Next up in our 2023 Fantasy Hockey Sleepers series is the Calgary Flames. The Flames are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2022-23 season. They have some sleepers on their roster who will help their chances of turning things around if they have big years. They certainly have the potential to and should be considered for your fantasy drafts because of it. Let’s go over three specific Flames sleepers now.
Calgary Flames Sleepers for 2023-24 Fantasy Hockey
Jonathan Huberdeau
Jonathan Huberdeau struggled immensely during his first season as a Flame, posting 15 goals and 55 points in 79 games. This is not bad offensive production, but it is far too low for a player like Huberdeau. This is especially so when noting that he had a 115-point campaign in 80 games for the Florida Panthers the season before. Although he mightily underperformed in 2022-23, fantasy managers should not kick him to the curb yet.
When playing at his best, Huberdeau is a legitimate star. Now that he is entering his second season with the Flames and playing for a new head coach, it should be enough for him to bounce back. Due to this, once the big stars are off the board, take a shot at Huberdeau. He will be a steal if he gets his production back up.
Yegor Sharangovich
Earlier this offseason, the Calgary Flames acquired Yegor Sharangovich in the Tyler Toffoli trade. Although there has been criticism about the Flames’ return for Toffoli, Sharangovich can silence it with a strong 2023-24 season. The 25-year-old winger is coming off a down season, posting 13 goals and 30 points in 75 games. Perhaps the change of scenery will get things back on track for him.
Sharangovich, 25, is one season removed from a 24-goal and 46-point campaign in 76 games. When noting that he will have a top-six role with the Flames, those totals are reachable for him. In fact, his numbers could be even greater, as he will see plenty of power-play time, too. Due to this, Sharangovich should be in for a big year, and you should consider picking him in the later rounds of your fantasy drafts because of it.
Dustin Wolf
If you want to take a big gamble, consider Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf. The 22-year-old has immense potential and is expected to make the Flames’ roster for the start of the 2023-24 season. The 2019 seventh-round pick was stellar in the AHL this season for the Calgary Wranglers. In 55 appearances, he sported a 42-10-2 record, a .932 SV%, and a 2.09 GAA. He also was great in his debut for the Flames, saving 23 out of 24 shots.
Wolf’s dominance in junior hockey and the AHL shows that he has the tools to be a very good NHL goaltender as soon as this season. Due to this, once you see the NHL’s best goalies taken, don’t be afraid to take a flier on Wolf. If he carries his success over to the NHL, he will have a real chance of being the Flames’ starting goaltender and a complete steal for your fantasy hockey team.
Alas, the Flames have some very good sleepers worth considering for your fantasy hockey draft. We will need to wait and see how well this trio performs for the Flames in 2023-24 from here.
Make sure to check out all of the sleepers and breakouts of the 2023 fantasy hockey season!