Calgary Flames are well ahead of schedule on rebuild

The Calgary Flames are in a playoff spot past the midway point of the 2024-25 season.

Thanks to a recent three-game win streak, the Flames have surpassed the Vancouver Canucks and sit in a wild-card position. It’s been an impressive run for a team that was expected to finish at the bottom of the standings.

Despite the success, the reaction from the fan base has been mixed. Some are excited at how competitive this group is, while others are frustrated that this strong first half could prevent the Flames from picking early in the 2025 draft.

The frustration from those fans is warranted, given that this team was believed to be entering a rebuild after moving on from several veterans such as Nikita Zadorov, Elias Lindholm, Chris Tanev, Noah Hanifin, Jacob Markstrom, and Andrew Mangiapane. That said, the strong play from this group in 2024-25 may be more of an indication that this rebuilding phase is simply coming together quicker than anybody had envisioned.

While it doesn’t look like the Flames will have a high pick in the first round this year, everything else is going to plan as far as the rebuilding era is concerned.

One big thing fans wanted to see this year is the organization’s top prospects get looks and excel in them. So far, so good on that front.

Flames youth has arrived

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Matt Coronato has burst onto the scene this season, as his 10 goals and 23 points through 38 games rank third amongst all Flames. After some bumps in the road during his rookie season in 2023-24, he’s quickly transitioning into a true game-breaker for this team.

“He’s been really consistent for the majority of his games. I don’t know if it was his best night, because it’s kind of what we expect out of him now,” head coach Ryan Huska said this past Saturday following a 2-1 win over the LA Kings in which Coronato had a goal and an assist. “He’s been a really good player for us, and he’s continuing to elevate his game.”

Another young player who seems to be finding his stride is Jakob Pelletier. The 23-year-old was placed on waivers before the season began but has had a regular role in the lineup since being recalled in December. Monday night versus the Chicago Blackhawks was his best NHL game to date, as he finished with two goals and three points in what was a 5-2 win.

Meanwhile, Connor Zary was making tremendous strides in his second season before recently suffering a knee injury, while other young players such as Kevin Bahl, Martin Pospisil, and even the recently recalled Rory Kerins are quickly making names for themselves.

The obvious best of the bunch has been Dustin Wolf. After spending the vast majority of his first three professional seasons in the AHL, the 23-year-old earned an opportunity with the Flames right out of training camp and is proving all the hype surrounding him was well warranted.

“He’s very focused, he’s very driven,” Flames GM Craig Conroy said about Wolf on Flames Talk with Pat Steinberg. “I’ve been fortunate to be around lots of great goaltenders, whether it was Grant Fuhr, Patrick Roy, Mike Vernon, [Miikka Kiprusoff]. They have a way they do things. They’re all different, Patty’s more fiery, Grant’s very laid back, I think Mike Vernon’s in the middle, Kipper’s quiet but he’s got a fire in him too. Mentally, they were all very strong … [Wolf] has that mindset.”

Wolf has appeared in 23 games this season, posting a 2.50 GAA along with a .916 SV% and a 15-6-2 record. He’s in the running for the Calder Trophy and is quickly proving that he is the long-term solution between the pipes for the Flames.

Huberdeau has been revived

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One dark cloud that hung over the Flames in their goal of rebuilding was the struggles of Jonathan Huberdeau. The 31-year-old is in just the second year of an eight-year, $84 million deal that carries a cap hit of $10.5 million. Many had deemed it the worst contract in the NHL after two seasons in which he hit only 55 and 52 points.

Huberdeau has improved his game dramatically, as his 18 goals have already surpassed those he scored in his first two seasons with the Flames. While some may argue that this doesn’t justify his lucrative salary, he’s proving he is still a very good NHLer.

Huberdeau’s current level of play bodes well for the Flames’ rebuild. His salary and prior struggles would have made it very hard for this team to turn things around with his money on the books. However, if he can continue this production level moving forward, that problem will no longer exist.

Flames have some great prospects

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While Flames fans have been able to witness some great jumps from young players this season, there are many more in the pipeline who could soon begin making an impact. Zayne Parekh, Samuel Honzek, Hunter Brzustewicz, and Matvei Gridin have been rightfully discussed on many occasions, but they are far from the only exciting prospects this organization has.

Players such as Henry Mews, Etienne Morin, William Stromgren, Jacob Battaglia, Aydar Suniev, Luke Misa, and Arseni Sergeev have all made huge jumps this season and could all be pushing for NHL spots in the next few years.

The Flames may not end up with a high pick this year, but make no mistake; this rebuild is very much on the right track.

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