The opening of training camp for the 2018-19 season is almost upon us and, aside from a new deal for Noah Hanifin and perhaps some minor moves here and there, it appears that the Calgary Flames are set for the upcoming year.
But just over the horizon looms something that’s definitely impacting the Flames’ decision-making over the next season or two: the addition of the Seattle Grinders (or whatever they’ll end up being called) as the National Hockey League’s 32nd team. It may be a couple seasons away – the current plans for Key Arena’s renovation pegs Seattle’s addition in time for the 2020-21 campaign – but it’s worth thinking about how the upcoming expansion process could impact the Flames.