Despite not being considered playoff contenders, the vibes surrounding the Calgary Flames are in a good place.
After losing five straight games to begin the season, being outscored 27-8 in the process, the Flames have won four of their past five games and currently own the NHL’s fourth-best power play (32 per cent) with the equally hot Toronto Maple Leafs coming to town on Monday night.
It’s no debate the Flames are currently going through a rebuild.
But with their recent strong play and the anticipation of a new $1.2 billion arena, dubbed Scotia Place, slated to open next season, there’s a sense of optimism surrounding the organization that hasn’t played a playoff game since the 2021-22 campaign.
Flames general manager Craig Conroy says the task of rebuilding the roster and moving to a brand-new arena can go hand-in-hand.
“That’s the vision,” Conroy told Pierre LeBrun of the Athletic in a recent interview. “It started as a retool, and then we knew, ‘Hey, it’s a rebuild at this point.’ The fans wanted us to say it. And they understand. They’ve been amazing here in Calgary, in that they’re on board and they understand it might take a little time.
“They’re looking forward to it, and they’re looking forward to the new building. Getting the young guys in and making trades of the older guys — we still have a lot of work to do, but we feel we have a good mix of veterans and young guys right now.”
The Flames have called Scotiabank Saddledome home since 1983.
Conroy admitted watching the Flames during their early struggles was difficult given their compete level wasn’t where it needed to be, but thinks the coaching staff, led by head coach Ryan Huska, has gotten through to the players.
“I get that there was some frustration (in the market), but I listen to what the coaches want from the players and what they’re preaching about how they want to play,” Conroy said. “I also understand that we have young players that are playing prominent positions, and they’re going to make mistakes. That’s OK. That’s the only way they’re going to learn, is to be able to through the ups and downs of a long regular season.
“The coaching staff is well prepared. They work hard. We might not always execute the game plan right to a T, but they get the most out of the players. That was the disappointing thing the first few games. I didn’t feel like we were competing hard enough. But now, the guys are working and doing what the coaching staff wants.”
In addition to a strong power play, the Flames have gotten great goaltending from Devin Cooley. The 29-year-old American has been in net for all of Calgary’s three straight wins, allowing a total of four goals.
Ideally, Dustin Wolf will soon return to the form of his 2024-25 rookie season as the 25-year-old American is the first season of a seven-year, $52.5 million contract, featuring a $7.5 salary cap hit.
Wolf owns a 1-4 record alongside a 4.85 goals-against average and a .834 save percentage over five games this season.
“He had a little stretch last year which was like the way he’s started this year, but the one thing I can say about Dustin is that he’s working hard in practice,” Conroy said. “He’s dialed in. He’s super competitive. When you have someone going as hot as Cooley, you ride him as long as you can, but the competitive juices in Wolfey will be there, and when he gets his next start, he’ll be ready. I know that for sure.
“And you know what? It’s tough. You look at goalies, there’s ups and downs from year to year. For me, it’s the trickiest position to figure out what a goalie is going to be year in and year out.”
Wolf was selected by the Flames in the seventh round of the 2019 NHL Draft. He became Calgary’s No. 1 goalie in 2024-25, earning a nomination for the Calder Memorial Trophy thanks to a 2.64 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage over 53 games as the Flames narrowly missed the postseason.
Wolf took a step back last season, posting a 3.01 goals-against average and a .899 save percentage over 57 games.
Early look at the trade deadline
By the time this season’s trade deadline rolls around on March 1, the Flames will likely be in position to be sellers once again.
Last season, the Flames traded top defenceman Rasmus Andersson to the Vegas Golden Knights in January before sending veteran defenceman MacKenzie Weegar to the Utah Mammoth and veteran centre Nazem Kadri to the Colorado Avalanche in March.
As for this year, defenceman Zach Whitecloud, who was acquired from Vegas in the Andersson deal, could be a player who gets strong interest from contending teams.
The 29-year-old doesn’t have a point in 10 games this season, but is known for his physical presence on the back end and comes with an affordable contract, featuring a $2.75 million average annual value through the 2027-28 season.
Conroy says Whitecloud, who wear an ‘A’ for the Flames, is the type of player they want the young players on the team to look up to.
“I’ve talked to Zach. The one thing he’s said from the moment he came in: ‘I want to be part of the solution here, Craig. I want to help and I know I can help turn this around,’” Conroy said. “And we need good veteran players. You see younger, rebuilding teams around the league have gone and found those players. We just maybe found our guy a little bit earlier. I understand why his name is out there a lot. He’s a very good player on a very good contract.
“We also need those players to help our guys. And that’s what he does on the ice and in the locker room. He’s bought in. That means a lot to me and I think to our fans.”
Veteran forward Ryan Strome, acquired from the Anaheim Ducks at last year’s trade deadline, will be a free agent at season’s end and could be a trade target.