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By Jordan Laroche

This has been a roller-coaster of an offseason for the Calgary Flames. The team lost two of their cornerstones when Johnny Gaudreau left and Matthew Tkachuk requested a trade, the Flames seemed to be totally lost.

Flames GM Brad Trievling was able to flip the script on the Flames hopes when the team announced they got Jonathan Huberdeau and Mackenzie Weegar in return for Tkachuk. And the team announced later in the summer that they signed the biggest name on the Free Agent market in Nazem Kadri.

Another addition that shouldn’t be overlooked is Kevin Rooney. Rooney spent the last two seasons with the New York Rangers anchoring the fourth line during his tenure.

While his numbers may not jump off the page, he was a crucial part of the Rangers bottom six when they went to the Eastern Conference Final. Rooney averaged just under 14 minutes of ice time per game, often playing the penalty kill and in late-game situations for the Rangers.

Last year, the Flames left the playoffs after a five game series where they never really felt in control. It took a four goal comeback for the Flames to win game one against the Edmonton Oilers, before losing four in a row. The Flames haven’t moved past the second round since 2004, but with a new look this team is poised to do big things.

With these new pieces, the Flames are expected to do big things this year and with the sixth best odds to win the Stanley Cup (+1500) they are going to be a fierce contender out of the West.