The Calgary Flames’ playoff run in 2004 will be a moment that the fanbase will forever cherish. The team made it into the playoffs as the sixth seed in the West, and defied all odds by making it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Flames would ultimately lose that series in seven games (mind you, controversially), but it cemented a new sense of hope in the team’s management staff and ownership. Well, since 2004, the Flames have only won two playoff series, and the team is now likely to miss the playoffs for the fourth straight season.
We’ve talked about how Flames’ ownership has been so reluctant towards a true rebuild, and the 2004 run plays a huge part in that. The team during that time wasn’t expected to be a major threat, yet they somehow made it all the way to the finals. Since then, Flames ownership has followed the mantra of “sneak in, and anything can happen” regarding the team’s playoff aspirations. As we all know, that’s a terrible strategy to follow.
The Flames have had little playoff success since 2004
As mentioned, the Flames haven’t been all that successful since their magical run in 2004. In fact, it’s been quite the tenure of mediocrity.
2006: Lost first round
2007: Lost first round
2008: Lost first round
2009: Lost first round
2010: Missed playoffs
2011: Missed playoffs
2012: Missed playoffs
2013: Missed playoffs
2014: Missed playoffs
2015: Lost second round
2016: Missed playoffs
2017: Lost first round
2018: Missed playoffs
2019: Lost first round
2020: Lost first round
2021: Missed playoffs
2022: Lost second round
2023: Missed playoffs
2024: Missed playoffs
2025: Missed playoffs
During the 2010s, the Flames would just repeat the cycle of making and then missing the postseason. There was no consistency with the team; rather, it was cycles of mediocrity and failed promises. However, fans would always show up the next season, hoping that things would be different. Despite a couple of good regular seasons, the Flames didn’t make it far when it mattered.
Why the 2004 run changed ownership’s outlook
Now I have to admit, when watching videos of the city of Calgary during the 2004 Flames run, I get jealous of all the people who got to experience it first hand (I was a year old then). When it’s playoff time in Calgary, the whole city comes alive. The last time we got to experience that was in 2022, and I’m certainly looking forward to the next time Flames fans will be watching postseason hockey in Calgary once again.
However, since the 2004 run, ownership has been delusional in their beliefs of something like that happening again. It’s why the Flames have been so reluctant to tear it down and rebuild properly when they should’ve during many seasons. Ownership (specifically Murray Edwards) believes that if the team can sneak into the playoffs, then it’s free game. He’s not entirely wrong, but is it the best approach to build a contender? Absolutely not.
Take the 2022 offseason, for example. When Johnny Gaudreau left, the Flames should’ve started a rebuild right then and there. Trading Matthew Tkachuk for future assets would’ve been the smart move. Instead, they decided to trade Tkachuk for Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar, as well as signing Nazem Kadri later that summer. While the Flames were praised for those moves in the moment, it ended up blowing up in their face, all because ownership believed they could still stay competitive despite their two star players leaving. Beginning a rebuild during the summer of 2022 is now one of the biggest “what if” questions asked within the fanbase.
Fans still fear that ownership will meddle
When Craig Conroy took over as GM in 2023, he walked into a mess. The Flames would start the 2023-24 season 2-7-1, and it would inevitably lead to one of the biggest in-season selloffs in franchise history. While Conroy was making all these trades, optimism was growing regarding the team finally embracing a true rebuild, but the fear is still there regarding ownership.
Last season, the Flames yet again defied all odds (largely due to Dustin Wolf) and barely missed the playoffs when the consensus was that they would be a bottom-10 team. You have to think that after what happened, ownership believed that they were closer than they truly were, but that has been put to rest with how bad the Flames have been so far this season.
With the Flames currently being 4-12-2, they’re officially the worst team in the NHL right now. With the 2026 draft coming up, the time is now to take a step back to draft a player who could be your next franchise cornerstone. A big part of that is selling players who don’t fit the team’s timeline.
Nazem Kadri has been in trade rumors for about a year now. With him being 35 and the Flames being where they are right now, it makes total sense to explore trade options. However, a recent report suggested that Flames’ ownership expressed no interest in trading Kadri and expressed their love for the current Flames’ core (a core that has accomplished what exactly?).
News like this is worrying, especially when it’s so obvious where the team is headed. If ownership isn’t willing to trade players who no longer fit the team’s timeline, how is the team rebuilding then? Honestly, I need to see it to believe it.
The Flames need to accept their position now
Fans are tired of a mediocre product. It’s time this team finally accepts their fate and rebuilds properly. Enough of the culture talk, prioritization of veterans and allowing ownership to meddle. If the Flames want to become contenders, they need elite talent, and the draft is the perfect source to acquire those types of players.
Conroy really needs to put his foot down as GM. He and his staff need to have a plan to properly convince ownership that a rebuild is the most logical move. If he doesn’t, the Flames are bound to be stuck in this loop of mediocrity forever.
