Simply put, most Calgary Flames fans know that coming into the 2026/27 season, this is a team that's going to struggle, and with the lack of high-end skill and elite talent, this may be the worst season in franchise history.
With the young talent coming through, there will be plenty for fans to watch, and if they do indeed struggle, the top of the 2027 NHL Draft is full of centres, the one thing that Calgary need to take their rebuild to the next level. It's going to be bad, but in one area, the Flames may actually be set up for success, as they rank highly on the tired/rested games scale coming into 2026/27.
The Atlantic division has every right to be furious here.
— Panther Pourri: A Florida Hockey Now Podcast (@PantherPourri) July 17, 2026
Montreal: +9
Detroit: +4
TB: Even
BUF: -4
FLA:-5
BOS: -6
OTT: -6
TOR: -6
That's a 15 game swing between MTL at the top and BOS/OTT/TOR at the bottom.
Full credit to @IneffectiveMath for the chart here. https://t.co/3wtwG0sEm0 pic.twitter.com/H8xFlkcQTv
What that graphic shows is that the Flames will play just four games on the second night of a back-to-back this season with a rested opponent, while their opponents will be on the second night of a back-to-back 15 times, 11 of those with the Flames having a day of rest, meaning that if the team do want to take some points throughout the year, there's a clear path to be able to do so.
Clearly, this isn't going to be enough to stop the Flames from completely bottoming out and giving themselves a chance at a top-three pick in the 2027 NHL Draft, but if the team are looking for hope, this rest advantage could add significantly to their win totals throughout the season.
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