After a supremely lackluster start to 2016-17, the Calgary Flames have managed to hang on and climb into a wild-card spot, due in no small part to the changing complexion of their blue line.

For the past three seasons, captain Mark Giordano has reigned as the club's most dangerous offensive defenseman. The veteran has finished among the team's top five scorers in each of the past three campaigns, posting more than 45 points each time.

The only defender to finish above him in that span was Dennis Wideman in 2014-15, doing so in 19 more games after Giordano was forced out of the lineup with a torn bicep in his 61st appearance.

In the past two campaigns, T.J. Brodie was right there with Giordano, topping 40 points in each season as the duo played a key role for a Flames club lacking in secondary scoring options.

Things have changed considerably this time around.

As the Flames head into the home stretch of the season, it's 23-year-old Dougie Hamilton that has been the unequivocal leader in terms of offense from the blue line.

The former Boston Bruin - who found himself embroiled in trade rumors early this season - has racked up seven goals and 32 points through 51 games.

Not only is that sum 10 points higher than Giordano's, and 15 points higher than Brodie's, it's also good for second among all Flames skaters - even a hair above leading duo Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau.

Despite his stellar play, Hamilton is still seeing fewer minutes than his veteran counterparts. Giordano leads the blue-line corps with 23:57 minutes per game, while Brodie ranks second with 23:35.

Both have seen their points-per-game pace cut nearly in half compared to the past few seasons. Meanwhile, Hamilton - who's seeing 19:24 minutes per game - is scoring at a career-best pace, and is on track to finish with 51 points.

Things are certainly changing on the Flames' back end, as Hamilton is quickly becoming the player the club was hoping for when they acquired him prior to last season. Still young, it's only a matter of time before the smooth-skating defender moves up the club's blue line depth chart for good.

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