Commerce acquisition Yegor Sharangovich opened coaching camp on a line with the Flames’ high forwards — Jonathan Huberdeau and Elias Lindholm
Realizing that the winter shall be hectic (and chilly), Yegor Sharangovich and his household already beelined to Banff for a sightseeing tour.
“It’s a extremely lovely spot. So lovely,” he beamed. “We wish to go to Lake Louise subsequent.”
Whereas Sharangovich was awestruck by the views within the Canadian Rockies, his present focus is taking advantage of one other elevated perch.
The 25-year-old from Belarus is auditioning for a spot on the Calgary Flames’ high ahead trio. Throughout Sunday’s exhibition opener towards the Vancouver Canucks, followers have been getting their first glimpse of a line that options Jonathan Huberdeau on the left, Elias Lindholm at centre and Sharangovich on proper wing.
That is an enviable project, and the brand new man in No. 17 is aware of it.
“It’s an enormous alternative to play with these two,” mentioned Sharangovich, acquired when the Flames traded their main scorer, Tyler Toffoli, to the New Jersey Devils in late June. “It’s two actually good gamers, two high gamers. In each follow, you’re simply attempting to be on the identical degree and present your expertise.
“However I believe you simply must be excited about your recreation, simply doing all your stuff. Nothing particular. Should you’re doing all your job effectively, it is going to be good.”
The Flames plan to fiddle with their ahead combos all through coaching camp and the exhibition slate, nevertheless it’s noteworthy that Sharangovich — a flexible left-hander who apparently prefers to work his off-wing — is getting the primary shot as sidekick to Calgary’s two greatest forwards.
The hope is that he’ll present the pass-happy Huberdeau with a reliable triggerman.
The assumption is that he may help Lindholm with a few of the defensive heavy lifting.
At 6-foot-2 and 196 lb., he’ll additionally should be efficient as a forechecker.
Flames coach speaks extremely of Sharangovich
When the Flames balked at Toffoli’s contract calls for and the Devils referred to as to suggest a swap, a part of the attraction of buying Sharangovich is that he has proven flashes in a first-line position. Throughout his three-season stint with the Devils, he put up his greatest numbers when skating alongside rising celebrity Jack Hughes.
Sharangovich notched 24 objectives whereas driving shotgun for Hughes in 2021-22. He mustered simply 13 markers final winter in a decreased position.
“He has a ability set that permits him to play a sooner recreation, and he can actually shoot a puck,” mentioned Flames head coach Ryan Huska of Sharangovich, who has thus far totalled 53 objectives and 106 factors in 205 loggings on the NHL degree. “So after we consider looking for somebody to play with our greatest passer — lots of people say that about Jonathan — and attempt to discover someone who connects with him, we’ve a shooter now that may doubtlessly work to get open and be a menace.
“I believe the best way he thinks the sport, too, is vital for us and it frees Jonathan up a little bit bit. If you watch video on (Sharangovich), he jogs my memory numerous Elias another way. If you watch gamers which can be what we name 200-foot gamers, they all the time seem to be they’re rolling again to be an F-3 excessive. Properly, that’s him loads. And if you speak to individuals in New Jersey, he’s an excellent penalty-killer, as effectively. So he’s just like Elias in numerous methods, and we’re hopeful that mixture will have the ability to discover some chemistry.”
The Flames, firstly, want Huberdeau and Lindholm to click on.
Maybe, Sharangovich will be that complementary piece.
If he turns into a fixture on the primary line, if he’s among the many power-play personnel on the Saddledome, he may not have the ability to mix into the group at any time when he finds time to take his spouse and nine-month-old son on that day journey to Lake Louise.
Because the Flames’ most important summer time pick-up, Sharangovich was trying ahead to introducing himself to the C of Crimson in Sunday’s tune-up towards the Canucks.
“I’m simply actually excited to place this jersey on and go on the ice and play for the Flames,” he mentioned after the morning skate. “It’s already like three-and-a-half months with out video games, perhaps 4 months, and I’m so excited to be again and be enjoying for these followers.”