The Calgary Flames have sputtered out of the gate to a 2-6-0 record this season, but TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reports head coach Ryan Huska’s job is not in jeopardy at this point.
The Flames have been outscored 37 to 17 season, allowing 4.63 goals per game despite a competitive 81.8 per cent success rate on the penalty kill - 11th best in the NHL.
Huska signed a two-year contract extension last October which runs through the 2027-28 campaign and Dreger reports Flames management it is not looking to pin the blame for the early-season struggles on the head coach.
“It would be absolutely unfair at this point,” Dreger said Tuesday on Insider Trading of blaming Huska. “I think we need to declare that.
“Tough start for the Calgary Flames. It’s somewhat expected, but not this poor. The team is not playing well enough; I think that’s abundantly obvious.
“Their goaltending has not been average; it’s been below average. Structurally, they haven’t been good enough and they haven’t created enough offence.
“But [head coach] Ryan Huska is not on the hot seat. The team played slightly better in a 3-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes [on Sunday].
“So, management is hoping they continue to play on that sort of trend moving forward.”
Huska, 51, is in his fourth season behind the bench for the Flames, having been promoted in 2023 after five years as an assistant coach in Calgary.
The team missed the postseason on a tiebreaker in his second season in 2024-25, finishing equal with the St. Louis Blues at 96 points, but owning one less regulation win.
Calgary took a step backwards last season, finishing 13 points back of the final playoff spot as the their postseason drought was extended to four years.
The Flames have struggled to find bright spots on the ice early this season, both offensively and defensively. Morgan Frost, Matt Coronato and Joel Farabee all share the team scoring lead with five points each, while goaltenders Dustin Wolf and Devin Cooley have combined for an .847 save percentage through eight games.
Calgary will take on the Minnesota Wild on Thursday following a four-day break in their schedule.