7 Calgary Flames players who need to be better to make playoffs next year
The Calgary Flames are looking to continue their upward trajectory after an impressive 2024-25 season.
Although some fans are still hoping to see the Flames tank in the hopes of securing a high draft pick in 2026, the organization itself appears to have its sights set on competing for a playoff berth this upcoming season.
The Flames wound up missing the playoffs by just a single point in what was expected to be an ugly 2024-25 campaign. They were able to do so thanks in large part to their youth, as Dustin Wolf and Matt Coronato proved to be very impactful players from start to finish.
While the Flames played very well as a collective bunch, there were some individuals who could have been better this past season. If a playoff berth is to happen in 2025-26, they will need these seven players to provide bigger impacts.
Yegor Sharangovich
One of the most disappointing Flames this season was Yegor Sharangovich. Fresh off of a career-high 31 goals and 59 points in 2023-24, the 27-year-old regressed to just 17 goals and 32 points in 73 outings.
Sharangovich doesn’t provide much to the lineup when he isn’t producing, which is a cause for concern given that he is set to begin a five-year contract with a cap hit of $5.75 million. They need him to ramp up the intensity and get back to producing in 2025-26.
Martin Pospisil
By no means is Martin Pospisil expected to be a big offensive contributor for the Flames, but everybody would have expected him to score more than just four goals this past season. It was a step back for the 25-year-old after an impressive rookie campaign.
Pospisil not only struggled offensively, but wasn’t the same physical force fans quickly grew to love in 2023-24. He needs to find a way to get back to being that same intimidating presence going forward, and adding some more offence along the way wouldn’t hurt.
Joel Farabee
During his end-of-season media availability, Joel Farabee described his 2024-25 campaign as “embarrassing.” After a career-high 22 goals and 50 points in 2023-24, he regressed to a combined 11 goals and 25 points split between the Flames and Philadelphia Flyers.
Farabee managed just three goals and six points in 31 games with the Flames, which won’t cut it for a player commanding $5 million per season. That said, having some time to get settled into Calgary and have a full training camp with his new team should help him tremendously.
Morgan Frost
Morgan Frost didn’t struggle on the same level as Farabee after being acquired from the Flyers, but he wasn’t nearly as impactful as everyone had hoped. The 26-year-old centreman had just three goals and 12 points in 32 outings after arriving in Calgary.
The Flames traded for Frost in hopes of addressing their lack of depth at centre, and were hoping he could produce some offence in a top-nine role. That didn’t happen this past season, though, like Farabee, being more comfortable in his new surroundings come 2025-26 should help.
Blake Coleman
Perhaps expectations heading into 2024-25 were too high for Blake Coleman, who was entering the season fresh off a career-high 30-goal, 54-point season. Those totals regressed drastically, as he found the back of the net just 15 times while adding 24 helpers.
Coleman wasn’t bad by any stretch in 2024-25. In fact, his totals were more consistent with the type of player he’s been for the majority of his career. On a Flames team that struggled to put the puck in the back of the net this past season, however, they could really use the version of him that we witnessed in 2023-24.
Connor Zary
The 2024-25 season was a frustrating one for Connor Zary, though certainly to no fault of his own. The 23-year-old missed a total of 28 games due to two separate knee injuries, both of which appeared very scary in real time.
Zary played relatively well when in the lineup, scoring 13 goals and 27 points. Now set to enter his third season, however, the Flames are relying on him to take a big step forward from an offensive standpoint.
Rasmus Andersson
Another big disappointment this past season was the play of Rasmus Andersson. The veteran blueliner had the third-worst plus-minus rating in the NHL this past season (-38) and managed just 31 points through 81 outings.
Of course, it’s unknown whether or not Andersson will still be a part of the Flames when the 2025-26 season kicks off, but if he is, they’ll need him to be a lot better. He’s certainly capable of it, as we’ve seen him play some great hockey over the course of his 536-game career.
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