Welcome to a fresh addition here at DIWIDA |: Five Flames Takes . Following an exploration of the primary subject , Mike will weigh in on five more popular discussion topics involving the Flames and their prospects.
Even though Adam Klapka might not grow much taller physically, he continues to develop as a player with every game that passes.
The large player from the Czech Republic has secured a consistent spot on the Flames' fourth line over recent weeks and appears to be finding his groove, receiving increased playing time and appearing progressively more assured both with and without the puck.
The 24-year-old Klapka has accumulated four points in his past six games and boasts an impressive 68.20 expected goals percentage during five-on-five play within this timeframe, ranking just behind Kevin Rooney (!!) amongst consistent members of the Flames. The improvement seen since Klapka joined the lineup aligns perfectly with a significant shift for the team’s fourth line, transforming it from being mostly a weakness into a strength.
Few players have a growth trajectory akin to Klapka’s, yet he stands as one of the sole 6'8" forwards throughout the NHL's 108-year existence. While his natural talents are clear and remarkable, it has taken considerable time for him to cultivate corresponding skills.
Klapka seems to have been part of the Flames' organization for far more than merely three years. However, he has succeeded in making considerable progress in all of them. After moving up from being among the lowest scorers in the AHL to becoming one of the top six players last year, Klapka has now made it to the major league. His overall performance has significantly improved and is far better than just two months prior.
In his initial appearance with the Flames during the 2023-24 season, Klapka appeared cumbersome and ungainly—a towering figure seemingly ill at ease on the NHL rink. Even when he came back in January following a brief stint in the AHL lasting about two months, he retained an element of unease. However, things have changed; currently, Klapka stands as one of the most reliable choices for the Flames' lower lines. His proficiency with the puck is commendable, and he excels particularly in aggressive offensive playmaking, showcasing unexpected adeptness.
All these qualities and even more shone through during Thursday’s victory over Anaheim, especially when Klapka assisted Kevin Rooney for an impressive goal in the second period.
It remains unclear precisely what lies ahead for Klapka; however, it appears quite probable that he will secure his initial one-way National Hockey League deal this coming summer. At present, the right-wing position numbered 4 looks like it could be firmly within his grasp unless something changes.
Certainly, Klapka is currently exhibiting immense vitality as he aims to secure a permanent position. as we observed with Walker Duehr a couple of seasons back It can be extremely challenging for athletes to maintain 110 percent effort consistently over more than a few weeks.
The main issue with Klapka will be whether he can prevent himself from becoming too complacent after re-signing. Consistency is key when it comes to earnings, particularly for role players.
The takes
1. Klapka has excelled tremendously over the last several weeks, prompting us to wonder: who will be up next? The clear choice is Rory Kerins. , having scored 56 points in 57 games with the Wranglers this season. Over his past two contests, Kerins has managed four goals and five points. Earlier this year, he demonstrated his capabilities during a brief call-up to the Flames, contributing four assists across his initial four NHL matches before seeing limited play time in his fifth match and subsequently returning to the minors. The extent of the Flames' interest in Kerins remains unclear; after all, he played for an ECHL team throughout the 2022-23 campaign and hasn’t even participated in a preseason game with them yet. However, considering his impressive AHL statistics, which cannot easily be dismissed, it seems likely that he will be considered when—if—the Flames fall out of playoff contention.
2. Ever since sitting out the game against the Dallas Stars on March 27, Yegor Sharangovich has recorded one goal, two assists, and even scored in a shootout during his past four matches. His expected goals percentage stands at an impressive 59.67%, making him stand out among all non-Klapka line forwards on the Flames roster. Although he continues to struggle with maintaining consistent speed and accuracy on his signature wrist shot, Sharangovich has become much more visible when competing for pucks and battling along the boards after stepping into Connor Zary’s position alongside Nazem Kadri. This new role seems well-suited for him as he aims to return to form.
3. It's been almost two months since Morgan Frost last found the back of the net, yet he made his presence felt across the rink during Thursday's game against the Ducks and remains a vital center alongside Matt Coronato and Jonathan Huberdeau. Since these three players were paired together, they have dominated their opponents with a 62-to-49 advantage in scoring chances at five-on-five. However, this line has faced challenges due to unfavorable shot and save percentages. Despite enduring persistent issues with converting opportunities into goals, Frost finds himself well-positioned to improve now that he is flanked by two skilled forwards who excel at driving play forward. His breakthrough will happen soon enough.
4. Joel Farabee demonstrates greater potential than what he has showcased since joining Calgary, yet his limited output post-trade remains challenging to overlook. In the game against the Ducks, No. 86 failed to score any points and managed only one shot on target. Since February 1st, he has accumulated merely five points across 24 matches. By contrast, Matt Coronato tallied 12 during this period; Sharangovich secured nine, Frost notched eight, whereas both Rooney and Ryan Lomberg achieved six each. Unlike players such as Blake Coleman—who were occasionally likened to him following his acquisition from Philadelphia—Farabee lacks comparable speed and tenacity when handling the puck. Although his foundational statistics appear solid, these metrics have not yielded tangible success. Might it be prudent to consider substituting Farabee with Aydar Suniev periodically towards season’s end?
5. It's important to mention that with just one more Saginaw Spirit defeat, Zayne Parekh will be practically guaranteed a spot in the Flames' lineup for the last couple of games this season. Parekh has done all he can to elevate an under-performing Saginaw team In these playoffs, it seems they may not make it this time. On Thursday, however, he definitely showcased his potential as a top prospect while setting up Kristian Epperson. the opening goal In the final score, it was a 7-3 victory for Saginaw. Ultimately, Parekh proves to be superior compared to the OHL standards, despite his team’s performance. While Suniev may still require additional support like training wheels, if Parekh joins Calgary soon, expect him to potentially secure a spot in the starting lineup immediately upon arrival. It would truly make sense given his skill level.
Looking for more articles like this? Follow DIWIDA |on MSN to explore additional exclusive NHL content we have to offer.
More must-reads:
- NHL defenseman Cale Makar achieves notable accomplishment as an Avalanche player
- The Bruins are nearing their longest consecutive loss record in team history.
- The 'NBA History: Most Games Started' trivia challenge
Popular slide show: All NHL players who've scored 60 or more goals in one season (Provided by Yardbarker)
