The Calgary Flames locker room is going to look a lot different heading into the 2026–27 season.
After last season’s veteran clean-out, the Flames leadership group needs some new faces. Mackenzie Weegar, Nazem Kadri, Olli Maatta and Blake Coleman have all been shipped out. Mainstays like Mikael Backlund, Jonathan Huberdeau and Zach Whitecloud are the only all-but-confirmed members of the leadership group. But here are some other guys who we think should be included:
Joel Farabee
Joel Farabee donned the “A” for the Flames for a time last season, and rightfully so.
Farabee is a strong leader both on and off the ice for this young Flames squad. In March of this year, Ryan Huska promoted him to alternate captain, praising his energy, strong voice and team-first attitude.
Farabee’s presence in the Flames’ dressing room has been a big positive for a team struggling to find guidance. Farabee stepped up in the last two months of the season. The Flames had traded away nearly the entire leadership team. Farabee has learned a lot about being a good leader by following his captain, Mikael Backlund.
His connection with both veterans and rookies had fans calling for him to be named team captain during his time as a Philadelphia Flyer; however, that never came to be.
Heading into this season, Farabee has earned the right to wear a letter once again. He’s the perfect guy to fill the alternate captain role left by Blake Coleman.
Matt Coronato
Matt Coronato is expected to be a mainstay on the Flames roster for years to come.
Coronato is locked up until the 2030–31 season. A promotion within the Flames’ leadership group would be a nice gesture from management.
Back in 2018, a young Matthew Tkachuk was named an alternate captain of the Flames in just his third NHL season.
Coronato is in a role similar to Matthew Tkachuk’s back then. Being assistant captain could give Coronato that extra spark he needs to take the next step on the ice.
Coronato has built strong relationships with both the veterans on the team and the younger up-and-comers. Giving him a leadership role would help cement Coronato as an important piece of the Flames’ future.
If the Flames want to inject some youth into the Flames leadership group, Coronato should be the go-to guy. He’s a team player who keeps to himself and is team-oriented.
Kevin Bahl
Kevin Bahl finds himself in a similar position to that of Matt Coronato. He’s still a young guy who has a good relationship with both the veteran group of players and the youngsters.
Bahl got to shadow former Flames assistant captain Rasmus Andersson for a large part of his tenure in Calgary thus far. He’s more than qualified to fill the position left by his former defence partner.
Bahl’s a good stay-at-home defenceman, and when it comes to standing up for younger players on his team, the 6’6 Bahl isn’t gun-shy either.
Bahl’s not afraid to drop the mitts should his team need an energy boost, step up his play if the team is falling behind, or lead by example.
He should be high on the list of guys, as management puts together this year’s leadership group. Bahl is also signed long-term, being locked up until 2031.
Jacob Middleton
Jacob Middleton is a pretty easy to explain guy for this list.
Middleton is a tough and grizzled veteran defender whom the Flames acquired specifically for what he brings to the dressing room.
Middleton will be a solid mentor to the Flames’ younger defenders like Simon Nemec and Zayne Parekh.
The Alberta-born Middleton has expressed how excited he is to return to his home province. He’s also excited to embrace a leadership role with the Flames this upcoming season.
Middleton brings a certain level of grit to his game that Flames management is fond of. This will, more likely than not, see him wear an “A” on his chest this fall.
You must be logged in to post a comment.