Prediction for how many games before we celebrate the first win of the season ??
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Monday Mailbag: Commemorating Thanksgiving with reader questions
Happy Thanksgiving weekend, everybody!
The Calgary Flames have yet to post a win this season – it is what it is – but there’s a lot going on around the organization, much of it more positive than the current on-ice results. So as we get ready for the rematch on Tuesday with Anaheim, let’s check in with our readers in this week’s Monday Mailbag!
Head coach Ryan Huska mentioned after Saturday night’s loss to Anaheim that it was their best game to date, and I agree. Now, the Flames played two really good periods and one much less good one. We’re at the point where we’re thinking “Okay, if they play a strong 60, they could probably win.” Heck, a good 40 when they can bury their chances might get them there.
A more complete game or being more opportunistic offensively probably gets them over the line. I’m thinking it could happen on Tuesday in Anaheim, to be honest.
Ryan way too early I know, but what do the Flames do if they win the lottery and DuPont is still the number one ranked prospect? Local kid they would surely draft. Do they try and trade HB or SN for a young c?
As of right now, I think if the Flames won the draft lottery and were slated to draft first overall in the 2027 NHL Draft, they would draft Landon DuPont and then figure out the rest later. As much as I can understand the “Oh no, too many right-shot defenceman!” anxiety… you stockpile the best assets you possibly can, and then figure out the rest later.
In the chase we learned that Huska changed the defensive coverage. What might these changes be, are the current defensive woes related to the change, and how long can we expect growing pains?
To be honest, I noticed that too, and I’m still wrapping my head around it. So far, I think it’s more man-on-man and a bit less zone coverage in the defensive zone, but I’m not fully convinced that I grasp the system myself yet.
Do you think the Flames have been in contact with Detroit for Simon Edvinsson? Flames using theor draft capital to build the d-line of the future.
I’m sure the Flames have checked in on prices to remain appraised on what certain types of players are going for, but I think they spent their “adding a young NHL defenceman” assets on bringing in Simon Nemec.
Do you think Huska’s job security is more dependent on team success or of the development of young players like Nemec and Parekh?
Is it time for Huska to go? He refuses to play the kids and buy into the rebuild
Is Ryan Huska on the hot seat?
In the context of the rebuild, Ryan Huska’s primary job is to help the kids progress. Now, I wouldn’t say that winning is the objective necessarily, but it’s hard for kids to progress when they’re losing and chasing in games all the time. So there’s a balancing act between leaning on veterans to keep the team competitive within games, and giving key reps to younger players to help them learn and grow. So far, I think he’s given a lot of young players big opportunities – Sam Honzek, Matvei Gridin, Matt Coronato, Yan Kuznetsov and Zayne Parekh are big pieces of the team right now, for example.
I don’t think the Flames are going to panic over five games. But if the games are primarily one-sided and it’s hurting development opportunities, even given the context of how the roster is built, then something might need to be changed. I don’t think we’re there yet, and I think Huska has a good amount of runway left.
I recently learned the Flames name is actually related to the American civil war but don't know the story. Wondering if you do?
The Atlanta Flames were so named by owner Tom Cousins in reference to General William T. Sherman’s burning of the city during his march to the sea during the American Civil War in 1864. To borrow a line from Sherman’s memoirs: “Behind us lay Atlanta, smouldering and in ruins, the black smoke rising high in air, and hanging like a pall over the ruined city.” I think the idea was naming the team after Sherman’s burning of the city would commemorate the city’s resilience and rebirth after the Civil War.
After the move to Calgary, majority owner Nelson Skalbania told the media he thought they should keep the Flames name, but also called for a week-long “name the team” contest, with names suggested by season ticket-holders being vetted by a committed chaired by minority owner Norman Kwong. The club was officially anointed the Calgary Flames in early June, after earning the majority of the votes.
While not cited at the time, it was sort of appropriate: there was a great fire in Calgary in 1886 that destroyed much of downtown’s wooden buildings and led to the adoption of sandstone as a preferred building material.
What made Middleton a fan favorite in Minnesota, and when will we see it? Much rather see Middleton waived and Parekh play with Whitecloud
Wild fans loved Jake Middleton because he was a pretty fun third-pairing defender who had a great personality that came across through the local media, a cool moustache, and he generally came across as a good dude and a great teammate. He hasn’t been great yet in Calgary, but it’s been five games. Let’s see how he settles in.
What are some Wranglers players (outside of the Zary and Pahal) and games you are looking forward to watching this year?
To name-drop some players that I’m watching the Wranglers to see how they grow: Hunter Brzustewicz, Abram Wiebe, Tyson Gross, Andrew Basha, Kirill Zarubin and Arsenii Sergeev. And that’s just the younger group.
As a Flames fan. Can you tell me everything is going to be okay?
It’s a rebuild. Some big portions of the next season (or two) might be rough. But, to steal a phrasing from Moneyball: “This is a process. It’s a process. It’s a process.” There’s going to be some patience needed as the team navigates the emergence of their future core.
The Flames got through the Young Guns era. They got through “Save the Flames.” They’ll get through this.
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Breaking News
- Monday Mailbag: Commemorating Thanksgiving with reader questions
- Recap: Wranglers fall in back and forth battle against Condors in their first loss of the season
- Putting the Flames’ tough start into historical context
- Beyond the Boxscore: Flames give fans something to cheer about despite 4-2 loss to the Ducks
- Flames still in search of their first win despite a good showing against Anaheim
Calgary FlamesTeam Cap Summary
Cap Summary
2026-27
2027-28
Projected Cap Hit
$89,682,143
$69,841,666
Projected Cap Space
$14,317,857
$43,658,334
Current Cap Space
$15,261,892
$43,658,334
Active Players
23/23
16/23
Draft Picks
Round
'27
'28
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
2
1