Over the past two years, the Calgary Flames have experienced a mass exodus of talent, with numerous high-profile players leaving the organization through free agency or trade to go on to green pastures. Or so they thought. Currently a month and a half into the 2024–25, the greener pastures haven’t been so green for a few key former Flames who decided to leave the organization.
That’s not to say every former Flame is faring worse (Chris Taved we see you, we all miss you), but a good number are in fact struggling.
Let’s take a deeper look at some former Flames who aren’t exactly thriving away from Calgary.
Elias Lindholm – Boston Bruins
You knew he’d be here first. Mr. $9 Million’s final season in Calgary was an interesting one, to say the least. Let’s just say Elias Lindholm didn’t exactly leave the organization on great terms. From demanding elite number-one centre money from Craig Conroy to stick around in Calgary, followed up by what can only be described as lazy and uninterested play over the next few months, it was a rather welcome sight to see the Flames ship Lindholm out of town in February.
After a pretty disastrous showing in Vancouver to close out last year, Lindholm finally got his big payday and signed a mega seven-year, $54.25 million deal to become the new number-one centre for the Boston Bruins. Well at least on paper he was supposed to be a number one centre. So far through 21 games in Boston, Lindholm’s play has been less than ideal. He’s posted just three goals and seven assists for 10 points on the year for a 39-point pace—Lindholm’s lowest since 2016. The total ranks 81st in the NHL among centres according to NHL.com. It’s not exactly first-line production.
Noah Hanifin – Vegas Golden Knights
Just like Lindholm, Noah Hanifin came into last season leaving the door open just enough for the Flames to believe he may come back, only to decide against re-signing a couple of months into the season. As such, he was shipped out just a few days before the trade deadline for what can be described as an underwhelming return. Hanifin had a tremendous few weeks in Vegas to close out last season which earned him a giant eight-year, $58 million contract extension to make him one of the league’s highest-paid defenders.
So far, his extension hasn’t got off to the best start. Hanifin currently sits with nine points in 20 games which equates to a 37-point pace over a full season. 37 points would be his lowest full-season total since the 2019–20 season when he had 22 points in Calgary. It’s not just his point production either. Hanifin is getting caved in this season. He’s currently sitting on a 46.05 CF% which is sixth among Vegas defenders. His 44.83 xGF% isn’t much better either, also sitting sixth among Vegas defencemen.
Nikita Zadorov – Boston Bruins
After re-establishing his career in Calgary and becoming one of the league’s most renowned big men on defence, Nikita Zadorov forced his way out of Calgary via trade a year ago this month. He experienced some nice success with the Canucks last season, which earned him a gigantic contract in free agency. Once considered a bottom-pairing defender at his very best, Zadorov put pen to paper on a six-year, $30 million contract in Boston this past summer. Right from the get-go this seemed like a massive risk for the Bruins, and thus far the risk isn’t paying off.
Zadorov has posted just five assists and no goals through 21 games with the Bruins, while regularly getting into penalty trouble with 46 penalty minutes already on the season. Offence of course isn’t the primary part of Zadorov’s game, but when you’re getting paid five million a year for the next six years, a 19-point, zero-goal pace isn’t ideal.
Oliver Kylington – Colorado Avalanche
Oliver Kylington needs to find a new agent. Despite having a one-year deal on the table from the Flames this past summer that almost certainly would’ve made him an NHL regular with the team, Kylington held out for a long-term deal. In the end, the long-term deal never came from any team in the NHL and he was forced to settle for a cheap, one-year contract in Colorado without a guaranteed spot in the lineup.
So far this season Kylington has been pushed aside on the Avs blueline, skating in just six games, including one at forward. He’s been a healthy scratch 14 times this season already. He’s posted no points while averaging just 11:30 minutes a game, the lowest total of his career. You can’t help but wonder how differently Kylington’s season would be going right now had he accepted the one-year deal from Calgary to play as a regular in their lineup.
Not all is good away from Calgary
The Flames seemingly dodged what could’ve been some disastrous contracts. With the holes left in the roster from these departures, there’s been room and opportunity for more players to step up. Maybe the grass isn’t so green on the other side after all.
