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Weekend Open Thread: Pre-Season Dread or Optimism?

We’re roughly a month from the beginning of the NHL’s pre-season schedule and six weeks or so before the regular season. The off-season is winding down.
This week’s Weekend Open Thread poses a simple question: Based on the moves the Calgary Flames have made, are you full of dread or optimism about the upcoming season?
Reasons for dread include: the departures of Lee Stempniak and Mike Cammalleri, the acquisition of Deryk Engelland, and the general sense that the team may struggle to score goals.
Reasons for optimism include: the continued emergence of the young prospects, the acquisitions of Mason Raymond and Jonas Hiller (giving the team a big upgrade in net), and the prospect of getting a really good draft choice such as Jack Eichel, Connor McDavid or Noah Hanifin.
What dominates for you? Dread or optimism?
Breaking News
- A recap of the 9 prospects the Flames selected at the 2026 NHL Draft
- Flames are betting on Joe Iginla’s potential, not his past performance
- Flames select defender Bode Laylin at 164th overall in the 2026 NHL Draft
- Flames select forward Simon Katolicky at 132nd overall in the 2026 NHL Draft
- Flames select forward Egor Barabanov at 100th overall in the 2026 NHL Draft
