Calgary Flames preview: Last in Pacific

2013-14 results: 35-40-7, sixth in Pacific

Story line: Flames have high hopes for young centers

Arrivals: G Jonas Hiller, LW Mason Raymond, RW Devin Setoguchi, D Deryk Engelland (free agents)

Departures: C Michael Cammalleri (signed with New Jersey Devils), LW T.J. Galiardi (signed with Winnipeg Jets), D Chris Butler (signed with St. Louis Blues), G Joey MacDonald (signed with Montreal Canadiens), F Kevin Westgarth

Goaltending: Hiller (29-13-7, 2.48, .911) was signed to help lower the team's 24th-ranked goals-against average. Karri Ramo (17-15-4, 2.65, .911) will be his backup.

Analysis: While no one paid attention, the Flames went 13-10-0 over the final two months. This team is rebuilding but is no walkover. Mark Giordano is a Norris Trophy-caliber defenseman. The goaltending should be better. LW Curtis Glenncross had 24 points in 38 games.. C Jiri Hudler has been effective. C Sean Monahan had a strong rookie season. Feisty C Sam Bennett, the team's 2014 first-round pick, will get a chance to make the team. He has been compared to Doug Gilmour. Coach Bob Hartley has done a good job of keeping the team churning forward.

Breakthrough candidate: By the second half, C Mikael Backlund, 25, was playing the way the Flames hoped when they drafted him. He had 18 goals last season and could net 20 to 25 this season. The hope is his point total might inch closer to 50 points.

Youngster to watch: Rookie LW Johnny Gaudreau could be a poor man's Paul Kariya. He's a smallish, dynamic winger who darts into the seams of the defense and threads shots into the corners of the net. "Johnny Hockey" averaged two points a game last season for Boston College.

What the team really needs: At least two more scoring wingers. Monahan is the only returner who had 20 goals last season. Last season, the Flames were 23rd in scoring, 24th on the power play and 28th in shots on goal.

Key question: Will LW Sven Baertschi step up? The 2011 first-round pick hasn't developed as quickly as hoped but is 21 and should be ready to contribute.

Forecast: The Flames might end up in no-man's land: not playing well enough to earn a playoff spot or poorly enough to land one of the top two draft picks.

Top returning leaders

Goals: Sean Monahan, 22

Assists: Jiri Hudler, 37

Points: Hudler, 54

Plus-minus: Mark Giordano, +12

Penalty minutes: Brian McGrattan, 100

Shots: Giordano, 180