The Calgary Flames organizational philosophy of trying to be as competitive as possible and push for a playoff spot has taken a seat on the bench for the next couple seasons. In its place is getting younger and player development.

The trades of Rasmus Andersson, MacKenzie Weegar and Nazem Kadri officially signalled to the NHL that the Flames are in a full-on rebuild.

So what does success look like for the Calgary Flames? Let’s take a look at some key outcomes that the fan base is going to want to see from this group next season.

This is by far and away the most important part of next season. The Flames key young players have to take a step forward in their development. And a lot of that comes down to Ryan Huska who holds all the power as he controls ice time, deployment, linemates, and role definition.

It’s going to be important for the Flames head coach to put Simon Nemec, Zayne Parekh, Matvei Gridin, Matt Coronato and Sam Honzek in key roles where they can have success.

Nemec needs to play top pairing minutes and have the freedom to make plays in the offensive zone.

Parekh should be quarterbacking the top power play unit and playing 18-20 minutes a night for the entire season.

Gridin is the most skilled forward on the NHL roster and he should be playing on the first line at 5-on-5, the top power play unit, and be first over the boards in 3-on-3 overtime.

Coronato can’t be a healthy scratch and placed all over the Flames lineup. He needs a defined role in the top six and on special teams like he did in the second half of the 2025-26 season.

Honzek has the potential to be a very good two-way forward. Playing him in a defensive role alongside Mikael Backlund could be key for his development.

If those five players take a step forward, the 2026-27 season would already be considered a success.

One thing we did not see enough of last season is giving players with the Wranglers a long look at the NHL level.

The 2026-27 season is all about development, experimentation, and figuring out what you have in the young players in the Flames system.

Rory Kerins played four games in the NHL last season. He likely would have got a longer look had he not got injured at the end of last season, but it would be great to see him play at least 15-20 games.

William Stromgren only played three games with an average ice time of only 7:17.

Brennan Othmann put up two points in two games with the Flames before being sent back to the AHL. It would be great to see him get an extended look on the Flames fourth line.

Aydar Suniev suited up six times for the Flames and progressed nicely. A 15-20 game run in the top nine would be good for his growth.

Tyson Gross, Sam Morton, and Jonathan Castagna are a few other Wranglers who should get a look at some point.

It’s easier said than done because of the amount of NHL players that are in the Flames organization at the moment. It’s on Craig Conroy to try to move out a couple bodies over the next few months to allow these young players to get a long look.

Craig Conroy has done an excellent job when it comes to asset management. Very few players with value on the trade market have left Calgary as an unrestricted free agent.

That needs to continue over the next two years.

The Flames need to get whatever they can for 2027 pending UFAs in Morgan Frost (if they decide to not re-sign him), Ryan Strome, Maxim Tsyplakov, Joel Hanley and Brayden Pachal.

Where it gets interesting is when you look at the Flames 2028 pending free agents. There are some valuable pieces Conroy could move out for more draft capital they can use to select players or trade for the next Simon Nemec.

Joel Farabee, Mikael Backlund, Connor Zary (RFA), Zach Whitecloud, and Devin Cooley will all have expiring contracts in 2028.

Could Conroy get more in a return for some of those players if the acquiring team knows they are getting them for at least two playoff runs?

Regardless, it’s key for the Flames to continue to cash in on some of their players who won’t be in Calgary for the long term.

The Flames are still missing an elite number one centre in the organization. It’s something we haven’t had in this city since Joe Nieuwendyk was traded in 1995.

And the easiest way to find that type of player is at the top of the NHL draft.

Finishing at the bottom of the standings will guarantee the Flames a top three pick in the 2027 draft. And there are some highly touted centres who will be available in the top three.

Nazar Privalov, Milan Sundstrom, Alexis Joseph, Carter Meyer, Sammy Nelson and Brock England are all players who are projected to go in the top 10.

The true prize is Maddox Schultz who is eligible for the 2028 draft. He is a superstar in the making with the Regina Pats. But we’ll get to that in a years time.

The 2026-27 season is going to be critical for the long term future of the Calgary Flames. They need to see their young core take another step forward in their development.

Off the ice the Flames need to secure another top draft pick to add another elite player to their already deep and talented prospect system. If those things happen, Flames fans will be very happy.