The Calgary Flames upcoming season could end up being one of the worst in franchise history, but with some exciting players in the NHL as well as the junior level, there's some real excitement building around this franchise.
That excitement won't lead to any results in 2026/27, but that doesn't mean this won't be a useful season in dictating the future of the franchise, and now, with training camp right around the corner, some questions are close to being answered.
So, what exactly should Flames fans be looking for at training camp and into the pre-season? Today, we'll break down five burning questions that the franchise should be looking to answer ahead of the pre-season.
Can any Unexpected Names Make the Roster out of Training Camp?
For now, the Flames starting roster and lines are likely set in stone (we took a look at what it would look like here), but given how the team should be prioritizing the youth moving forward, there are a few names that could crack the roster out of training camp.
Last year, it was Matvei Gridin that forced his way into the lineup out of camp, and after a dominant, All-Star stint in the AHL, he was back into the NHL for good, so the question is, who could force their way into a spot out of training camp? As of right now, there are likely five options, with two of them getting NHL experience last year in LHD Abram Wiebe and C Tyson Gross, and while neither have a guaranteed roster spot, both showed potential and could push for a spot out of training camp.
Beyond that, the team have three intriguing young players in Jonathan Castagna, acquired in the Mackenzie Weegar trade, Andrew Basha, a 2024 second-round draft pick and Axel Hurtig, a former Calgary Hitmen captain, all of whom could make a statement with a strong performance in a shortened camp. Ultimately, all three are likely to remain in the AHL, and could do so for the entirety of the 2026/27 season, but when the youth movement begins in 2027/28, all three are names to keep a close eye on.
Add us as a preferred source on Google