10 Predictions for the Calgary Flames in 2026/27

The motto in 2026/27 for the Flames should be clear: prioritize the youth and the future of the organization, as a potential return to the post-season relies entirely on the development of players 23-years-old and younger.

Last season, we saw the arrival of Zayne Parekh and Matvei Gridin, and with players like Hunter Brzustewicz, Jonathan Castagna and Abram Wiebe all potentially pushing for a role this season, there's plenty of room for improvement with this team.

However, the focus of this prediction is on Gridin and Parekh, as well as recent acquisition Simon Nemec, and while none will break into superstardom this season, with freedom and significant opportunities, all three should end this season with a new career high in points.

9. Flames Add a Surprise, NHL Ready Name at the Deadline

The last few years, the Flames have been busy at the trade deadline, but for the most part, they've been acquiring draft capital and young prospects in exchange for veterans that simply don't fit their timeline. However, this off-season, the Flames added young, NHL ready defenseman Simon Nemec, a former No. 2 overall draft pick, and given their timeline, it's likely not going to stop for General Manager Craig Conroy.

Whether that's a forward with NHL experience such as Shane Wright, Kent Johnson or another name or a surprise player at a different position, only time will tell, but given how intentional Conroy has been during his tenure thus far, he could take a measured risk at the deadline.

As of right now, it's very tough to predict just who this will be, as circumstances around the NHL could change in the next few months, and with so much draft capital and some key veterans to dangle, don't be shocked to see the team make another shock move.

8. Goaltending Tandem Ranks Top-10 in the NHL

Last season, the Flames pre-season saw several backup options struggle, but when regular season hockey began, Devin Cooley absolutely starred, posting a career year and even outplaying Dustin Wolf, who had an average campaign by his own standards.

However, Wolf has shown the ability to adjust and adapt early in his NHL career, and if he can do that in 2026/27, there's no reason why the Wolf-Cooley tandem couldn't be top-10 in the entire National Hockey League.

Whether or not both remain in Calgary beyond the trade deadline, we'll address later in this article, but in Cooley and Wolf, the team have two goaltenders with plenty to prove and the talent to back it up, so once again, expect this to be the brightest spot for the Flames this season.

7. Flames Secure Their First Ever Top-Three Draft Pick

Last season, the Flames finished 29th in the National Hockey League standings, but with lottery luck once again going against them, the team picked No. 6 overall, landing talented defenseman Carson Carels in the process. In 2026/27 however, the team are expected to struggle mightily, and whether or not lottery luck is on their side, if the team is going to be as bad as most expect, they're in a prime position to land the first ever top-three pick in franchise history.

With a player like Landon DuPont waiting, getting some lottery luck for the first time in 2027 would be lucky for Calgary, but if they don't end up in the top position, the 2027 draft class is one loaded with centres and forward talent.

As history tells us, this organization could drastically disappoint by making an unnecessary push, but with a major lack of experienced, elite level talent, don't be shocked to see the Flames in a prime position to add such a player in next years draft.

6. Matt Coronato Hits a Career Milestone

For the past several years, fans and analysts around the Flames organization have named Matt Coronato as a future 30-goal scorer, and after netting 24 in 77 games of his first full rookie season, he took a step back with just 18 a season ago.

In 2026/27 however, he'll have stability for the first time in his career, and if he's placed on a line with Matvei Gridin and Morgan Frost, he will have the opportunity for his offensive upside to finally be prioritized, and it should result in the first 30 goal campaign of his career.

As a result, Coronato is primed for the best season of his career just yet, and at 23-years-old, he's becoming an experienced member of this team, and with the youth movement expected to begin, taking a step forward will solidify him as a key leader and player of the future in Calgary.

5. Game No. 84 Features at Least Nine Players Under 22

There's been plenty of talk around the youth movement led by Craig Conroy in the General Manager role, and while the potential of this prospect pool is yet to be seen, there's reason for optimism in Calgary once again.

Only time will tell when each and every prospect will arrive in the NHL, but in the final game of the 2026/27 regular season, the Flames should feature at least nine players aged 22 or younger: Zayne Parekh, Matvei Gridin, Carson Carels, Cole Reschny, Cullen Potter, Ethan Wyttenbach, Hunter Brzustewicz, Jonathan Castagna and Aydar Suniev.

All of these players have differing levels of potential at the NHL level, and while not all will be in the lineup on opening night in 2027/28 due to potential development in the AHL, the final game in the Scotiabank SaddleDome should give fans a major glimpse into their future.

4. Flames Establish Their top Defensive Pairing of the Future

The most shocking moves of the Flames 2026 summer was the deal to acquire Simon Nemec from the New Jersey Devils, and while he hasn't been too productive in the NHL yet, he's still got the talent of a former No. 2 overall draft pick.

While their pairings have not yet been confirmed, the expectation is that Kevin Bahl and Nemec will be the Flames top pairing, and given the defensive responsibility of Bahl and the offensive upside of Nemec, this could be one of the most intriguing duos the Flames have had in recent times.

They may never become a top tier pairing in the National Hockey League, but this is a duo that could blend together perfectly, and with Carson Carels expected to arrive later in the year to form a second pairing with Zayne Parekh, the top-four may be set after 2026/27 for years to come.

3. Calgary Flames Trade at Least Three Players at the Deadline

Coming into the last few seasons, the Flames have had obvious trade candidates, and over the past three seasons, they've traded the likes of Chris Tanev, Elias Lindholm, Noah Hanifin, Nikita Zadorov and during the 2025/26 season, they moved the last few pieces of that core, dealing Mackenzie Weegar, Nazem Kadri and Rasmus Andersson. This summer, the Flames moved Blake Coleman, and while there's no obvious players to move this season, the team need to continue dealing veterans as they look to add to the future of the organization.

As a result, there are several major candidates to trade, and by the time the trade deadline is over, we predict that Morgan Frost, Zach Whitecloud and Devin Cooley will all be dealt, with the Flames capitalizing on their value, while also considering moves for the likes of Joel Farabee and Yegor Sharangovich among others.

At some point, the team need to keep around valuable players as the organization look to start contending for the Stanley Cup Playoffs again, but for now, with several key pieces of the future expected to arrive across the next 18 months, the Flames should still be sellers at the trade deadline.

2. Matvei Gridin Leads the Flames in Scoring in his Second Season

Last season, there was very little to get excited about for the Flames until after the trade deadline, but after that, Head Coach Ryan Huska gave the youth an opportunity, and as a result, they thrived. This season, that needs to continue, and on the top line, the young trio of Matvei Gridin, Morgan Frost and Matt Coronato have an opportunity to become the best Flames line we've seen since the team last made the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

In 2025/26, it was Matt Coronato that led the Flames in scoring with just 45 points, but in 2026/27, it will be his linemate Matvei Gridin, who flashed immense potential with 4 goals and 16 points across his final 25 games a season ago.

Not only does he have the potential as a goal scorer, but Gridin showed his vision, hockey IQ and playmaking ability at both 5v5 and on the powerplay, and with significant PP1 time and top line minutes this season, don't be shocked to see him surpass 50 points and lead the team in scoring.

1. Calgary Flames Secure No. 32 Overall in the NHL Standings

Last season, the Calgary Flames started slow and things simply got worse as the year went on, and with the decision to trade Mackenzie Weegar, Nazem Kadri and Rasmus Andersson, the team finished with the fourth worst record in the National Hockey League.

That netted them the No. 6 overall pick following some bad luck in the lottery, but in 2026/27, the team likely have their sights set on a much higher draft pick in a very centre-heavy 2027 NHL Draft. The possibility becomes even more likely when looking at the overall talent on this Flames roster, and while there's some exciting young players on this team, there's simply a lack of elite level players that can help the team succeed in the near future.

What that will lead to is this team being one of, if not the worst in the National Hockey League, and if the team decide to move on from the likes of Morgan Frost and Zach Whitecloud, this could be the worst finish in the history of the Calgary Flames franchise.