Summer Coolers – Calgary Flames

The Calgary Flames have missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for four consecutive seasons and five of the last six, but with Scotia Place scheduled to open in 2027-28, the pressure is growing to get the franchise moving in the right direction. Calgary made significant changes to its blue line by acquiring Simon Nemec, Maxim Tsyplakov, and Jake Middleton, while young players like Zayne Parekh and Samuel Honzek represent hope for the future. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine whether the Flames have enough to improve, why Jonathan Huberdeau and Matt Coronato face pivotal seasons, and the difficult position head coach Ryan Huska could find himself in if Calgary misses the playoffs again.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00:00] Calgary finishes seventh in the Pacific Division and misses the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season—and for the fifth time in six years.

[00:00:20] The underlying results offer little encouragement as the Flames decline offensively, defensively, and on the power play. Management responds with a more active offseason.

[00:00:40] Calgary acquires defenseman Simon Nemec and Maxim Tsyplakov from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a 2026 second-round selection and first-round picks in 2027 and 2028.

[00:01:00] The Flames also acquire defenseman Jake Middleton from Minnesota as part of a deal involving multiple draft picks, Blake Coleman, and Olli Määttä.

[00:01:20] With Scotia Place scheduled to open for the 2027-28 season, Craig Conroy and Don Maloney face increasing pressure to have the franchise trending upward before entering its new home.

[00:01:40] Vic believes Calgary should improve this season, but much depends on players such as Matt Coronato and Jonathan Huberdeau producing at a higher level.

[00:02:00] Huberdeau remains a particular concern after failing to reproduce the level of offensive production he delivered during his years with the Florida Panthers.

[00:02:20] Strong seasons from Calgary’s established players could also make the organization more attractive to future free agents as the opening of Scotia Place approaches. Without progress, the Flames risk entering their new building with a stagnant team.

[00:02:40] Neil likes the Nemec acquisition and explains the structure of the New Jersey trade, suggesting that taking on Tsyplakov was effectively part of the price Calgary had to pay to acquire Nemec.

[00:03:00] Middleton brings size and experience to the blue line after playing effectively for Minnesota when healthy and in the lineup.

[00:03:20] Despite those defensive additions, Neil still does not believe Calgary possesses enough talent to become a playoff team this season.

[00:03:40] Neil recognizes that the Flames are attempting a slower build and also face some of the financial challenges that come with operating a Canadian franchise, but he would not pick Calgary as one of the Pacific Division’s playoff teams.

[00:04:00] Calgary makes relatively modest additions through unrestricted free agency, bringing in defensemen Andreas Englund from Nashville and Michael Benning from Florida.

[00:04:20] Forward Ben Jones also joins the Flames on a one-year contract after playing in the Minnesota organization.

[00:04:40] Several useful players depart. Ryan Lomberg, described as a spark plug for Calgary, signs with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

[00:05:00] Victor Olofsson leaves for Vegas, Justin Kirkland joins Minnesota, John Beecher signs with Florida, and Dillon Dubé moves to St. Louis.

[00:05:20] The Flames will need more from their young talent, beginning with defenseman Zayne Parekh, the ninth overall selection in the 2024 NHL Draft.

[00:05:40] Parekh appeared in 37 games last season and experienced a significant NHL learning curve. Vic expects him to be considerably more comfortable during his second extended opportunity.

[00:06:00] Samuel Honzek, the 16th overall pick in 2023, is another young player Calgary hopes can make a larger impact after showing promise before suffering a season-ending injury in November.

[00:06:20] Honzek’s injury came following a collision with captain Mikael Backlund, prematurely ending an opportunity for the young forward to establish himself.

[00:06:40] Neil and Vic discuss the extremely narrow margin separating NHL teams trying to take the next step from those that can quickly fall further down the standings.

[00:07:00] That uncertainty puts Ryan Huska in a difficult position as he enters his fourth season behind Calgary’s bench.

[00:07:20] Neil explains the unforgiving reality facing NHL coaches: sometimes a coach can be given a roster that is unlikely to make the playoffs and still lose his job when the team inevitably falls short.

[00:07:40] The key question becomes what Conroy and Maloney realistically expect from Huska with the roster they have assembled. Neil believes Maloney understands the situation and likely recognizes Calgary’s limitations.

[00:08:00] The episode concludes with cautious optimism about some of Calgary’s young pieces and defensive additions, but Neil remains unconvinced that the Flames have enough talent to end their playoff drought this season.