Ahead of the 2018-19 season, CalgaryFlames.com staff made three predictions for the upcoming campaign. Here are George Johnson's takes on three players:

MONAHAN TOPS 40-GOAL PLATEAU

Goal-scoring consistency has become Sean Monahan's trademark since arriving on the scene as an apple-cheeked kid of 18.

Seasons of 31, 27, 27 and 31 goals, dovetailed into his blossoming collaboration alongside Johnny Gaudreau, have transformed him into one of the most dependable of poachers.

This year he could scale new heights, becoming the first Flame since Jarome Iginla in 2010-2011 to connect for 40.

Back up to speed after undergoing off-season wrist surgery and bolstered by a tremendous pre-season, the sky's the limit for the 23-year-old.

Superb in gaining that extra foot of ice, possessed of a great release and situation-reading instincts, he and compadre Gaudreau will no doubt benefit from a mix-'n-match of Elias Lindholm and James Neal platooning on the right flank of their line.

In addition, given the upgrades in options and personnel, the Flames powerplay unit will be improved over a year ago which won't hurt him any, either.

All of which could translate into a first 40-goal season for No. 23.



MR. SMITH GOES TO 30 WINS …

It's been a while.

You have to trace back eight seasons to find a goaltender who posted 30 wins or more modelling Flames' attire. Fella name of Kiprusoff, who you might just remember.

Says here that Mike Smith will do it this year.

Led by skipper Mark Giordano, the Top 4 D in front of Smith is top-drawer and the 5-6 spots with budding prospects such as Juuso Valimaki and Rasmus Andersson bucking for minutes should be more than dependable, too.

The Flames are determined to limit the wear and tear on their marquee man in the net by giving him practice days off and maximizing game situations, spotting either Jon Gillies or David Rittich when he needs a breather.

A superbly conditioned and ultra-competitive athlete, Smith to reach 30 wins, minimum.



CZARNIK THE SURPRISE PACKAGE

Opportunity can be the greatest motivator imaginable.

Which fits right into the right here, right now, for Austin Czarnik.

The free-agent signing may be small - listed at 5-foot-9 and 160 lbs. - but he possesses that intangible Flames' GM Brad Treliving calls "pop", the ability to transform something productive out of nothing.

While the other summer imports - James Neal, Elias Lindholm, Noah Hanifin, Derek Ryan - arrived with varying degrees of name recognition, Czarnik arrived in relative anonymity.

But that introductory pre-season hat-trick versus the Canucks after the bulk of the big team returned from China certainly made Calgary fans sit up and take notice.

Limited to 59 starts with a strong Boston lineup over his three years since turning pro, this, now, represents a decisive moment in his career. Expect Czarnik to take full advantage.

He'll play up and down the lineup and receive powerplay time, where his elusiveness and offensive instincts can be best put to use.

More than capable of scoring consistently at this level, be sure he'll more than double - maybe even triple - his current NHL stats package of five goals and 12 points.

Opportunity, after all, is knocking.