or the sixth hole of their favourite course — say, 'Well, the team stinks and the money was way better elsewhere but, ooooh boy, how about that barn?!' Article content Article content Article content The plans for Scotia Place call for 41,000 cubic metres of concrete, 9,000 metric tonnes of rebar and nearly 4,500 kilometres of wire throughout the walls. Article content As crews work round-the-clock at Scotia Place, Conroy is constantly game-planning how to acquire the other pieces and parts necessary to someday hoist hockey's 35-pound trophy. Article content He can't, just to be clear, do anything about Calgary's winter weather. That will always deter a few guys from signing at this latitude. Article content 'There are some other things that impact a free agent,' said Flames core part MacKenzie Weegar, a workhorse defenceman who made headlines when he stressed the need to replace the Saddledome during an end-of-season interview in April 2023. 'Is your team good? Is there a shot at playoffs? Is it a great city? Is the money the right amount?
Calgary Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Calgary Herald
Will Scotia Place be a game-changer for Calgary Flames in future free-agent chases?
Article content Perhaps Craig Conroy was practising his sales pitch. Article content While the Calgary Flames are unlikely to make a big splash during Tuesday's free-agent frenzy, there is optimism that Scotia Place — the brand-new arena/event centre that is now under construction across the street from the Saddledome — will be a major lure for future fishing expeditions. Article content Just ask the general manager. As Conroy rattles through some of the features of Scotia Place, which is slated to open for the 2027-28 season, you can't miss the excitement in his voice. Article content Article content 'I think it's going to be huge for us,' Conroy told Postmedia. 'Guys love the new, shiny things. I think they'll love all of the amenities, right from the place that you go in to have your breakfast and then the shooting rooms and kick-around rooms and just all the other stuff that comes with it. Article content Article content 'And then to also have a practice rink right in the building with you, that's a home run for us. The new gym … I mean, if you have ever seen our gym here, we do the best we can with the space we have, but just everything is going to be state-of-the-art. Article content 'You already hear guys talking about it on other teams, just because they drive by and see the hole. Next year, they're going to see so much more. People talk about it, and it's going to be great for us moving forward. You can't really know until it's time, but I think it's going to make a big difference in guys' minds, for sure.' Article content Article content It can't, of course, be the only draw. Article content If you flip Tuesday to the signing shows on Sportsnet or TSN, you won't hear a player — patched in via FaceTime from their lakefront cottage or the sixth hole of their favourite course — say, 'Well, the team stinks and the money was way better elsewhere but, ooooh boy, how about that barn?!' Article content For that reason, there are two crucial construction projects happening concurrently in Calgary. Article content Article content The plans for Scotia Place call for 41,000 cubic metres of concrete, 9,000 metric tonnes of rebar and nearly 4,500 kilometres of wire throughout the walls. Article content Conroy, meanwhile, is trying to estimate how many goals he can expect from Matt Coronato, how many assists from Zayne Parekh, how many saves from Dustin Wolf. He's projecting how much longer Nazem Kadri and Jonathan Huberdeau can remain in first-line roles and how soon Cole Reschny — the No. 18 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft — might be ready for big-league duties.
