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FN Report Cards: Joel Farabee bounced back in a big way
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Photo credit: © Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
Robert Munnich
Apr 28, 2026, 16:00 EDTUpdated: Apr 28, 2026, 11:49 EDT
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The Calgary Flames were looking to get more out of Joel Farabee heading into the 2025-26 season. They acquired Farabee alongside his friend and Flyers teammate Morgan Frost last season with the short and long term in mind. In the short term, help get the Flames in the playoffs. And in the long term, become good middle six forwards for at least the next few years.
He wasn’t able to help his team get in the playoffs last season. However, he was able to turn things around this season and showed that he has the potential to be a long term fit with the Flames.
Let’s dive into his season.

Expectations

Flames fans didn’t know what to expect from Farabee.
The Syracuse, New York native was a pretty productive player for his first five seasons in Philadelphia. From 2019-20 to 2023-24, Farabee averaged a 45 point pace over 82 games. Solid production for a middle six winger.
But he took a major step back in 2024-25. In his 50 games with the Flyers, he put up 19 points.
His point totals took an even bigger hit when he joined the Flames putting up only 6 points in 31 games. His lack of production was one of the big reasons why Calgary missed the playoffs via a tiebreaker with the St. Louis Blues.
Which Farabee were the Flames going to get in 2025-26? The 45 point player in Philly? Or the one who struggled mightily to produce in Calgary?
Based off what I saw from Farabee to finish last season, I was worried that he wasn’t going to be able to bounce back. He played hard in the final 31 games of the season in Calgary, but there was very little production to back it up. Was he going to be able to get back to being the player Calgary had hoped they acquired?
The good news for the Flames and their fans is that we saw the old Farabee this season. He looked like a completely different player and person this season. Joining a new team in the middle of a campaign isn’t easy. It takes time to adjust to your new teammates, city, and systems the coaching staff wants you to play. It took some time for Farabee to get comfortable in his new surroundings, but once he got settled in, he started to play some good hockey.

Performance

Farabee turned into one of, if not the most consistent and impactful forward on the Calgary Flames this season.
Offensively, Farabee hit the 20 goal mark for the third time in his career which is an impressive accomplishment when you consider the fact that he did it on a Flames team that was dead last in the NHL in goals scored (208). Another thing to keep in mind is that Farabee, like most of his teammates, was incredibly snake bitten to start the year. Farabee consistently produced scoring high end scoring chances but could not bury them. Had he had some better finishing luck, he could have easily scored 25 goals.
One of the more underrated parts of Farabee’s season was his 200 foot game. Farabee impacted the Flames in all three zones, at 5-on-5, and on special teams where played an integral role on the penalty kill. Farabee scored three shorthanded goals which was tied for 6th in the NHL. He also blocked 52 shots, the most among forwards on the Flames.
Farabee proved that he has the potential to be an important middle six winger in Calgary for a long time, and someone who could help replace Blake Coleman when he is traded between now and the 2027 deadline.

Outlook

Farabee is under contract for another two seasons before becoming an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2028 at the age of 28.
There are two scenarios that can happen with the Flames and Farabee. Both are positive.
Farabee can play out the remainder of his contract, continue to play important minutes and provide leadership to a young team, and ultimately become a valuable trade asset for Conroy. Farabee’s $5.5 million salary will not be an issue in 2028 with the rising salary cap and because Farabee has rebuilt his value after a tough 2024-25 season.
The other scenario is the Flames re-sign Farabee to a long term contract extension. I see Farabee playing a role similar to what Blake Coleman has provided during his five years in Calgary. Be a 35-45 point middle six winger who can play a solid 200 foot game and provide leadership to a young, up and coming team.
The Flames need to transition their leadership core from older players to younger players. Farabee could be a major part of that group if he wants to stay in Calgary.
Letter Grade: B+
I give a ton of credit to Farabee for turning his game around this season. He went from a guy who struggled to make an impact in 2024-25, to becoming a very important member of the Flames moving forward.

Highlights

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