The Calgary Flames are aiming to build on their strong finish from last season in a bid to secure a spot in the NHL playoffs. Despite ending last season with an impressive 15-6-6 record, the Flames missed out on the post-season for the third consecutive year, falling just short in a tiebreaker for a conference wild-card berth.
With a largely unchanged roster and the infusion of young talent overseen by general manager Craig Conroy, who made key moves last season, the Flames are determined to not only maintain the 15-point improvement from the previous season but also to push further ahead.
Center Nazem Kadri, the team’s top scorer with 35 goals and 32 assists last season, emphasized the need for the Flames to secure additional points to elevate their performance. The upcoming 2025-26 regular season will kick off with two away games in Edmonton and Vancouver before the home opener against the St. Louis Blues.
Defenseman MacKenzie Weegar acknowledged the challenging start to the season, recognizing that teams will not underestimate the Flames this time around. Head coach Ryan Huska, entering his third season with the team, has signed a contract extension, providing stability and continuity.
The Flames will look to veteran players like Mikael Backlund, Blake Coleman, Jonathan Huberdeau, Kadri, and Weegar to maintain a culture of hard work and enjoyment. Huberdeau’s strong performance last season, contributing 62 points, showcased his defensive prowess and offensive capabilities.
The team faces uncertainties regarding the future of defenseman Rasmus Andersson, whose contract is set to expire soon. The Flames have also rewarded promising young talents like forwards Matt Coronato and Connor Zary, defenseman Kevin Bahl, and goaltender Dustin Wolf with multi-year contracts after their impressive contributions.
The Flames are determined to prove skeptics wrong and exceed expectations this season, fueled by a blend of experienced and emerging talent. The new arena under construction, scheduled to open in 2027-28, is seen as a positive development that could enhance the team’s appeal to players and fans, signaling a new era for the organization.
