The 2023 offseason has barely just begun yet it already feels like things are in full swing for the start of the next regular season. The 2023 NHL Draft and free agency looms over the hockey world as the major offseason events, but teams are already turning to 2023–24 and are releasing their preseason schedules for September.
Calgary Flames preseason games
The Flames have since released their preseason schedule now too, amidst the chaos they’re undergoing as a team. The schedule includes eight games played against four teams.
The first game against NHL opposition will be on September 24 against the Vancouver Canucks. From there they’ll continue with and home-and-home versus the Seattle Kraken before facing off against the Winnipeg Jets and Edmonton Oilers. They’ll close out their preseason against the Canucks.
Full preseason schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time |
|---|---|---|
| September 24, 2023 | vs. VAN | 6 p.m. MDT |
| September 25, 2023 | vs. SEA – Split Squad | 7 p.m. MDT |
| September 25, 2023 | @ SEA – Split Squad | 8 p.m. MDT |
| September 27, 2023 | @ WPG | 6 p.m. MDT |
| September 29, 2023 | vs. EDM | 7 p.m. MDT |
| October 2, 2023 | vs. WPG | 7 p.m. MDT |
| October 4, 2023 | @ EDM | 7 p.m. MDT |
| October 6, 2023 | @ VAN | 8 p.m. MDT |
The Flames are slotted to play two games against each of the four teams, with their set against the Kraken being a split squad game played on the same day. Broadcast and ticket information will be shared at a later date.
Turning to the future of the Flames
The Flames certainly head into the coming season with a chip on their shoulder. On paper they should still have a roster should put them in the tier of playoff teams, though contender status is well and far away. The problem with it is whether or not this roster remains the same. All signs point to significant roster turnover and so this preseason will be rather telling of the state of the Flames.
A big portion of how this team could look will be based on whether their best players rebound, if Ryan Huska can coach this team to their potential, and if the little things go the right way for the Flames. These little things are already going wrong with news that players may not want to return, so it’s going to be turbulent no matter how it plays out.
The first puck drop of 2023–24 is still months away but with the preseason schedule being out, all the focus between now and then is to see how the Flames prepare themselves, and whether they go into the season with the mantra of a “win-now” team or if they’re going to embrace the retool/rebuild.
Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire
