The Calgary Flames entered 2025/26 with no hopes of a Stanley Cup Playoffs appearance, and after finishing 29th overall, it may be a few years yet until we see meaningful games in April, May and even June for the Flames.
That doesn't mean there's nothing to watch for in the post-season, as former Flames like Mark Jankowski, Nazem Kadri, Brett Kulak, Noah Hanifin and Rasmus Andersson are all chasing the Stanley Cup once again in 2026. There's something else on the line for the Flames, and as a result, the question needs to be asked, should Flames fans be cheering for the division rival Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup in 2026?
Why should Flames fans cheer for Vegas?
The reasoning behind this is two-fold, with the first being mentioned above, as two former beloved Calgary Flames lead the Golden Knights on the blue line, with Andersson and Hanifin playing a key role for this team in the post-season thus far. Sure, some fans may not like the way that Hanifin especially left the team, but given what both gave to Calgary over the years, it would be reasonable if people wanted to see both lift the Stanley Cup.
Then, there's the most important reason, the return in the Andersson trade, which will change significantly if the Golden Knights are to hoist their second Stanley Cup in franchise history in the coming weeks. Right now, the return for Andersson is Zach Whitecloud, Abram Wiebe, a 2027 first-round pick, and a conditional second-round pick in 2028.
The Rasmus Andersson trade return is looking like another home run for Craig Conroy
— FlamesNation (@FlamesNation) March 1, 2026
Presented By | Vena Nova Diamonds pic.twitter.com/XK8bq8Cmw4
The conditions on that pick are what would change if they won the Cup this season, with the Golden Knights 2028 second becoming a first-round pick if that were to happen, meaning that the Flames would have not one, not two but three straight firsts coming from Vegas. Sure, it will likely be a pick late in the first given how successful Vegas have been early in their franchise's history, but comparing a pick in the late 50's, early 60's to one potentially in the 20's could make the world of difference.
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