Calgary Flames: Smith’s Health Will Determine Playoff Hopes

Mike Smith‘s health is one of the biggest question marks for the Calgary Flames.

The Calgary Flames enter the 2018-19 season once again needing an aging goaltender to lead the franchise back to the playoffs.

At 36 years old, Mike Smith holds the key to Calgary’s success in a new season after a summer of significant changes. The Flames upgraded their forwards and brought in a new coach. However, the season will depend on Smith’s ability to stay healthy and play at the level he’s shown through his 13-year career.

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A year ago, in his first season in Calgary, the goaltender would often find himself as the club’s best player. Unfortunately, Smith’s efforts wouldn’t always translate to the win column, as he finished with a record of 25-22-6. However, he was also the victim of poor goal support. Throughout the year, he lost 10 games after allowing two goals or less in the contest.

Smith’s first year in Calgary also had a bittersweet ending as he suffered a groin injury on Feb. 11 that kept him out of action for a month. The club lost eight of their next 13 games, as backup goalies Jon Gillies and David Rittich failed to step up in his absence.

Although Smith returned on Mar. 11, he couldn’t help the Flames make a last ditch effort for the playoffs. Calgary lost six of the eight games he played to close out the season, as the goaltender wasn’t able to return to the same level he was at prior to the groin injury.

The Flames hope Smith’s injuries woes are behind him. They enter the 2018-19 season with playoff expectations after a busy summer. Calgary replaced former coach Glen Gulutzan with new coach Bill Peters after he left the Carolina Hurricanes.

Next, the Flames made one of the biggest trades of the offseason with the Hurricanes sending Dougie Hamilton and Michael Ferland to Carolina for Elias Lindholm and Noah Hanifin. The club also signed unrestricted free agent James Neal to a five-year, $28.75 million contract.

Hamilton was never much of a fit in Calgary. Meanwhile, Ferland seemed to be the beneficiary of playing with top players Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau. The addition of Lindholm and Hanifin should provide the Flames with a better offensive forward while still maintaining a strong puck-moving defenseman on the blue line.

Meanwhile, Neal’s addition to the lineup could be a major difference-maker for Smith’s 10 losses despite surrendering two goals or less. Neal’s 25 goals a year ago, including six game-winning goals, were a big reason for the early success of the Vegas Golden Knights. His presence on the powerplay will provide the Flames with another offensive weapon to be paired with Monahan and Gaudreau.

Still, despite all the changes the biggest factors that’ll determine Calgary’s success will be Smith’s play and his health. Coach Peters has already said during preseason the Flames will be monitoring Smith throughout the year, ensuring he’s well rested and the club isn’t relying on him too much to be a major workhorse for the franchise.

Unfortunately, Calgary’s options behind Smith are less than desirable as neither Rittich nor Gillies have shown any indication they can be trusted. As a result, Flames management will have to cross their fingers the club’s 36-year old goaltender can hold up for the duration of the year.