Eric Francis
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Sr columnist/analyst w Sportsnet. Formerly w HNIC, JACK FM & Post Media. Dad, husband, author, KidSport’s OG Ambassador, Pizza Pigout founder.
Articles by Eric Francis
Q and A with Devin Cooley: Flames goaltender talks latest viral moment
CALGARY — Two sleeps after going viral with his post-game theory on the merits of shutting off his brain, Devin Cooley has had to shut off his phone as well. The Flames netminder said the response to his wildly entertaining verbal dissertation on his ‘conscious and unconscious brain’ has been more overwhelming than an Avalanche power play, prompting him to shield himself from the predictable response.
Flames' youngsters offer glimpse of brighter future in upset of Hurricanes
CALGARY – In a media world where in-depth coverage is too often trumped by quirky sound bites, the takeaway from the Calgary Flames’ shocking win over the defending champion Carolina Hurricanes will be marked by Devin Cooley’s post-game exploration of his two brains. It’s a doozy, as was his 34-save performance in a 3-2 win that saw him aided by the post four times.
Ducks' rebuild provides blueprint for Flames to follow
ANAHEIM – Five years. That was the timeline Pat Verbeek had in mind shortly after he took the wheel in Anaheim, a franchise that needed to tear things down before it could dream of building something special again. The goal wasn't to win a Stanley Cup in five years. It wasn't even to guarantee a playoff spot. It was to become a team that could start contending for a sprinkling of spring hockey.
Flames alum Rasmus Andersson preaches patience amid rebuild
LAS VEGAS — Rasmus Andersson knows what Calgary Flames fans are going through right now. He spent nine years with the organization, arriving as a 21-year-old and leaving as a 29-year-old. He built a family in Calgary and experienced the highs and lows of playing in a market where hockey means an awful lot to people. So when he sees his former team struggling through the earliest stages of a rebuild, he understands the frustration. He also knows there's a bigger picture at play.
Flames' Klapka just might be NHL's nicest tough guy. He's learning to be mean
LAS VEGAS — The world-class smile stretching across Adam Klapka’s face looks like that of a man who has just been told the team bus is stopping for ice cream. It almost never disappears, which is just a small part of why the Calgary Flames winger is the nicest six-foot-eight, 235-pound man you’re ever likely to meet. However, one of the keys to his longevity in the NHL revolves around knowing when to ditch his charm to make somebody regret wandering into his postal code.
'Winning is fun': Flames use strong finish to secure first victory
ANAHEIM – There won’t be a whole lot of wins for the Calgary Flames this season that feel as good as this one. Fact is, there won’t be a whole lot of wins. But the fact that the first triumph of the season took six games and a whole lot of heartache to get to made Tuesday’s win near Disneyland feel like they were indeed in the Happiest Place on Earth. Four goals. Two points. A post-game flight to Vegas that suddenly had a reason to get loud.
Suniev's first goal a reminder of what Flames' rebuilding season is about
CALGARY — It’s the little victories Calgary Flames fans will have to embrace. On Saturday night there were plenty of them. Despite moving to 0-5 for the first time in Flames history to open a season, the takeaway in town will be Aydar Suniev’s first NHL goal, a sharp-angled finish that marked the second-straight game Flames fans had a memory to cling to.
Winless Flames find silver lining with Castagna's debut
CALGARY — Jonathan Castagna has a nickname, a souvenir puck and an NHL assist to his name after one game in the big leagues. He also has a pretty good story about the first penalty he took. Welcome to the NHL, George. Yes, George. As in George Costanza, the neurotic Seinfeld character. Apparently, the 21-year-old Calgary Flames centre has never watched the show, which made the nickname even funnier to his new teammates. “We call him George — you can probably understand why,” chuckled coach Ryan Huska.
How newfound stability is helping Flames' Wolf keep perspective
CALGARY — Twelve goals in two games. That’s Dustin Wolf’s ugly introduction to a season that was supposed to be about taking another step forward. Six goals in each of his first two games is hardly the start anyone envisioned for the Calgary Flames’ $52.5-million man, particularly with the start of his seven-year contract now making every soft goal, bad bounce and ugly number that much more scrutinized. Wolf isn’t hiding from any of it.
'Should feel a little uneasy': Zary demotion sends message to Flames
CALGARY — In the end, it proved to be an exercise in message-sending. Connor Zary needs to be better and do things differently. Now that he’s cleared waivers, he’ll get that chance in the AHL with the Wranglers. But if you think Craig Conroy’s decision to expose the 25-year-old first-rounder on waivers Monday was just about Zary, you’re wrong.
What's next for Flames' Connor Zary after being placed on waivers
CALGARY – Is Connor Zary about to be the next Sam Bennett, or the next Greg Nemisz? Is the decision to place the 25-year-old Calgary Flames forward on waivers on Monday the beginning of the end of his NHL career, or is it simply a new beginning elsewhere? Does another team see the merits of taking a chance on a middle-aged, middle-six forward with low production and a salary of $3.77 million over the next two seasons?
Flames' disconnected play sets painful tone for first year of rebuild
SEATTLE – It’s easy to take potshots, pointing out Igor Shesterkin’s offensive output matched that of the Calgary Flames until Morgan Frost scored late Sunday. A goal and an assist for the Rangers goalie so far this season, three goals for the Flames. Fact is, no one should be surprised the Flames have just one goal in each of their three losses, as scoring was always destined to be the Flames' biggest issue this season. They finished last in goals last season.
Overturned call turns tide as Flames squander lead against Canucks
VANCOUVER — Devin Cooley got a new juggling instructor this summer, as well as some linear algebra textbooks so he could do math problems for fun. What he really could have used was a new glove, with dark webbing in it. It might have helped him and his Calgary Flames salvage their first point or two Saturday night.
'It's embarrassing': Flames fail to rise to occasion in opening-night letdown
CALGARY – The fear, understandably, is that the Calgary Flames just set the tone for what a tear-it-down rebuild can look like. It’s a fair concern. Sure, plenty were prepared for multi-goal blowouts, rookie mistakes and losses in bunches. But the failure to rise to an occasion marked by a stirring pre-game celebration of the Dome they’ll depart in six months is a troubling sign.
Rebuilding Flames still to feature plenty of feel-good stories
CALGARY — Zayne Parekh will be in the lineup when the Calgary Flames' season opens Thursday, marking a vastly different scenario than the one a year earlier when he was a healthy scratch. Unlike last season, when the highly touted first-rounder was sheltered following a poor pre-season, Parekh enters this season as the player fans and management are most excited to see.
How Flames analyst Kevin Sawyer sparked the nastiest night in Saddledome history
CALGARY — The Ugly Duckling. That’s what the front-page headline screamed under Kevin Sawyer’s mugshot the morning after one of the strangest, nastiest and most memorable nights ever staged inside the Saddledome. Sawyer was public enemy No. 1 after he and his Anaheim Mighty Ducks had spent the previous evening helping turn an ordinary Calgary Flames loss into an NHL demolition derby still talked about today. Twenty-five years later, there’s a delightful twist to the story. He’s back in town.
Flames prioritize patience by leaving Suniev off opening roster
CALGARY — Aydar Suniev will be a Calgary Flame in the very near future. His team-leading four pre-season goals essentially cemented that. But he won’t start with the big club. Suniev was the most notable name to be left off the 23-man opening night roster the Flames had to submit to the league Monday afternoon. It’s not because he didn’t do enough to prove his world-class shot eventually belongs alongside the world’s best players.
Flames' Huska looking for team to turn hard work into offensive growth
CALGARY – The one thing you could count on from the Calgary Flames the last handful of years was a healthy work ethic. Win or lose, they weren’t often out-competed. But the way Ryan Huska sees it, their dedication, perseverance and industriousness is no longer enough. “We're at the point now where I think our team has an identity,” said Huska of his crew’s workmanlike approach. “But now we’ve got to build on the foundation that we've been able to create. We have to become more of a complete team.
'You’ve got to produce': Flames' Connor Zary knows the score on his role
CALGARY — Connor Zary knows the clock is ticking, and he’s ready to rewrite the script. After bursting onto the scene as an electrifying call-up three seasons ago, the skilled Calgary Flames winger has seen his offensive momentum stall out. Beset by injuries and a lingering lack of production, the 2020 first-round pick finds himself at a career crossroads. And he’s the first one to point it out.
Flames' Huska asking plenty of Joel Farabee this season
CALGARY – Ask Ryan Huska what he expects from Joel Farabee this season and the answer is, well, exhausting. “I expect a lot,” said Ryan Huska, before launching into the laundry list of roles the 26-year-old winger will be saddled with. “He’s a penalty killer, he's a power play guy, he can play on our top line, he can be on a checking line… Joel's kind of going to be all over the place, and I think over the last year and a bit we've learned to trust him in a lot of different situations.
Flames Takeaways: Parekh looks ready to be offensive difference-maker
CALGARY – As hesitant as hockey fans are to pay money for pre-season hockey, Calgary Flames fans got their money’s worth Tuesday with Zayne Parekh proving to be worth the price of admission. Whirling, twirling, dishing and dashing, this is the Parekh Dome dwellers hoped they’d see when the Flames drafted him ninth overall two summers back.
Six notable performances in Flames' pre-season opener
CALGARY — There aren’t many better ways to serve notice you feel ready for an NHL roster spot than by scoring twice and ringing a beauty off the post. Aydar Suniev took a big step towards showing he may soon be capable of helping fill the team’s scoring void with a pair of pre-season finishes Sunday night that had the 20-year-old Russian grinning.
Flames camp notebook: Nemec, Parekh continue to jockey for power-play position
CALGARY — Simon Nemec came to Calgary with hopes he’d run the Flames’ power play. On Friday, he got his wish. For now. OK, so it was Day 2 of camp, and the battle between him and Zayne Parekh to quarterback the top unit is one that may very well be hotly contested for the next handful of years. But, for openers, the 22-year-old got the nod when he was trotted out alongside Morgan Frost, Joel Farabee, Matvei Gridin and Matt Coronato at practice Friday.
Flames' Parekh 'confident' off-season work will set up success
CALGARY – Zayne Parekh’s summer assignment was simple. Get stronger. So, the 20-year-old defenceman turned to former Flame Gary Roberts to push the issue. “I think I'm like close to 191 pounds right now, so I had a really good off-season,” said the six-foot defenceman, who is listed at 179 pounds in the NHL’s official bio. “Working out with Gary Roberts was a big adjustment this summer.
Flames’ newest ‘beauty’ Jake Middleton brings a blue-collar edge
CALGARY – Ask anyone about Jake Middleton and the word “beauty” often follows. Whether it’s a reference to his moustache, his personality, or his perspective on how he entered the NHL, it’s apropos. Asked about the painful exercise of being selected last in the 2014 draft, the newest member of the Flames smiled.
Flames training camp preview: Incoming arena, roster reset bring fresh vibe
CALGARY — Expectations in the marketplace are low, but excitement is sky high in Calgary where the Flames fan base is jacked up about a new arena and the first full rebuild in club history. As a crowd of 9,000 for Monday’s prospects game can attest, the locals are focused on the next generation of Flames who will be pillars of the franchise as it moves across the street to Scotia Place.
Prospect game takeaways: Flames' Mace'o Phillips steals the show Original
CALGARY – Absolute specimen. That’s how Flames director of player development, Ray Edwards, described Mace’o Phillips mere hours before the young defenceman used his 6-foot-6, 230-pound frame to steal the show. Down 1-0, late in the first period of Monday’s NextGen prospects game against the Oilers, Phillips adeptly recognized Weston Cameron was being a little too reckless with his 6-foot-4 body, and called on the visitor to fight.
'It's behind me': Flames' Nemec looking forward to fresh start
CALGARY — Simon Nemec arrived in Calgary two weeks ago, found a place to live with his fiancée, and promptly began the next chapter of a hockey life he is determined not to spend much time looking backward on. The former No. 2 overall pick has landed with the Flames carrying the kind of expectations that come with a significant summer acquisition, and the opportunity he believes he is ready for: More ice. More responsibility.
Excitement in Flames' rebuild growing as new arena reaches milestone
CALGARY — On time and on budget, the billion-dollar building that represents so much of the hope and excitement surrounding the Calgary Flames organization will play host to a stirring milestone on Monday. That's the day the final beam goes into the roof of Scotia Place, officially making it roof tight — a phrase that means little to the average fan, but everything to the 900-plus workers who've been living inside that steel skeleton for the better part of two years.
Flames notebook: GM Craig Conroy clarifies Huberdeau's status Original
CALGARY – Jonathan Huberdeau will not open training camp with the Calgary Flames. But Craig Conroy wants to set the record straight on why. Three days after causing a bit of a stir by telling QR770 host Jock Wilson that the veteran winger “had a little bit of a setback, maybe two weeks ago, with his skating," the Flames GM wants to clarify. “It was a poor choice of words on my part,” Conroy told Sportsnet.ca. “It's not that there was a setback.
Peter Maher was voice of Calgary, not just Flames
CALGARY – There are broadcasters you remember for the calls. And then there are broadcasters you remember for the way they made you feel. Peter Maher was both. On the radio, he had the ability to make you feel like you were watching the game. In person, he could make you feel like a million bucks.
Flames bring in character, leadership by acquiring Middleton in Coleman trade
CALGARY – The first reaction was predictable. That's it? A fan favourite, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, one of the most respected leaders in the dressing room, and the return is a second-, third- and fourth-round pick, plus a defenceman most casual Calgary Flames fans couldn't pick out of a lineup? It's easy to understand the initial disappointment that greeted Thursday's trade that sent Blake Coleman and Olli Maatta to Minnesota for Jake Middleton.
Flames Notebook: Conroy's summer plans don't include free agency
CALGARY — Craig Conroy and his front office will get a chance to spend Canada Day the right way — by celebrating our nation’s birthday. While other GMs work the phones, picking away at the few impact players left on the pricey open market, the Calgary Flames’ brass will be down at WinSport, watching their latest draft picks on display at development camp. They will not be dipping into the world of free agency.
Flames surprise pick Joe Iginla prepared to prove haters wrong
CALGARY – Joe Iginla’s smile widened when asked about the reaction from his proud papa. “The first thing he said was that he had nothing to do with it,” beamed Joe Iginla from his family home outside Kelowna, recounting the first words from Jarome after news broke the Flames selected the personable teen 65th overall Saturday. “That was nice, because obviously people have stuff to say, like ‘your dad's part of the Flames,’ or ‘he played there.’ But he said that he had nothing to do with it.
Cattle farmer Carson Carels a perfect fit for Flames
CALGARY — There may not be a better fit in this entire NHL Draft than the one the Calgary Flames made Friday night. A genuine cowboy is coming to Cowboy Country. As the city that throws the world's biggest celebration of western heritage every July prepared to welcome its newest first-round pick, Carson Carels wasn't slipping on a tailored suit or working a red carpet. He was wearing a striped farmer's shirt, jeans, cowboy boots and a belt buckle big enough to eat supper off of.
Flames 2026 NHL Draft preview: Expect more wheeling and dealing
CALGARY — It has been apparent for months that the Calgary Flames will wield their significant draft capital to make a big splash at this year’s NHL Draft. On Tuesday, GM Craig Conroy provided the first glimpse of exactly how aggressive he’s prepared to be. By shipping two conditional first-round picks and a second-rounder as part of a six-piece deal to acquire Simon Nemec, the Flames landed the sort of young cornerstone defenceman organizations spend years trying to draft and develop.
Flames cash in on unique opportunity by trading for Simon Nemec Original
CALGARY — Playing in a celebrity soccer game last week with fellow Slovaks Martin Pospisil and Sam Honzek, little did Simon Nemec know he’d soon be one of their Calgary Flames teammates. But following four frustrating seasons in New Jersey where the 22-year-old defenceman was brought along much slower than he wanted, Nemec will finally get the opportunity to join them in Calgary to demonstrate why he was the second-overall pick in the 2022 draft.
Q and A with GM Craig Conroy: How Flames are looking to leverage assets Original
CALGARY — The Calgary Flames enter this week's NHL Draft with more draft capital than the franchise has ever had, and general manager Craig Conroy is determined to leverage every option available. Holding 11 selections, including sixth overall and eight in the top 68, the Flames are positioned to be among the draft's most active teams.
'Not hoisting that without him': Hurricanes' Staal did it all in Cup run Original
LAS VEGAS — Jordan Staal sat at the podium Sunday night, squeezed between his three young kids and the Conn Smythe Trophy. Dad’s smile and the silvery hardware made for a delightful scene. But it was the oldest of the two little blonde girls in the championship hats who stole the show. As Staal rose from the podium in full gear, ready to rejoin the Stanley Cup celebration unfolding in the dressing room, 11-year-old Abigail raised her hand and grabbed the microphone.
Stanley Cup Final notebook: Original misfit Reilly Smith could help save Golden Knights' season
LAS VEGAS — If you thought John Tortorella would show up at Sunday morning’s availability to reveal his replacement for the injured William Karlsson, you probably still think the magician saws the assistant in half. However, when Brayden McNabb was asked about the possibility that it’s Reilly Smith, an original misfit in Vegas alongside Karlsson, his answer seemed to point to his return for Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final (Sportsnet, Sportsnet+, 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT).
Golden Knights stick with Hart with season on line
LAS VEGAS — John Tortorella rarely feels the need to explain himself or his decisions. And in this case, he didn’t have to. There will be no change in net Sunday, as the Golden Knights stick with Carter Hart in a game they must win to prevent Carolina from hoisting the Stanley Cup. However, this time the coach decided to give several reasons. "Because I know him," he offered up Saturday.
Tortorella trusts Golden Knights to learn from mistakes, bounce back in Game 6
LAS VEGAS — If this Stanley Cup Final has taught us anything, it’s that no lead is safe, no momentum lasts forever, and no amount of video review can prevent athletes from doing something completely irrational when the pressure reaches its boiling point. Sound familiar? It should. As the hockey world watches a Final that has swung wildly from game to game, the NBA has been delivering its own version of chaos, highlighted by the Knicks’ jaw-dropping 29-point comeback in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
Tortorella projects confidence as Golden Knights face elimination: 'We'll be back here'
RALEIGH, N.C. — Tearing a page out of Mark Messier’s playbook, John Tortorella made a bold proclamation after a Game 5 loss Thursday put his team on the brink of Stanley Cup elimination. “We'll be back here,” said the Golden Knights coach, essentially guaranteeing his team will win Game 6 Sunday in Vegas (Sportsnet, Sportsnet+ at 8 p.m. ET). “We're just going to do it in a different order. “I'm gonna leave my clothes here, that's for sure. They'll be in the hotel.” The bravado was admirable.
Stanley Cup Final notebook: Focus on defence amid scoring surge, comebacks galore
RALEIGH, N.C. — Taylor Hall had a prediction on what will ultimately be the difference in a series in which the his Carolina Hurricanes and the Vegas Golden Knights have combined for 33 goals — the second-highest goal total the Stanley Cup Final has ever seen through four games.
Golden Knights' top line needs to start driving the bus to catch up to Hurricanes Original
RALEIGH, N.C. — Asked if he needs more from his top line, Vegas Golden Knights coach John Tortorella’s post-game response was telling. “What’s my first line?” As deep as his Golden Knights are, there was no need for clarification. Everyone in the building knew the question was about Jack Eichel’s trio, whether it featured Pavel Dorofeyev or the newly assembled combination with Mark Stone and Ivan Barbashev.
Golden Knights let Game 4 slip away with 'frustrating' giveaway
LAS VEGAS — Standing between the benches, with a perfect view of the carnage that had just unfolded, ESPN analyst Ray Ferraro summed up the scene brilliantly. “It looks like a Vegas team picture in the corner,” he said as the only other sound in T-Mobile Arena involved the hollers from Carolina’s jubilant bench.
Stanley Cup Final notebook: Hurricanes respond well when adversity strikes
LAS VEGAS — We’ve seen it both within games and within series all post-season long. When the Hurricanes suffer what appears to be a devastating blow, they counter back. No better example than Saturday’s third-period rally from a 4-0 deficit after two periods to force overtime against the Golden Knights in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. Every time Carolina has lost in these playoffs, the Hurricanes have turned around and swiped the next one.
Golden Knights embrace spotlight as Cup Final chaos captivates Vegas
LAS VEGAS – The first thing you noticed wasn’t the heat. It wasn’t even the buzz. It was the line. Hundreds of people carrying jerseys, kids, coffees and the kind of giddy anticipation usually reserved for a headliner on the Strip, lined up through the sprawling lobby of City National Arena and out the front doors. A DJ blasted music into the desert morning, giving the whole thing the feel of a block party rather than a Monday practice. And here’s the kicker: none of them were getting in.
Brayden McNabb’s gutsy return inspires Golden Knights teammates
LAS VEGAS – In a double‑overtime thriller that will be replayed for years, Brayden McNabb didn’t just return to the lineup Saturday. He lifted it. Inspired it. Wearing a full cage that did well to protect the 30 stitches he had on his nose two nights earlier, the man last seen racing towards the dressing room after a horrifying shot block in Game 2 stood on the blue line ready for Game 3 action.
Marner dominates as Golden Knights, Hurricanes rewrite record books in Game 3
VEGAS — Mitch Marner didn’t just take over Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, he hijacked it, rewrote a slice of hockey history, and delivered a six‑minute scoring binge so outrageous it will be talked about in Vegas bars and Toronto therapy sessions for decades. And yet, even after Shea Theodore banked in the double‑overtime winner off the end boards to give Vegas a 5–4 win, and a 2–1 series lead, the debate inside T‑Mobile Arena lingered.
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