It's officially the worst start to a season for the Flames since the 1997-98 and 2015-16 seasons, both seasons tie for the worst starts in franchise history. Even then the start in those seasons was better than the start in 2025. Through the first nine games of this season, the Flames were 1-7-1 for 3 points. In both 1997 and 2015 they racked up four points through the first nine.
The rumours are already circulating around a couple of star players including Nazem Kadri and Rasmus Andersson, and more could be coming before the deadline. It's already becoming dangerously close to a lost season. The old saying goes "You can't make the playoffs in November, but you can miss them."
Brace for the worst season in franchise history
It's very early to be saying that this will be the worst season in franchise history, but the Flames need to go on a very long win/points streak to even get back into contention at this point. It's something that the Flames organization has had issues with doing in the past. The longest streak of that nature in Flames history occurred in the 1988-89 Stanley Cup winning season with 13 straight games with at least a losers point.
General manager busy making calls
Flames general manager Craig Conroy has been busy lately. He's been making calls including an inquiry on disgruntled Columbus Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakov, as mentioned by Pierre LeBrun in Insider Trading.
The market has heated up in regards to centre's, meaning Nazem Kadri's value has just skyrocketed. It was also pointed out on the 32 Thoughts blog by Elliotte Friedman that Kadri's full no movement clause has changed to a 13 team no trade clause. Making Kadri available for trade, it's unknown if the request was made by the team or the player, but a clear indication of the path forward.
The teams that could be in the mix for Kadri would be Vancouver, Montreal, Los Angeles, Colorado, and Utah. Essentially any team that considers themselves a Stanley Cup contender.
Flames fans brace yourselves, it's going to be a very long season. But the potential of having Beasley announce a certain name in the home opener next season has a certain appeal to it. Gavin McKenna anyone?