4 key factors that will determine if the Calgary Flames make playoffs
The Calgary Flames are a tricky team to project as we prepare for the 2025-26 NHL season.
This was a team that at this point last year was pegged by many analysts to finish near the bottom of the NHL standings. Instead, they wound up tied in points with the St. Louis Blues for the final wild-card position,Ā narrowly missing out on the playoffs due to having fewer regulation wins.
Now, the fan base is split into two different groups; those who want to see the Flames tank in hopes of drafting Gavin McKenna, and those who are hoping to see them get into the playoffs after coming as close as possible a season ago. These four storylines heading into the season will play a big factor in either of those outcomes becoming true.
Can Wolf put himself into the elite category?
Dustin Wolf proved to everybody in Calgary last season that he is the real deal. The 24-year-old posted a 2.64 GAA and a .910 SV percentage in 53 appearances, numbers that were good enough to warrant him a second-place finish in Calder Trophy voting. The Flames brass seem to believe he’s the real deal, too, as they signed him to a seven-year, $52.5 million deal on Tuesday.
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While Wolf has gotten the attention of many in the hockey world, he’ll need to put forth another strong season to start being considered one of the best in the business. If he can perform at a similar or even better rate than 2024-25, the Flames will have a great shot at sneaking into the postseason.
Huberdeau looking to carry momentum forward
After a disastrous first two seasons in Calgary, Jonathan Huberdeau was much improved in 2024-25. His 28 goals were the second-highest total of his career and ranked second in team scoring, as did his 62 points. The numbers still pale in comparison to what he produced with the Florida Panthers, but it was a step in the right direction.
The one cause for concern moving forward is that the 2024-25 season saw Huberdeau put up a career-high shooting percentage of 18.3. Prior to that, his best conversion rate was 16.4 per cent in 2020-21, while his career-high 30-goal season in 2021-22 saw him convert on 13.5 per cent of his shots.
Will Andersson be traded?
What could help those on the side of Team Tank in a big way (dependent on the return) is if the Flames wind up trading Rasmus Andersson. Despite his struggles last season, losing him would cause a major hole on the back end that would be extremely difficult to overcome.
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While it feels likely that Andersson’s days in Calgary are numbered, GM Craig Conroy hasn’t closed the door on a return. If the Flames are pushing for a playoff spot by the trade deadline, it’s possible they elect to hold onto him, even if that isn’t the best decision for their long-term goals.
What type of impact does Parekh make?
One player Flames fans will be monitoring very closely throughout training camp is Zayne Parekh. He’s not eligible to play in the NHL this coming season, which gives him a great opportunity to crack the Flames roster.
Should he do so, the question will be what type of impact Parekh can have. The right-shot defenceman has dominated offensively in the OHL the past two seasons, and has all the tools to become an NHL star. That said, it’s a big jump for a young player to make, and it could take him some time, particularly on the defensive side, to get a feel for things.