CALGARY – The shock has worn off for the Calgary Flames, but the sting hasn’t.
The top seed in the NHL’s Western Conference was ousted in the first round of playoffs in five games by the eighth-seeded Colorado Avalanche.
The players say they believe the team has the talent and personnel to win a Stanley Cup, but need to figure how to get momentum and keep it in the post-season.
Among the questions the Flames face this summer is whether 37-year-old free-agent goaltender Mike Smith will be re-signed and how much it will cost to keep restricted free agents Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett in the fold.
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Captain Mark Giordano was nominated for the Norris Trophy that goes to the NHL’s top defenceman two days after his team’s elimination.
Giordano says it’s difficult to feel joy about his nomination right now.