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.
Despite the expectations the team started hot and playoff hopes were real discussion. Since then the team has had been up and down, making no ground in the standings but also not losing much.
This is especially important because the Flames own first round pick won’t be traded to Montreal if it’s a lottery pick. The Flames currently hold three 2025 first-round picks:
- Their own pick, which would be 18th overall if the season ended today
- The Florida Panthers pick, which would be 23rd overall if the season ended today
- The New Jersey Devils pick, which would be 28th 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. Currently the Canadiens would receive the 18th overall pick.
Current NHL standings
The Flames began the toughest stretch of their schedule after the holiday break and thus far they’re 2–2–0. It’s been .500 hockey in Calgary for most of the season and the trend doesn’t seem to be improving. The Devils have wavered a bit since the break, going 1–3–0, but are still a long way from lottery territory. With the Devils emerging as a contender, 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, separated by five points.
If the season ended this way, the Flames would give Montreal their own pick and retain Florida’s, selecting five spots lower. Instead of having their own pick at 18th overall they would have Florida’s 23rd overall pick.
Direction needed
The Flames are approaching territory they know all too well, being just outside the playoffs ahead of the trade deadline. Although management and seemingly plans have changed, being a middling team is the worst-case scenario. The team doesn’t appear to be any sort of playoff competitor nor should they try to be one come the trade deadline.
The Flames are one point out of the final wild card spot in the west and six points out of a lottery spot. However, the standings are tight and the Flames schedule is gruelling leading up to the 4 Nations Face-Off. Wins or losses are needed right away.
The next stretch of play leading into the 4 Nations break will start to separate the standings. With most teams approaching their 41st game of the season, the scales will begin to tip. Hopefully, they tip a direction in Calgary—all this balance is becoming unbearable.
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