The Calgary Flames gave their fans reason to believe again in the 2024/25 season. After back-to-back fifth-place finishes in the Pacific Division with some less-than-impressive performances along the way, fans of the outfit could have been forgiven for thinking that their recently concluded campaign was about to be yet another disappointment. However, although it ended in heartbreaking fashion, the franchise and everyone associated with it can keep their heads held high.
They ended the season with an impressive 96 points, far exceeding the 70 or so that some analysts suggested they might finish with in preseason, but it still wasn’t enough to secure a spot in the postseason. That takes their barren spell to three, and this was perhaps the bitterest of them all after finishing level on points with the St. Louis Blues and missing out on a tiebreaker.
While Flames fans will have to watch on from home, online betting sites are already salivating at the prospect of the upcoming Stanley Cup playoffs. Websites offering online betting in Canada currently price the Carolina Hurricanes as the +475 favorites, narrowly ahead of the reigning champion Florida Panthers at +650. Both the Toronto Maple Leafs and the President’s Trophy-winning Winnipeg Jets are Canada’s best hopes to bring the giant trophy north of the border for the first time in 32 years, with the bookies pricing them at +750 and +900 respectively.
For the Flames, though, while the sting of falling so close to the postseason still lingers, there’s no denying this team is headed in the right direction. Here are four actionable ways that they can build on their recent progress and secure a spot in the postseason next year.
Lock Down Key Extensions
At the heart of this season’s resurgence were mammoth contributions from defencemen MacKenzie Weegar and Rasmus Andersson. Both are recognized as the backbone of this roster, yet the latter of the duo carries uncertainty heading into the last year of his contract. Priority number one for the Flames has to be locking in a long-term deal for this cornerstone, or alternatively trading him away, rather than losing him as a free agent next summer.
🚨 RASMUS ANDERSSON IS ALL BUSINESS! 😳
— Bodog (@BodogCA) March 18, 2025
The #Flames are +150 to pick up the W 👀#NHL ➡️ https://t.co/bCXI20r1pk
pic.twitter.com/JIYTZvnZdj
While Andersson’s two-way play remains elite, it hasn’t quite reached the levels that it did in his breakout campaign back in 2022. Losing him would leave a massive void in the starting lineup, one that isn’t easily filled through free agency or internal development. While general manager Craig Conroy is expected to take care of the likes of Matt Coronato, Morgan Frost, and Kevin Bahl, securing the future of the Swedish defencemen should also be a top priority.
Address the Power Play Woes
As much as the Flames exceeded expectations this season, their power play continues to drag them down. Ranking in the bottom third of the league, Calgary’s lack of creativity and precision with the man advantage cost them critical points.
This offseason, a focus on acquiring a true power-play quarterback should take precedence. While Andersson has been serviceable in this role, the Flames need a dynamic, offensive-minded defenseman to unlock the unit’s full potential.
K’Andre Miller looks hopeful. Known for his imposing size and underrated offensive instincts, the current Ranger could bring much-needed dynamism to Calgary’s blue line and power play.
Be Aggressive in Free Agency
Beyond improving the power play, Calgary must also address its depth scoring. For much of 2024/25, they relied heavily on their top six to generate offense. When those top players were neutralized, the lack of contributions from the bottom six was glaring.
To remedy this, the Flames should target reliable secondary scorers in free agency. Players like Conor Garland or Anthony Duclair, if available, could inject speed, creativity, and versatility into the middle six. On the blue line, adding a proven shutdown defender to complement an offensive-minded team would help balance the roster. Someone like Carson Soucy, a steady but physical presence who can eat up tough minutes, fits this profile.
Conroy has already been eyeing up left-sided centers, with names such as Winnipeg’s Gabe Vilardi and Boston’s 33-goal Morgan Geekie topping the billing. Both would be pricey options, but they could be just what’s required to turn the Flames into genuine contenders instead of also-rans.
Target Size and Skill at the Draft
The Flames have made respectable strides in recent drafts, but bolstering the prospect pipeline remains essential for sustained success. With their first-round pick in the 2025 draft, Calgary should be targeting players with a mix of size and skill, particularly at center or on defense.Two names to watch are forwards Cole Eiserman and Jack Nesbitt, both of whom possess tremendous goal-scoring ability and NHL-ready size. With the Flames on the board twice in the first round at 18 and 22 overall, courtesy of the blockbuster Matthew Tkachuk trade, they will be in a prime position to add some desperately needed quality at the top of the ice.
