Calgary Flames players facing the most pressure in 2026–27

With the 2026–27 NHL season on the horizon, let’s take a look at the Calgary Flames players who will be under the most pressure during the season.

Connor Zary

After showing top-six upside early in his career, Connor Zary took a noticeable step backward in 2025–26. In 74 games, he recorded just 12 goals and 13 assists for 25 points. Additionally, his average ice time dropped to 14:22 per game. Head coach Ryan Huska also frequently shuffled Zary between centre and wing. According to Zary’s end-of-season interview, the Flames’ coaching staff does not seem to be on the same page as him. For Zary to succeed in 2026–27, the coaching staff needs to define a fixed role for him.

Flames management also may not see Zary as a long-term fit for the club. As reported by Pat Steinberg, the Flames were quietly shopping Zary this offseason. However, there hasn’t been a lot of interest from other teams. Because of this, there will be major pressure on Zary in 2026–27 to rebuild his value.

Morgan Frost

In July 2027, Morgan Frost is set to become an unrestricted free agent for the first time. The 2026–27 season will be the most critical contract year of his career. In 2025–26, Frost led the Flames in goals with 22. Additionally, Frost has scored 55 points in 114 games for the Flames since they acquired him from Philadelphia in early 2025. While solid, his offensive game has lacked the game-breaking consistency expected of a top-six centre.

If he wants to command a long-term, lucrative extension, he must elevate his play beyond a complementary scoring option. Some of the Flames’ top prospects will be pushing for centre reps soon. Frost needs to show that he can be an impactful 2C or a high-end 3C who drives play for the Flames to even think of giving him a sizeable contract.

Simon Nemec

GM Craig Conroy gave up a steep package to acquire Simon Nemec. Because of this, Nemec faces immediate pressure to show that he can play top-four minutes. He needs to translate his raw offensive instincts into a complete, reliable package. Nemec is coming off a solid 2025–26 campaign in New Jersey. He put up 11 goals and logged nearly 20 minutes of ice time per game. In 2026–27, the Flames expect Nemec to play heavy minutes right away and to be an integral part of their power play.

Samuel Honzek

Former first-round pick Samuel Honzek is yet to establish himself as a full-time NHL player, partly due to injuries. His performance in the 2026–27 season will be crucial in determining whether or not he will be a major part of the Flames’ future. Honzek showed promise early in 2025–26 before a season-ending injury in November sidelined him for the remainder of the year. Now that he is fully cleared to enter training camp, Honzek faces immense pressure to stay healthy and lock down a permanent roster spot. With Calgary’s prospect pool deepening, 2026–27 is the year Honzek must prove he is a cornerstone piece of the Flames’ future rather than an injury-plagued question mark.

Jonathan Huberdeau

No player in Calgary faces a unique brand of pressure quite like Jonathan Huberdeau. He is locked into an immovable $10.5M cap hit through 2030–31. After showing brief flashes of his old self with a 28-goal effort in 2024–25, a persistent hip issue derailed Huberdeau’s 2025–26 campaign. He put up just 10 goals and 15 assists for 25 points in 50 games before opting for season-ending hip resurfacing surgery in March. Now, Huberdeau is fully rehabilitated and set to enter training camp healthy. The pressure is on if he wants to avoid another ranking as the worst contract in the NHL for the fourth straight season.

Conclusion

The 2026–27 season for the Flames will be defined less by win-loss records and more by individual accountability. For veterans like Frost and Huberdeau, the pressure stems from proving their worth. For young pieces like Zary, Nemec, and Honzek, the heat is on to secure their places in the franchise’s long-term blueprint.