What’s Going on in Calgary? The Flames Are Stuck in Neutral, and the Fans Know It
It’s been a long, quiet winter in Calgary, and not just because of the snow. The Flames are trudging through a season that feels like it’s going nowhere fast.
There’s little energy in the Saddledome, and the situation doesn’t improve when the team hits the road. At this point, the Flames look like a team fully leaning into a rebuild - or at least, they should be.
The recent trade of Rasmus Andersson to Vegas might be the first domino to fall in what could become a full-scale teardown. And honestly, that’s what fans are hoping for.
Let’s dive into what’s been dragging this team down and why so many are calling this the most uninspired Flames season in recent memory.
Star Power? Not So Much.
When you look at the Flames’ roster, it’s hard to pinpoint a true game-breaker. Nazem Kadri is the closest thing Calgary has to a marquee name right now, and while he’s been productive - 37 points in 55 games - he’s also been swirling in trade rumors. If Kadri’s on the move, that leaves a massive void in terms of veteran leadership and offensive punch.
Then there’s Dustin Wolf, the young netminder who’s been thrown into the fire this season. His numbers aren’t great - sub-.900 save percentage - but context is everything.
He’s often left out to dry behind a team that struggles to generate consistent offense or lock things down defensively. It’s a tough ask for any goalie, let alone one still finding his footing in the NHL.
The real disappointment, though, has come from players expected to be major contributors. Jonathan Huberdeau’s season has been derailed by both underperformance and injury.
He’s set to finish with just 25 points and will miss the rest of the season after undergoing hip surgery. That’s a tough blow for a player who was once seen as a cornerstone of the franchise’s future.
Yegor Sharangovich is another case of unmet expectations. After a breakout season that saw him pot 31 goals and 59 points, the Flames rewarded him with a five-year, $28.75 million deal.
But this season? Just 20 points in 52 games, and he’s been dropped into a bottom-six role.
That’s not what Calgary signed up for.
Young Talent, Limited Ice Time
If the Flames are truly embracing a rebuild, you’d expect to see the next wave of talent getting regular minutes. But so far, that hasn’t been the case.
Top prospects like Zayne Parekh, Hunter Brzustewicz, Matvei Gridin, William Stromgren, and Rory Kerins have barely seen the ice. Combined, they’ve played just 49 games - not nearly enough for a team sitting near the bottom of the standings.
Parekh, the organization’s top prospect, and Brzustewicz, a highly regarded defensive talent, should be logging meaningful minutes. But with a logjam on the blue line, guys like Joel Hanley and Brayden Pachal are taking up spots that could be used to develop the future core.
Up front, Gridin has shown flashes of the kind of raw skill you can’t teach. He’s gotten the most run of the young forwards, and with Huberdeau out, there’s a real opportunity for him to earn a full-time role.
Stromgren and Kerins, meanwhile, are still waiting for their chance. Both could be effective third-liners, but veterans like Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman are still eating up those minutes.
That could change soon - Coleman is a trade candidate after the Olympic break, which could finally open up some space.
Rivalries? Not Anymore.
One of the things that makes hockey great is the emotion that comes with rivalries. But right now, the Flames don’t really have one.
The Battle of Alberta used to be one of the NHL’s marquee matchups - intense, physical, and meaningful. But with the Oilers chasing a Cup and the Flames stuck in the mud, that fire has fizzled.
The only rivalry that holds any weight right now is with the Vancouver Canucks - and even that’s more about draft positioning than playoff implications. Vancouver currently sits below Calgary in the standings and is dealing with a rash of injuries to key players like Thatcher Demko, Brock Boeser, Marco Rossi, and Zeev Buium.
They’ve also been aggressive in their rebuild, trading away Quinn Hughes and Kiefer Sherwood well before the deadline. That’s the kind of decisiveness Flames fans are hoping to see from their front office - and the Andersson trade might be the first real sign that change is finally coming.
Olympic Break Brings a Brief Distraction
With the NHL season dragging, Flames fans can at least look forward to some Olympic hockey. Martin Pospisil will represent Slovakia, giving Calgary a small presence on the international stage.
Sam Honzek was expected to join him, but his season was cut short after a collision with teammate Mikael Backlund. Former Flame Rasmus Andersson will suit up for Sweden, adding a bit of familiarity for fans tuning in.
The men’s Olympic hockey tournament kicks off this Wednesday, with Pospisil and Team Slovakia facing off against Finland. It’s a welcome distraction for a fanbase that’s had little to cheer about this season.
Where Do the Flames Go From Here?
That’s the big question. The Flames are clearly in transition, but they’ve been slow to fully commit to a rebuild.
The Andersson trade suggests they’re finally ready to start turning the page, but more moves need to follow. Veterans like Kadri and Coleman could be on the move, and the team needs to start giving real ice time to its young talent.
This season may not be fun to watch, but it could be the start of something important. If the Flames play their cards right, they can use this stretch to lay the foundation for a brighter future. But it starts with letting go of the past - and giving the next generation a chance to take center stage.