The 2024–25 season was anticipated to be one where the Calgary Flames’ successes were measured upon player development, team culture, and NHL draft lottery odds. In other words, it appeared the rebuild was finally here.
This season is especially important in regard to the draft as the Flames currently hold three 2025 first-round picks:
- Their own pick, which would be 21st overall if the season ended today
- The Florida Panthers pick, which would be 22nd overall if the season ended today
- The New Jersey Devils pick, which would be 25th overall if the season ended today, but will defer to 2026 if the Devils finish bottom-10
As part of the conditions in the Sean Monahan trade with the Montreal Canadiens, the better of Florida or Calgary’s picks will be transferred to the Canadians if the Flames finish outside the bottom 10.
Current NHL standings
Right now, the Flames are 13th overall even after a losing skid on their recent road trip. The Devils have been hot offensively lately scoring five goals in four of their last five games and are currently fifth overall. With the Devils climbing the standings it seems guaranteed they’ll finish outside the bottom ten and the Flames will receive their 2025 pick.
The Panthers have stayed neck-and-neck with the Flames for most of the season, currently in 10th overall, but only separated by two points.
If the season ended this way, the Flames would give Montreal their own pick and retain Florida’s, selecting three spots lower. Instead of having their own pick at 20th overall they would have Florida’s 23rd overall pick.
Is it time to cheer for… losses?
The Flames broke their losing streak against Columbus and the resilient group still looks poised to keep some momentum on their side. Despite their 13th overall position, the Flames are only five points out of the final draft lottery spot in which teams 21-31 overall are only separated by five points.
This season has been a rollercoaster already as there was a point in time where the Flames making the playoffs just seemed like the right outcome to motivate the team and make the season more fun to watch. But now as injuries pile on and the season gets more serious, it’s harder to know which direction the Flames will go.
Some teams are starting to emerge at this point in the season, with lots of middling to low-middle teams. Although the standings are tight—especially in the lower half of the league—the next ten-game stretch could change a lot for the outcome of the season as teams start to separate themselves heading into the new year.
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