Calgary Flames Roster Changes
Three Roster Scenarios and Age Implications

Scenario One: Last Year Equals This Year

In this scenario the Calgary Flames bring back the exact same roster from last season.

Their average age - based on the top 23 player on last year's club is 27.7 (dated at the end of last season).

An average age of 27.7 is on the younger side of things in the NHL, but closer to the middle than the bottom when it comes to experience.


This roster features a lot of veterans that fill less important roles. Mike Vernon, Craig Berube, and Dave Lowry see less ice than most other players.

Pos

Player

Age

D

T. Lydman

24

D

B. Boughner

31

D

I. Kravchuk

35

D

R. Regehr

22

D

D. Gauthier

25

D

D. Morris

23

D

P. Buzek

25

F

J. Iginla

24

F

C. Conroy

30

F

R. Petrovicky

25

F

D. McAmmond

28

F

C. Wilm

25

F

C. Berube

36

F

C. Clark

26

F

D. Lowry

36

F

S. Nichol

27

F

R. Niedermayer

27

F

M. Savard

24

F

S. Begin

23

F

J. Wright

25

F

J. Shantz

28

G

R. Turek

31

G

M. Vernon

37

Average Age:

27.7

Scenario Two: Moderate Changes

This scenario represents the safest bet for the Flames opening night roster (plus scratches) for October 3rd.

Craig Berube, Igor Kravchuk and Mike Vernon - all UFA's - have been let go. Clarke Wilm has moved on to the Nashville Predators.

Additions include defenceman Jordan Leopold, forwards Martin Gelinas, Chuck Kobasew, and Mathias Johansson.

Under this scenario the Flames shave 1.4 years off their average age, moving to 26.3.

This number would move into the league's top ten youngest clubs based on last year's numbers.

Pos

Player

Age

D

T. Lydman

24

D

B. Boughner

31

D

J. Leopold

22

D

R. Regehr

22

D

D. Gauthier

25

D

D. Morris

23

D

P. Buzek

25

F

J. Iginla

24

F

C. Conroy

30

F

R. Petrovicky

25

F

D. McAmmond

28

F

M. Johansson

28

F

C. Kobasew

20

F

C. Clark

26

F

D. Lowry

36

F

S. Nichol

27

F

R. Niedermayer

27

F

M. Savard

24

F

M. Gelinas

31

F

J. Wright

25

F

J. Shantz

28

G

R. Turek

31

G

J. McLennan

31

Average Age:

26.7

Scenario Three: Sweeping Changes

Scenario three represents further cuts to the Flame's existing roster, and more youth added to the every day team.

Like scenario two, Craig Berube, Igor Kravchuk, Mike Vernon and Clarke Wilm have all moved on.

Similarly, Leopold, Gelinas, Kobasew and Johansson have all been added.

Changes to this scenario include the buy out of veteran Dave Lowry, and the waiver wire exit of Jeff Shantz.

Blair Betts and Oleg Saprykin have been added to take their place.

The team's average age drops from 26.3 (scenario two) to 25.4 under this plan.

Can a NHL squad make the playoffs with a club this young?

Pos

Player

Age

D

T. Lydman

24

D

B. Boughner

31

D

J. Leopold

22

D

R. Regehr

22

D

D. Gauthier

25

D

D. Morris

23

D

P. Buzek

25

F

J. Iginla

24

F

C. Conroy

30

F

R. Petrovicky

25

F

D. McAmmond

28

F

M. Johansson

28

F

C. Kobasew

20

F

C. Clark

26

F

O. Saprykin

21

F

S. Nichol

27

F

R. Niedermayer

27

F

M. Savard

24

F

M. Gelinas

31

F

J. Wright

25

F

B. Betts

22

G

R. Turek

31

G

J. McLennan

31

Average Age:

25.7

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