2024-25
Record: 41-27-14, 4th in Pacific Division
Playoffs: Missed Stanley Cup Playoffs
Key Losses
Dan Vladar (G – Signed with PHI), Kevin Rooney (F – Unrestricted FA), and Anthony Mantha (F – Signed with PIT)
Key Additions
Ivan Prosvetov (G – Signed via FA)
2025-26 Preview
Eyeing the Playoffs
After missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs the last 3 seasons, the Calgary Flames look to continue their slow rise up the standings in the Pacific Division as they eye a return to the playoffs. With mid-season additions Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost more acclimated to the Flames lineup, they’ll be expected to have better seasons.
“I think when you first get traded, there’s a big adrenaline rush for the first few games,” said Frost, who was acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers last season. “It almost takes you back to your first-career game, where everything is new and you’re not really sure how you’ll fit in. At least, that’s how it felt with me. You obviously want to leave a good first impression on your teammates and the coaching staff, so I put some extra pressure on myself. And now … I feel like I can come into the new season feeling good about how I finished the year – and knowing I can really build on it.”
“We’ve had that conversation,” Frost said of the 1-on-1 with head coach Ryan Huska. “I’ve always kind of been known to be more of an offensive guy, but you know, there are times where you’re not putting up the numbers that you’d like and you have to be able to contribute more defensively. I’m not sure if I’ll ever be a penalty killer, but to be trusted in the last five minutes of the game when you’re up a goal, that kind of thing, is so important, especially as a centre. I think I can get even better at faceoffs (he was 50.5% last year) and be relied upon for that in the critical moments, too. And of course, I still want to score some goals and put up points, as everyone does. For me, the main thing is my consistency. I’m going to keep chipping away at that so I can become the most reliable player I can be.”
On defense, the re-signing of top pairing defenseman Kevin Bahl was a priority for the Flames as he signed a six-year deal.
“When you watch the games this year when he wasn’t in our lineup, you’re missing that big, heavy, long defender,” said Flames general manager Craig Conroy. “He moves well, it’s hard to beat him. I thought his puck play got much better as the season went along, and was actually more physical as the season went along, too. Sometimes you want him to be more physical at that size, but I did see that progression. And I think he’s going to keep taking steps. He’s only 24 [25] years old. I think the sky’s the limit. So, to have him locked up and be a big part of us moving forward is big.”
Youth Looking to Make an Impact
The Flames were not very active in free agency as they stuck to their plan of not handing out large contracts to free agents.
“We’ve always said we have a plan and you have to stick to it,” Conroy said. “You can’t deviate just because other teams are signing players. For us, we still have our young players. And all these teams that have signed players have taken spots away from young players. You’re going to see more opportunity for our guys with better competition. And if I’m a young player sitting at home, I’m thinking, ‘Huh, they haven’t done much. I’m going to work even harder this summer because I want to make that team.’ I’m going to need Farabee, I’m going to need Frost, [Connor] Zary, Matty Coronato. Guys like that that are going to come in and play better for us, and they’re going to have to give us more offence, and they’re going to have to take a step. And if they do, that’s going to be the difference for us. Those are the guys with [Adam] Klapka and [Martin] Pospisil, those are what we need right now. Those are what we need to rise and play better. But they’re going to get to play more, so that’s going to give them that chance.”
“Come take a spot,” Conroy said. “Come take a job. Earn it. Take it. If there’s an injury and you get a chance, never give that spot back. It’s hard to say there’s one spot here and one spot there; they’re all open in my mind. But these veteran guys aren’t going to give you anything, (so) we need these younger guys to push the veteran guys to be better.”
Projected Lineup
Offense
Jonathan Huberdeau — Nazem Kadri — Matt Coronato
Connor Zary — Morgan Frost — Yegor Sharangovich
Joel Farabee — Mikael Backlund — Blake Coleman
Martin Pospisil — Justin Kirkland — Adam Klapka
Defense
Kevin Bahl — Rasmus Andersson
Joel Hanley — MacKenzie Weegar
Jake Bean — Brayden Pachal
Goalies
Dustin Wolf
Ivan Prosvetov
Resources
- Dittrick, Ryan. “‘An Exciting Day.’” Frost determined to come back strong after signing new deal, July 3, 2025. https://www.nhl.com/flames/news/frost-determined-to-come-back-strong-after-signing-new-deal.
- Flames, PR. Flames Re-Sign Kevin Bahl, June 28, 2025. https://www.nhl.com/flames/news/flames-re-sign-kevin-bahl-28-06-25.
- Dittrick, Ryan. “‘Come Take A Job.’” Conroy stays true to the plan – while encouraging his young players – as free agency opens, July 1, 2025. https://www.nhl.com/flames/news/conroy-stays-true-to-the-plan-as-free-agency-opens.
TXHT may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through Cool Hockey and Oats Overnight ads/links in this article.