For the past two seasons, the Calgary Flames have finished with the exact same win total (38). However, thanks to a bevy of overtime losses (17–5) the 2022–23 team finished with 93 points, compared to the 81 that amounted to last year’s tally. They say that things have to get worse before they get better and for the Flames, they appear to be trending in that direction.
Unfortunately for the Flames fans, the team finished the season 17 points back of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, but yet 36 points ahead of the San Jose Sharks, the worst team in the NHL. So what does that all mean? Well, basically the Flames currently find themselves in a grey area, not good enough to compete for a playoff berth, but not bad enough to claim a top draft pick, one that could help with a much-needed rebuild.
After parting ways with Jacob Markstrom and Andrew Mangiapane during the offseason, the Flames will have a new look for the upcoming season. With the 2024–25 schedule set to start October 4, there is still time for Calgary to scour the trade market and make some more moves.
Nazem Kadri
While it seems unlikely that the Flames will move their talented but disgruntled leading scorer from last season before the start of the year, don’t be surprised to see the 15-year veteran on the block heading into the trade deadline. Notably bothered by the fact that GM Craig Conroy had decided to go with a rebuilding approach rather than a retool, at 34 years old, Kadri isn’t in the Flames’ plans for the future and could return a decent haul. Should Kadri be willing to waive his no-trade clause, he could find himself heading back to Ontario.
Potential Trade Partner – Kadri and Rasmus Andersson to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Mitch Marner
Jonathan Huberdeau
When the Flames acquired forward Huberdeau from the Florida Panthers for Matthew Tkachuk, they, along with their fans, were hoping for the 115-point scorer. Unfortunately what they have gotten is a 55- and 52-point scorer over the last two seasons. Clearly not the return they were planning for. With the potential of being a high-calibre player, the Flames might be able to find someone willing to take on the remainder of his ugly eight-year, $84 million deal which pays him $10.5 million per season for the next seven years.
Potential Trade Partner – The odds are very low that the Flames will find anyone crazy enough to eat what has been deemed the worst current contract in the NHL. The market value for Huberdeau is extremely low, but anything that they can get back in return should be deemed a victory.
Blake Coleman
The 32-year-old, eight-year veteran had a career season in 2023–24 with 30 goals and 54 points. All of which means that his trade stock is at an all-time high. Considering that Coleman’s average point total during the previous six seasons hovered in the mid-thirties, the Flames should be looking to move him while he’s hot. A gritty two-way forward who stands out on the penalty kill, Coleman could be sought after by a contending team.
Potential Trade Partner – Coleman to the Carolina Hurricanes for a package that includes Scott Morrow and/or Ryan Suzuki, plus a draft pick
Daniel Vladar
With Markstrom now playing for the New Jersey Devils, the starting goaltender job is up for grabs with the Flames. While most everyone assumes that the role is Dustin Wolf’s for the taking, it would cause a trickle-down effect to who becomes the backup. After signing Devin Cooley to a two-year deal on July 1, the Flames can likely dangle Vladar and his expiring $2.2 million cap hit to a team looking for a backup or a rebuilding squad that may be able to offer the Czech goaltender an opportunity to start.
Potential Trade Partner – Vladar to the Washington Capitals for Ryan Chesley and a second-round draft pick
Looking ahead
Trading any of these players will undoubtedly have an impact on the Flames record for the 2024–25 season as they look to build for the future. With the goal of acquiring young talent, draft picks, and in the case of Huberdeau, cap space, any of these deals can only help the Flames become more competitive down the road.
Entering the 2024–25 season, sports betting sites in Canada are likely to feature the Flames as underdogs for a majority of their games as they go through the rebuilding process. With their neighbours to the north, the Edmonton Oilers as favourites to win the Stanley Cup, Flames fans will be asked to sit through a long cold Alberta winter with not much to cheer for.
