Why the Flames are almost ready to switch from rebuilding to adding
A lot has changed for the Calgary Flames over the past three years. After being a Stanley Cup favorite at the beginning of the decade, the Flames have gone through an organizational overhaul since 2023, from management to the coaching staff and then right down to the roster.
In a league filled with parity, the Flames have been zigging when everyone else is zagging the last several seasons. With an emphasis on acquiring draft capital and getting younger, the Flames have drafted six times in the first round in the four NHL Drafts since 2023 – including twice in the top 10.
The Flames still have their eye on the future – they possess two second-round picks in each of the next three drafts – but there is a growing sense that the tide is slowly turning with the Flames internally in regards to their approach entering the season.
“I think there was a lot of uncertainty with our veteran players especially [when I took over in the summer of 2023],” Flames GM Craig Conroy told Daily Faceoff this week. “Whether it was Elias Lindholm, Jacob Markstrom, Chris Tanev – there was a lot of uncertainty [about their futures with the club]. Even for us: ‘Is this the group we’re going to win with, or do we need to make some changes?’ We’ve made a lot of moves.
“We’ve moved a lot of veteran players out the last few years, and we’ve brought in young guys. The biggest [difference] this year is that everyone is excited to be here and there’s nobody that people are talking about that may not end up being here. These guys all want to be here, be a part of it and want to show people that we’ve been underestimated – when you’re the underdog it’s a good thing.”
The Flames continued their selloff last season, moving forward center Nazem Kadri to the Colorado Avalanche, defenseman Rasmus Andersson to the Vegas Golden Knights and defenseman MacKenzie Weegar to the Utah Mammoth, with Blake Coleman sent to the Minnesota Wild over the offseason.
The constant cashing out of veteran players has liberated spots for younger talents, one of which is winger Matvei Gridin.
Gridin, 20, was a first-round pick in 2024 and has started the season on the top line for the Flames. He’s a relatively unknown commodity throughout the league, but the Flames have high hopes that Gridin can eventually be a difference maker for them.
“He’s probably 50/50 as a shooter and playmaker,” Conroy said. “He’s got a real swagger about him. He has confidence. One day – I’m not going to put that pressure on him now – he needs to be a game changer for us. He’s got that ability, skill and size – he’s one of those guys I’m really excited to see this year. He has a great opportunity in a huge role for us.”
Gridin began the season Thursday night alongside Morgan Frost, who has emerged as the Flames’ top-line center to start the season.
Frost, 27, finished with a career-high 22 goals last season to go along with 43 points while playing in all 82 games during the regular season. Acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers two seasons ago, Frost really came into his own late last season.
“When we traded Kadri, [Frost) jumped in that spot [as the top-line center], and he really took charge,” Conroy said. “It was a small sample size at the end of the year, but I’m really looking forward to seeing him grab a hold of that spot and take it. He’s got the skill; with him it’s about consistency sometimes. I want him to have it more nights than not.”
Between drafting and trades, the Flames have essentially cornered the market on right-handed defensemen. In a league forever scarce in right-shooting rearguards, having so many on the roster gives flexibility for Conroy and his coaching staff.
“We were looking for an age-appropriate guy when we got Simon Nemec [from the New Jersey Devils] to join the group,’’ Conroy said. “We really targeted and gave up a lot for him. He sees the ice so well; he’s different from Zayne [Parekh], as he’s an offensive guy but in a different way. He gets his shot through, keeps his head up and reads the play.
“’To have those two guys [on the right side] definitely gives us some flexibility moving forward.”
The Flames project to have a little less than $66 million in salary-cap space by the Trade Deadline. The Flames have been pure sellers in recent years and have been willing to take on salary; while they are still somewhat in that mode, they may look to weaponize their cap space in a more aggressive way if the opportunity presents itself. Entering his fourth season as GM, Conroy could capitalize on his cap space by buying if it makes sense.
“Absolutely – we’re looking to do both,” Conroy said. “When we’ve had the cap space, so has everyone else, so maybe we haven’t been able to take players in return for draft picks. We’ve made lots of picks and have a nice pipeline coming. If there’s an opportunity to make trades and use some of the picks we still have – like we did to acquire Nemec – we’re gonna do that [to add players]. We want to start pushing in the right direction and we want to be competitive. We have a new building coming next year, and we want to be moving in the right direction.”
Though three years into the current-management regime, the Flames could still be classified as being in a rebuild. That being said, they are clearly looking to progress this season towards becoming a playoff team.
“I do want to see us take a step this season – that’s the goal,” Conroy said. “That has a lot to do with our young guys. Can Matt Coronato get back to where he was [two seasons ago]; can Gridin take a step; Parekh looks like a different player this training camp with his confidence – he’s put on some weight and is winning battles.
“There’s still room to grow, and it’s going to take some time, but I’m excited about the future and I think by the end of the year you’re going to see some of our picks – who haven’t signed here yet – making their debuts at some point down the stretch.”
It is in all likelihood another rebuilding year in Calgary, but after three years and four drafts amassing assets, there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel. It will take some internal growth – from players on the roster and those who have not turned professional yet – but there is a foundation that is clearly being laid.
And above all else, it is evident the Flames are now prepared to add ready-now talent to add to their young group if the opportunity presents itself. They have the draft capital and the cap space to do so – now it is about waiting for the opportunity.
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