SportsHockeyFlames

Calgary Flames fans questioning Huska's lineup decisions with two young players set to sit

Colton Pankiw
Colton Pankiw
|
Oct 29 2025, 5:42 pm
Calgary Flames fans questioning Huska's lineup decisions with two young players set to sit
Sergei Belski/Imagn Images

Ryan Huska and the rest of his coaching staff are desperately trying to get the Calgary Flames back on track.

The Flames have gotten off to a horrendous start this season, going 2-8-1 thus far, giving them just five points through their first 11 outings. After missing the playoffs by just a single point in 2024-25, their postseason hopes this time around are quickly fading.

The rough start has resulted in some curious lineup decisions, perhaps none more so than on Sunday, when Matt Coronato sat as a healthy scratch versus the New York Rangers. It was assumed to be nothing more than a quick reset for the 22-year-old, who was back in the lineup on Tuesday versus the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Based on line combinations at practice on Wednesday morning, however, it appeared as though he might be in Huska’s doghouse.

Preparing for their next outing on Thursday night versus the Ottawa Senators, both Coronato and Zayne Parekh were skating as extras. This seemingly indicated that both would be out of the lineup.

Flames fans were quickly voicing their frustration over both decisions.

flames-fans

X

As it turns out, however, Coronato will be in the lineup on Thursday. Instead, it appears as though Connor Zary, who has just two points on the season, will instead be the odd man out up front versus the Senators.

Meanwhile, it appears as though Parekh is out of Thursday’s lineup as a result of being dinged up. It doesn’t sound as though it’s anything serious, but the Flames will be precautious and hold the 19-year-old defenceman out to give him some rest.

Whether it was simply a decoy or perhaps a last-second change, Coronato will continue to remain in the lineup. Meanwhile, Adam Klapka, who was a healthy scratch versus the Leafs, will draw back in. As for the back end, Brayden Pachal will suit up after sitting the last six outings as a healthy scratch.

ADVERTISEMENT