Breaking Down the Flames' Offensive Woes: Silver Linings and Red Flags in Calgary
The Calgary Flames have won four of their last five, but don’t let the win column fool you-this team is still in a serious scoring drought. Through 26 games, Calgary is averaging just 2.33 goals per game, dead last in the NHL.
That number isn’t just disappointing-it’s historically bad. In fact, it’s tracking to be the second-worst offensive season in franchise history.
Even with a few bright spots, the overall picture is bleak. The Flames are on pace for some of the most underwhelming individual point totals we’ve seen in recent memory. Let’s take a closer look at what’s working, what’s not, and what it all means for Calgary’s forward group.
The Forward Group: A Costly Struggle
The Flames boast one of the most expensive forward corps in the league, but the production just hasn’t matched the payroll. Here’s how the current 82-game paces stack up for each forward:
- Nazem Kadri: 15 G / 49 A / 64 P
- Jonathan Huberdeau: 15 G / 30 A / 45 P
- Matt Coronato: 25 G / 19 A / 44 P
- Mikael Backlund: 12 G / 31 A / 43 P
- Morgan Frost: 18 G / 25 A / 43 P
- Joel Farabee: 21 G / 18 A / 39 P
- Blake Coleman: 24 G / 9 A / 33 P
- Yegor Sharangovich: 11 G / 14 A / 25 P
- Adam Klapka: 6 G / 9 A / 16 P
- Connor Zary: 7 G / 6 A / 13 P
- Ryan Lomberg: 0 G / 0 A / 3 P
The Good: A Few Bright Spots in a Dim Season
Nazem Kadri Keeps Producing
Even as the offense sputters around him, Kadri continues to deliver. At 35 years old, he’s on pace for 64 points-his third straight season leading the team in scoring.
That kind of consistency, especially on a team struggling to generate offense, adds serious value. Whether the Flames ultimately keep him or look to move him, Kadri’s production is a major asset.
Matt Coronato Rebounds After a Rocky Start
Coronato’s season began on a rough note-healthy scratches and all-but he’s found his footing. He’s now pacing for a career-high 25 goals, which would lead the team.
While his overall point total is slightly down from last year, the goal scoring is a step in the right direction. Given his new contract and the offensive system he’s working in, this kind of bounce-back matters.
Frost and Farabee Find Their Game
After arriving in Calgary via trade, Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee struggled to make an impact late last season. This year, both are trending upward.
Frost is on pace for 43 points-second-best of his career-while Farabee is tracking for 21 goals and 39 points. These aren’t star numbers, but for middle-six forwards, they’re solid contributions.
Blake Coleman Still Has Gas in the Tank
Coleman, another veteran tied to trade rumors, is quietly having one of his better offensive seasons. He’s on pace for 24 goals, which would be the second-highest mark of his career. At 34, he’s proving he can still play a key role, and that kind of production could make him a valuable piece for a contender down the stretch.
Mikael Backlund: Still Reliable at 36
Backlund continues to be a steady presence in Calgary’s lineup. He’s on pace for 43 points-his best total since 2022-23-and his 31 projected assists would tie the second-highest mark of his career. Add in his strong defensive metrics, and it’s clear Backlund remains one of the team’s most dependable forwards.
The Bad: Depth Falling Short
Adam Klapka’s Opportunity Slipping Away
Klapka started the season with a chance to make a real impact, even getting looks on the top line. But the production hasn’t followed.
He’s pacing for just six goals and 16 points, down from a 26-point pace last year. At 25, and with increased opportunity, this regression is tough to ignore.
Right now, he looks more like a fringe fourth-liner than a long-term piece.
Ryan Lomberg’s Vanishing Act
Expectations for Lomberg weren’t sky-high, but even by depth forward standards, his numbers are alarming. Zero goals, three points-that’s his full-season pace.
To put it in perspective, 17 goalies currently have as many points as Lomberg. He’s played 24 games.
That’s not a typo.
The Ugly: Concerning Downturns in Key Players
Connor Zary: A Disappointing Follow-Up
After a contract holdout, Zary’s season has been a struggle from the start. He’s pacing for just 13 points-less than half of what he managed last season, even with injuries factored in.
For a player on a prove-it deal, this is not the kind of campaign the Flames were hoping for. The offensive spark he once showed has all but disappeared.
Yegor Sharangovich: Trending the Wrong Way
Sharangovich is entering the first year of a five-year extension, and the early returns are troubling. He’s on pace for 11 goals and 25 points-numbers you might accept from a bottom-six grinder, not someone making close to $6 million annually.
After a down year in 2024-25, this season was supposed to be a bounce-back. Instead, it’s trending toward a long-term cap headache.
Final Thoughts: A Team in Need of Answers
While a few individual performances stand out, the Flames’ offense as a whole is stuck in neutral. Scoring remains a major issue, and unless something shifts-either in system, personnel, or both-this could go down as one of the most offensively challenged seasons in franchise history.
There are pieces here worth building around or flipping for assets, but the bigger picture is clear: for a team with this much money invested up front, the results simply aren’t good enough.