The Calgary Flames are stuck somewhere in between a retool and contention. They were awfully close to a playoff spot last season, but just couldn’t get the final break to go their way. The season, despite its disappointing ending, was a positive step forward.
However, the Flames’ season was largely the product of Calder Trophy nominee Dustin Wolf emerging as a top-flight goaltender.
That’s something that will need to continue this season. Wolf will need to remain dominant if the Flames are to have a chance at remaining in contention.
But that’s where the issues lie. The Flames have a young crop of players who can lead the team moving forward. Players like Wolf, along with Connor Zary and Matt Coronato, look like solid pieces for the team to build around.
Then, there are the aging veterans who have been the subject of endless trade speculation. This summer has been dominated by talk of Nazem Kadri and Rasmus Andersson heading out the door.
Both are valuable pieces and could fetch solid returns from contending teams. There’s also Jonathan Huberdeau. He’s still a talented player, but one whose contract no one will touch with a ten-foot pole.
MacKenzie Weegar is also another interesting piece that no one is really talking about. But rumors could pick up if contending teams suddenly need blue line help.
So, the elements are there for a successful season in Calgary. But if things fall apart, GM Craig Conroy could pull the plug and sell off as many veterans as he can. That could trigger the Flames to join the race to the bottom and a shot a Gavin McKenna.
Calgary Flames could use more young star power
The Calgary Flames can no longer bet on its veteran core. The need for a youth movement is evident. While Conroy has done a good job retooling the team, the potential for a teardown is also there.
In a July 19 piece in RG Media, Marco D’Amico quoted a source close to the Flames, as stating: "Conroy’s done a great job of drafting and retooling this roster on the fly, but they still lack that star player in their ranks to usher in the next era. There’s some star power at the top of this draft, and I could see him tempted to add to his young core."
The temptation to tank for McKenna, and some of the top-ten picks in the 2026 NHL Draft, could be too much to pass up. If the Flames find themselves well out of a playoff spot by American Thanksgiving, Conroy could pull the trigger on various deals.
One would have to think that Rasmus Andersson and Nazem Kadri could fetch solid returns. Huberdeau is an albatross, but the player to keep an eye on is Weegar. He could be the biggest trade target for Calgary this upcoming season.
Of course, this doomsday scenario depends on the Flames struggling out of the gate. If Dustin Wolf can keep the Flames’ heads above water, and the club is within striking distance of a playoff spot around late November or early December, a selloff could be averted.