Predicting the Calgary Flames Lineup in 2026/27 Following Big Off-Season

Forwards

Last season, the Flames forward group was one of, if not the single worst group in the National Hockey League, and while not many changes are expected, there's a chance they can turn things around. So what will things look like up front?

Line one: Matvei Gridin-Morgan Frost-Matt Coronato

On a contending team, this is a great third line, and if they can all develop, potentially even a solid second line, but for a Flames team that lack elite young talent, this is expected to be their top line heading into 2026/27. They got the chance to prove that late last season, and they showed immense chemistry, with all three players having their best stretch of the season following the trio coming together after the trade deadline.

The goal differential numbers may not be flattering, but for a team that finished 29th in the National Hockey League and dead last in goals scored, the numbers show immense promise, and with a full summer together, this could be a long-term line for Calgary.

They didn't play every game together in this stretch, but given the rather solid production from all three late in the year, this is a no-brainer line to ice for the final opening night of the Scotiabank SaddleDome, and at the very least, they should give fans plenty of excitement.

Line two: Samuel Honzek-Mikael Backlund-Joel Farabee

With the departure of Blake Coleman, Mikael Backlund will now need to find a new linemate, and in Joel Farabee, the Flames believe they have someone that can fill Coleman's two-way, gritty style alongside No. 11. Given what the safety of two veterans like this can mean for their third linemate, the perfect partner here would be Sam Honzek, who began to show immense potential early in the year before another injury derailed the campaign of the former first-round pick.

Like recent years, this could be a rotating cast around the Flames captain, but given the high floor that this trio would be following their production in 2026/27, it could be their most consistent line throughout the year.

While the ceiling of this trio isn't incredibly high, the Flames have significant aspirations for making Honzek a key piece of their middle-six for years to come, playing him alongside this duo could allow him to potentially reach his ceiling in the years to come.

This isn't a team that's hoping to contend next year, but they may still want to ice a somewhat competitive team, and in this trio, they'd find consistent two-way play that would hopefully elevate one of their brightest young players.

Line three: Jonathan Huberdeau-Ryan Strome-Connor Zary

This is perhaps the most intriguing group for the Flames, as it features a Jonathan Huberdeau that is coming off a major surgery, a Ryan Strome who represents a potential trade chip at the deadline and Connor Zary, who has become a very polarizing player in Calgary.

Obviously, this line should all be about maximizing Zary, who has shown immense potential early in his NHL career, but given his injuries and his inconsistent roles in Calgary, he has failed to turn that into production on the scoresheet. Alongside Huberdeau and Strome, Zary could play a great role here on the Flames third line, and if he's given the freedom to go out and play his game, we could finally see that potential.

As a line, the ceiling of this group isn't exactly high, but with the team simply hoping to rehab the value of all three players, putting them together and asking them to go out and prove themselves is a great reason to put them together.

Line four: Yegor Sharangovich-Martin Pospisil-Adam Klapka

The fourth line for Calgary has often been a place for them to hide young, promising talent in recent years, but in putting together this line to begin 2026/27, they have an appropriate fourth line that can play their role perfectly.

The best fit for this line is Adam Klapka, and while they've tried to promote him up the lineup in recent years, 2026/27 is the time to staple him to the fourth line and force him into the chaotic, physical role that suits his size so perfectly. As for Sharangovich, there's a player that can force his way up the lineup if he brings back the finishing that we saw in his first season as a Flame, but if we see more of his form from last season, it's going to be a rough stretch throughout the length of this contract.

Down the middle for this fourth line is Martin Pospisil, who has struggled to stay healthy in recent years, but even when healthy, he has struggled to find the role that fits him best in the NHL. Clearly, that role is aggitator that can get under the skin of the opponents and physically dominate, but we've already

On paper, it's an inconsequential line that the Flames will use to grind and shut down opponents, but with this trio, there's offensive upside as well if the team give them the right time to develop chemistry.

Extra: Maxim Tsyplakov

Maxim Tsyplakov was a player acquired in the Simon Nemec deal, and while he's not someone with a built in reputation entering 2026/27, he's shown plenty of potential after scoring 10 goals and 35 points in his rookie campaign of 2024/25. He's likely to be a trade chip for the Flames, so expect the 27-year-old to get into plenty of games this season, but in their strongest lineup, he isn't going to get a consistent role.

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