5 Calgary Flames Who Need To Improve In 2015

By Shaun Lavery

5 Calgary Flames’ Players Who Need To Improve In 2015

Calgary Flames Injuries 2014-15 — The Calgary Flames may be accused of having an up and down season, by starting the year off well, then recently going on an eight-game losing streak. Their forward rotation has seen many different players due to injuries, and now many of those injured players are starting to return. It’s obvious the Flames have depth in the minors, so here are five players who need to step up in 2015 or risk losing their job to a young gun.

5. Brandon Bollig

Bradon Bollig Calgary Flames 2014-15

5. Brandon Bollig

Bradon Bollig Calgary Flames 2014-15 — Bollig has appeared in 30 games so far this season, and while he is far from a goal scorer, his two assists and zero goals are less than satisfactory. He had seven goals and 14 points with the Chicago Blackhawks last year, while also acquiring 92 penalty minutes. He is a great energy player and is capable of more that two points, so look for him to step it up in the second half of the season.

4. Deryk Engelland

Deryk Engelland Calgary Flames 2014-15

4. Deryk Engelland

Deryk Engelland Calgary Flames 2014-15 — Signed to a rather large contract in the off-season, Engelland was acquired to add defensive depth. Playing anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes a night, Engelland is playing a lesser role than maybe his contract suggests. He only played 56 games last season and amassed 12 points. Through 31 this year, he only has three. He needs to improve quickly for the Flames.

3. David Jones

David Jones Calgary Flames 2014-15

3. David Jones

David Jones Calgary Flames 2014-15 — Jones has had an interesting season to date, as he’s bounced around the forward rotation making appearances on the first line. Through 24 games, he has 10 points and a chance to surpass his career high 45 points from the 2010-11 season with the Colorado Avalanche. The ninth round draft pick from 2003 appears to be capable of battling for a top role, so look for him to step it up in 2015 and really make a push to be a leader for the Flames.

2. Mason Raymond

Mason Raymond Calgary Flames 2014-15

2. Mason Raymond

Mason Raymond Calgary Flames 2014-15 — Raymond, who is one of the recent injury returnees, only has seven points in 19 games played. He is supposed to be a top line player for Calgary, but his lack of offensive production suggests otherwise. While missing substantial time due to injury sets him back a little, he needs to take advantage of his playing time in 2015 and really contribute to a Flames team that needs him to produce.

1. Matt Stajan

Matt Stajan Calgary Flames 2014-15

1. Matt Stajan

Matt Stajan Calgary Flames 2014-15 — In 19 games this year, Stajan has only scored one goal, to go along with four assists. He is another player who missed significant time due to injury, but as a leader of a young Calgary team, five points in 19 games is not going to get the job done. He is the player who most of all needs to have a big second half of the 2014-15 season.

Shaun Lavery is a Calgary Flames writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, or add him to your network on Google.

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