The Calgary Flames aim to build on their momentum from last season and push even further to secure a spot in the NHL playoffs. Despite finishing just outside the postseason for the third consecutive year, the Flames closed out the previous season with a strong 15-6-6 record after the 4 Nations Face-Off in February.
Heading into the 2025-26 season, Calgary, with most of its core players intact, looks to not only maintain the 15-point improvement from the previous season but also strive for additional points. Center Nazem Kadri, who led the team in goals and assists last season, emphasized the need to elevate their performance by a few more points.
The Flames kick off their season with challenging back-to-back road games in Edmonton and Vancouver before their home opener against the St. Louis Blues. Defenseman MacKenzie Weegar highlighted the tough start and emphasized that teams will not underestimate them this season, expecting more competitive matchups.
Coach Ryan Huska, now in his third season with the team, has solidified his position with a two-year contract extension. He continues to rely on key players like Mikael Backlund, Blake Coleman, Jonathan Huberdeau, Kadri, and Weegar to foster a culture of hard work and enjoyment on the ice.
Young talents such as forwards Matt Coronato and Connor Zary, defenseman Kevin Bahl, and goaltender Dustin Wolf have all secured multi-year contracts after proving their value to the team. Wolf, in particular, signed a significant extension following his standout performance last season, narrowly missing out on the Calder Memorial Trophy.
With the construction of the new arena at Scotia Place underway, set to open for the 2027-28 NHL season, excitement surrounds the future home of the Flames. General manager Craig Conroy expressed enthusiasm for the state-of-the-art facility, highlighting its potential to attract top talent to the team.
As the Flames gear up for the new season, the focus remains on leveraging their blend of experienced veterans and emerging young stars to compete at a high level and silence any doubts about their ability to succeed.