Checklist: Setting Offseason Development Goals for Players
For the Calgary Flames, the conclusion of the 2023-24 NHL season marks the beginning of the most critical developmental period on the calendar. The offseason is not a vacation from progress; it is the foundation upon which the next campaign is built. For individual players—from emerging talents like Connor Zary to established leaders like Jonathan Huberdeau—this time represents a golden opportunity to address weaknesses, amplify strengths, and return to training camp as a more complete and impactful athlete. A structured, intentional approach is what separates a stagnant summer from a transformative one.
This guide provides a practical, step-by-step checklist for players and the organization to collaboratively set and execute effective offseason development goals. By following this framework, the Flames can ensure every member of the roster is aligned with the team’s trajectory, directly contributing to a more competitive push in the Pacific Division and the Western Conference next fall.
Prerequisites / What You Need
Before diving into goal setting, ensure you have the right materials and mindset. This process requires honesty, specificity, and a commitment to the grind.
Comprehensive Season Review Data: This is your baseline. Gather all available analytics, video breakdowns, and written reports from the Flames’ coaching and performance staff. This includes microstats (zone entries, shot contributions, defensive stick details), macro performance trends, and health/wellness data.
Clear Organizational Mandates: Understanding the direction set by GM Craig Conroy and the stylistic/system demands of head coach Ryan Huska is non-negotiable. Is the focus on faster transitions? More aggressive penalty killing? Better offensive-zone possession? Individual goals must ladder up to team objectives.
Player Buy-In & Self-Awareness: The player must be an active, invested architect of this plan. This requires a clear-eyed self-assessment of their own game, free from ego or defensiveness.
Access to Specialized Resources: Identify the necessary tools and personnel: skills coaches, skating technicians, strength and conditioning experts, nutritionists, and mental performance coaches. The Flames’ development staff, as highlighted in our /flames-player-profiles-development hub, is instrumental in facilitating this access.
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Conduct a Brutally Honest Performance Audit
Begin with a deep, multi-faceted review of the past season. This isn’t about tallying points but understanding the how and why behind performance.
Quantitative Analysis: With your development coach, review key metrics. For a forward like Nazem Kadri, this might be face-off percentages in different zones or on-ice shooting percentage. For Jacob Markström, it could be high-danger save percentage and rebound control stats.
Qualitative Video Review: Break down 10-15 game tapes: 5 of your best, 5 of your worst, and 5 against elite Pacific Division opponents. Note positioning, decision-making speed, and execution under pressure. How did you fare in the pivotal moments of the Battle of Alberta?
Gather 360-Degree Feedback: Solicit structured input from Huska, assistant coaches, trusted veteran teammates, and even the training staff. Ask: “What is the one area I can improve that would most help our team win?”
Step 2: Define 2-3 Specific, High-Impact Focus Areas
Resist the urge to fix everything. Prioritization is key. Based on your audit, select 2-3 areas that will yield the highest return on investment.
Categorize Goals: Frame them within distinct buckets:
Technical/Skill: e.g., “Improve wrist shot release speed and accuracy from the left circle on the power play.”
Physical/Athletic: e.g., “Increase lower-body power and explosive first-step acceleration for more effective forechecking.”
Mental/Tactical: e.g., “Improve pre-face-off reads in the defensive zone to enhance penalty kill positioning.”
Avoid Vague Ambitions: Replace “get stronger” with “increase squat 1RM by 10%” or “improve my skating” with “shave 0.2 seconds off my lap time at the Saddledome.”
Step 3: Establish the S.M.A.R.T. Framework for Each Goal
Transform each focus area into a S.M.A.R.T. goal: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
Example for a Young Forward (e.g., Connor Zary):
Focus Area: Puck protection and strength on the cycle.
S.M.A.R.T. Goal: “Increase functional upper-body strength to maintain possession under pressure. Measured by a 15% increase in ‘battle drill’ success rate in July/August skates, and a target of winning 55% of puck battles along the boards during preseason testing. This is achievable with a dedicated 3x/week strength program and relevant to becoming a top-six fixture. Deadline: Flames training camp 2024.”
Step 4: Build a Detailed, Phased Action Plan
A goal without a plan is a wish. Break your offseason into phases, each with a specific objective.
Phase 1: Recovery & Rebuild (Late May - June): Focus on physical and mental recovery. Address any nagging injuries. Begin foundational strength and mobility work. Light, unstructured skill play to reignite joy.
Phase 2: Development & Intensity (July - Mid-August): The core work phase. Execute your specific skill drills, intensive skating sessions, and peak strength/conditioning blocks. This is where you hire specialized coaches and grind on your S.M.A.R.T. goals.
Phase 3: Integration & Ramp-Up (Late August - Training Camp): Shift to sport-specific, high-tempo training. Join or organize player skates to test improvements in game-like situations. Focus on integrating your new skills into your overall game at pace, preparing for the demands of Huska’s system.
Step 5: Implement Tracking & Accountability Mechanisms
What gets measured gets managed. Create a system to track progress and maintain accountability.
Maintain a Training Log: Document workouts, drill repetitions, weights, times, and subjective notes on energy and focus.
Schedule Regular Check-Ins: Set monthly video calls with your Flames development coach or a designated staff member. Review progress, adjust the plan as needed, and ensure alignment.
Use Technology: Leverage wearable tech for load monitoring, video apps for self-analysis of skill drills, and biometric screening where available.
Step 6: Plan for Contingencies and Mental Development
The perfect offseason doesn’t exist. Prepare for obstacles and include cognitive growth.
Anticipate Setbacks: Plan for minor injuries, fatigue, or plateaus. Have lower-impact “Plan B” workouts or alternative skill drills ready.
Incorporate Mental Skills Training: Dedicate time to visualization, mindfulness, or working with a sports psychologist. Visualizing success at the Scotiabank Saddledome in front of the C of Red can build neural pathways as effectively as physical practice. This holistic approach is as crucial as any physical training, a concept explored in resources like //article/i-am-a-first-year-student-of-a.
Study the Game: Watch film of elite players who excel in your focus areas. Break down shifts, not just highlights.
Pro Tips / Common Mistakes
Pro Tip: Embrace Compound Gains. A 2% improvement in five different areas makes you a 10% better player. Don’t underestimate small, consistent gains across strength, nutrition, sleep, and skill.
Pro Tip: Train with Purpose, Not Just Volume. Two focused, high-intensity hours on the ice are better than four hours of aimless skating. Every drill should have a clear objective tied to a goal.
Common Mistake: Ignoring Energy System Development. The National Hockey League is played at a relentless pace. Your conditioning must be sport-specific—short, explosive bursts with minimal recovery, not just long-distance running.
Common Mistake: Isolating the Offseason from the Team. While the work is individual, the purpose is collective. Regularly communicate your focus and progress with teammates and staff. This builds cohesion and shared accountability before you even hit the ice for camp.
Common Mistake: Neglecting Prospect Synergy. Veterans should be aware of the development paths of top prospects (as tracked in our /top-flames-prospects-to-watch feature). This fosters mentorship and prepares the entire roster for integrated competition in camp.
Checklist Summary
Use this bullet list as your offseason manifesto. Print it. Check it off. Live it.
Perform Self-Audit: Conduct a brutally honest review of your performance, identifying clear patterns of strength and weakness.
Define 2-3 Priority Areas: Select the most impactful technical, physical, and/or mental facets of your game to transform.
Formulate S.M.A.R.T. Goals: Convert each priority into a Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goal.
Create a Phased Action Plan: Map your offseason into Recovery, Development, and Integration phases with specific weekly tasks.
Secure Resources: Line up your skills coaches, trainers, and facilities. Schedule them in advance.
Establish Tracking Systems: Set up a training log, schedule monthly check-ins with Flames staff, and utilize technology.
Incorporate Mental Training: Dedicate time to visualization, film study, and cognitive skill development.
Plan for Contingencies: Have “Plan B” workouts ready for setbacks like fatigue or minor injury.
Communicate & Integrate: Share your goals with teammates and staff, fostering a culture of growth before returning to the Dome.
By systematically following this checklist, every player for the Calgary Flames can ensure their offseason is a period of calculated, purposeful growth. When the puck drops on a new campaign, the results of this work will be evident in faster strides, sharper plays, and a more formidable team ready to compete in the relentless Western Conference*. The journey to next season’s success begins today.
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