The Calgary Flames did not have the best season in 2022-23. After a run to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2021-22, they missed out entirely this past spring. Their big trade for Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar didn't turn in the desired results in year one. Free agent acquisition Nazem Kadri also didn't perform to expectations.

This summer brought a litany of changes for Calgary. The Flames brought in a new head coach and new general manager with the hopes of figuring things out. Calgary had talent on the roster, and they hoped a shift in perspective was all they needed.

Whether the team currently in place is enough to win remains to be seen. However, the Flames do have some interesting players who could be ready to take a step this season. Here are some breakout candidates for Calgary Flames fans to keep their eyes on in 2023-24.

Yegor Sharangovich

Yegor Sharangovich came over this summer through a trade with the New Jersey Devils. He had a bit of a down season in 2022-23, a year removed from a 24-goal 2021-22 season. The Devils decided to upgrade their winger depth, and Sharangovich was the cost of doing so.

With the Flames, the 25-year-old Belarusian forward could find himself in a larger role. So far, he's only averaged a little over 13 minutes a night. However, he is skating hard out there. In fact, he ranks in the 98th percentile of average skating distance covered per 60.

Through six games, the Flames forward has a goal and an assist. If he continues skating hard, opportunities should come his way. And if he returns to his 2021-22 form, Calgary should be tough to beat.

Dillon Dube

Calgary Flames breakout candidate Dillon Dube with fire in his eyes and the Scotiabank Saddledome in the background.

Dillion Dube is entering his sixth season in the NHL, and is coming off his best career season. The 25-year-old scored 18 goals and 45 points while playing a full 82 games a year ago. He also averaged a bit more time on ice in 2022-23, receiving about 15 minutes a night.

The 25-year-old Flames forward has a lot of speed to his game. In fact, he ranks in the 97th percentile in terms of skating speed. He also covers a lot of distance, ranking in the 91st percentile for average distance covered per 60 last year. Furthermore, when he's on the ice, the puck was in Calgary's offensive zone 42.6% of the time.

So far this season, the puck is in the offensive zone 46.2% of the time when Dube is on the ice on even strength. And he is currently on a half-a-point-per-game pace. The 25-year-old has a goal and three points in six games thus far. He's also averaging a little under 15 minutes per game, as well.

If Dube takes more shots and picks his shots better, he could score a few more goals. And if he can keep up his assist totals from last year, the Flames will have themselves a nice group of centers moving forward.

Matthew Coronato

A lot has been said about Matthew Coronato over the last few years. The 20-year-old is one of the team's brightest prospects. He joined the organization in 2021 as the 13th overall pick in the NHL Draft that year. Coronato returned to Harvard for the next two seasons, where he absolutely thrived. In 68 combined games, he scored 38 goals and 72 points.

Now, the New York native has worked his way into the NHL lineup. So far, he has a goal and an assist in six games this season. It's definitely early, but Coronato is skilled enough to make an impact early on. If he can find his stride, Calgary could make a serious push for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.