We’re just over a month away from the puck hitting the ice in Calgary and it cannot come soon enough. While the product on the ice may not be as good as in years past, there will be a lot of young players to watch, which should make this team fun to watch.
Even more fun is the number of former players coming to town that we have the chance to watch. The Flames have a list of exes longer than Taylor Swift, and while some ended on good terms, others will bring out boos all night long. Here are the games you’ll want to watch this season:
Jacob Markstrom’s return to the ‘Dome
The first big rivalry night this season will be seeing Jacob Markstrom return to Calgary. While the goalie will still be wearing red this season, November 1 will be the first time that he will return to the city since being traded in June. New Jersey should be much better in front of a competent goalie this year as they could make the playoffs, and watching Markstrom play should be well worth a ticket this season.
The first and only Battle of Alberta in Calgary
The schedule-makers at the NHL’s offices hate fun this season and have scheduled just one Battle of Alberta in Calgary this year, and it will be November 3. This early season tilt will be a big one to mark on the calendar and should provide no shortage of vibes. While it is no fun to watch Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl face off against the Flames, the rivals to the north do have serious questions on the blueline and in net that the Flames can exploit.
Win or lose, the Battle of Alberta is always an entertaining matchup and it’s sure to contain lots of big hits and a high tempo like at a Canada live casino. This is a 6 p.m. start time.
Adam Fox back at the Dome
The boo-birds will be out in full force as Adam Fox and the New York Rangers make their annual trip out to Calgary. Fox has been highly disliked by Flames fans since forcing a trade to the US some years back, and you best believe that disrespect has not been forgotten. Expect a loud crowd at the dome on November 21 when they play at 7 p.m.
Johnny and Sean reunited back in Calgary
The Flames will see their beloved former centre alongside the far less beloved Johnny Gaudreau back in the Saddledome on December 3. Both have been back individually since being going to Montreal and Columbus respectively, but this will be the first time the two will be reunited in Calgary since the 2022–23 season. It’s always great to see Sean Monahan in Calgary, and hopefully, he’s healthy enough to play.
The ’04 Cup run rivalry
For two teams that are about as far away from each other as can be, the Flames and Lightning have had an ongoing rivalry for the last twenty years. The undeserved winners of the 2004 Stanley Cup will be in Calgary on December 12 and this will be one to put in the calendar to be at.
Matthew Tkachuk comes back home
Just two days later, the current Stanley Cup Champions will be at the ‘Dome and Flames fans will get their annual opportunity to either cheer or boo Matthew Tkachuk. The former sixth overall pick of the Flames is always a treat to watch when he comes to town, and this should be a fun game to be at.
Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov’s Homecoming
The Boston Bruins will play the Flames on December 17th at the Dome, and this will be a chance to see Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov for the first and only time this season. Fan favourite Zadorov will undoubtedly bring the heat against his former teammates, and will likely be less of a treat to watch than when he was donning the Flaming C. That being said, Boston is always a ton of fun and this is a game to make on the calendar.
First chance to see Tij in the NHL?
While the odds are small, there is a chance the Tij Iginla could play NHL games this season for the Utah Hockey Club, and if that happens, his first chance to play in the Saddledome will be January 2. Tij would be the second Iginla to play NHL games in Calgary if he does. If it doesn’t happen this season, it will almost certainly be next.
Kylington and the Avalanche play the Flames
The Avalanche were busy this summer, signing former Flames to contracts including Oliver Kylington and Matthew Phillips. Assuming Phillips is with the big club, the two of them will be back in Calgary to play the Flames on February 6.
Hanifin is back in YYC
Right as the season wraps up, Noah Hanifin will make his first trip back to Calgary to play at the ‘Dome. The Vegas Golden Knights will play the Flames on April 5. The Golden Knights close out the season in Calgary on April 15. While the visitors are leaving the casinos back in Vegas, the online market has hit US$4.19bn.
What to watch for this season?
While the Flames won’t be competing for a division crown and won’t even be in the playoff conversation, the key thing to watch for is that the team tries hard and that the young players take strides in the right direction. If you get a good year of development out of Dustin Wolf and company and the team plays hard, particularly in their rivalry games, it will have been a good year for the Flames.
Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire
