3 interesting Calgary Flames training camp battles to keep an eye on
The Calgary Flames won’t look a whole lot different when they hit the ice for the 2025-26 season.
The Flames made little changes in the offseason, signing just one potential NHLer in goaltender Ivan Prosvetov. He, of course, was brought in to help make up for the loss of Dan Vladar, who signed a two-year deal with the Philadelphia Flyers.
Aside from that one addition, most of the bodies on the Flames roster for the 2025-26 season figure to be returning players, though there are a few prospects who will have an opportunity as well. With that said, let’s take a look at a few battles we can expect to see next month.
1. Goaltending battle
One of the most intriguing storylines of training camp is going to be who winds up taking the backup role to Dustin Wolf. That position was Vladar’s in 2024-25, and felt like it would go to Devin Cooley following his departure. Now, that may not be the case.
The Flames wound up signing Prosvetov to a one-year, one-way contract for $950,000 this offseason. The 26-year-old has struggled in 24 career NHL appearances to date, but had an excellent 2024-25 season playing for CSKA Moscow in the KHL. In 38 appearances, he posted a 2.32 GAA and a .920 SV%.
As for Cooley, he has even less NHL experience but is better known by those within the Flames organization. He was arguably the MVP of the AHL through the first half of the 2024-25 season, before seeing his play dip tremendously afterward. As of now, he looks to be the slight underdog in this competition, but could earn himself a roster spot with a good training camp.
2. Blue line spots up for grabs
Another very interesting thing for fans to keep an eye on in training camp is the blue line situation. While the likes of MacKenzie Weegar, Rasmus Andersson, Kevin Bahl, and Joel Hanley are all sure to have big roles this coming season, things aren’t as cut and dry for the others in the fold.
Given that he’s set to be in the first year of a two-year extension, Brayden Pachal will likely have the opportunity to be an everyday defenceman for the Flames this coming season. Jake Bean also has a year remaining on his contract, but his struggles could see him spend more time in the press box in 2025-26. The same could be said for Daniil Miromanov, who by no means is a lock to crack the Flames roster.
That’s where things get particularly interesting. Zayne Parekh has a great opportunity to start the season in the NHL, while the likes of Ilya Solovyov, Yan Kuznetsov, and even Hunter Brzustewicz can’t be counted out.
3. Fourth line centre
Unless an addition is brought in before the season begins, the Flames currently have only three players locked in to play down the middle in Nazem Kadri, Mikael Backlund, and Morgan Frost. It remains a bit of a mystery to see who will wind up receiving that fourth and final spot to begin the season.
Martin Pospisil has experience down the middle and has the physicality that seemingly makes him a fit for the fourth line, though his speed is also valued on the wing. Justin Kirkland is another option, though it remains to be seen whether he can be effective as he was in a limited showing in 2024-25.
It will be fun to see if a prospect such as Rory Kerins, or perhaps even Sam Morton, is able to take the reins in training camp and make it impossible to be sent down to the AHL. The spot is certainly up for grabs should they step up and earn it.