It’s been another disappointing season for the Flames, who sit 12th in the Western Conference with a .500 record and are down to a 19% chance of making the playoffs, per Hockey Reference. Early-season optimism around extending their many pending unrestricted free agents has now turned into trade discussions for most, already moving fan-favorite blueliner Nikita Zadorov out the door to the Canucks earlier this season.
The team has an extremely well-rounded offense with 11 players scoring over 20 points thus far, but they haven’t received top-end production from the higher-ups in their lineup. Blake Coleman and Nazem Kadri currently hold a tie for the team lead in points with 32, and their 30th-ranked power play certainly isn’t helping them in the goal-scoring department. They’ve slipped significantly in terms of limiting quality scoring chances against under first-year head coach Ryan Huska, too, leading to an uncharacteristically low 23rd-place defense despite a bounce-back year from starter Jacob Markström.
On track to miss the postseason for the second-straight season in the post-Johnny Gaudreau/Matthew Tkachuk era, it’s no surprise multiple Flames have found themselves in trade rumors regardless of their contract status. GM Craig Conroy commented on what’s unfolded thus far and what we can expect to see from the Flames in the coming months in an interview with The Athletic’s Eric Duhatschek published Wednesday morning. Asked about whether the Flames would go full scorched-earth at the trade deadline and ship out multiple high-caliber names without immediate replacements, the first-year manager expressed hesitancy.
“There is a balance between short- and long-term,” said Conroy. “You don’t know what you’re going to get for certain assets that you have — or what’s to come. Or maybe somebody here wants to re-sign with you. All those things are still out there… You want to get your young guys in, but you want to put them in an environment with some veteran guys that can show them how the NHL works. Because there’s going to be ups and downs with the (Connor) Zarys, the (Martin) Pospisils and the Dustin Wolfs.”
Reading between the lines, it’s clear Conroy isn’t chomping at the bit to give the keys to the team’s rookies just yet. Zary, namely, has had quite an impressive stint since being recalled from the AHL early in the season, posting nine goals and 21 points in 31 games while assuming top-six minutes and tying for fourth on the team in goals. But this is the 22-year-old’s first run in the NHL, and it’s been an injury-plagued and inconsistent development path for the 2020 24th overall pick. Conroy reiterated his desire to not let major assets walk for nothing, and players like top-line center Elias Lindholm and defenseman Noah Hanifin will still likely find new homes by March 8, but his approach for the future allows the Flames to take money back in those deals in the form of serviceable veterans.
However, what Conroy’s retool plan means for Wolf is less clear. A couple of teams have called about Markström, per a report Tuesday night from The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta, but the Flames haven’t been shopping him. The 33-year-old has two seasons remaining after this with a $6M cap hit and a no-movement clause, meaning whether a deal comes to fruition is entirely out of Conroy’s control. Despite his menial 11-11-2 record, Markström’s advanced numbers are squarely back in the above-average territory this season with a .908 SV% and 10.3 goals saved above expected, per MoneyPuck. It’s not the form he displayed en route to his second-place Vezina Trophy finish in 2021-22, but his GSAx figure ranks ninth in the NHL at the time of writing. If the Flames still have the intention to try and return to the playoffs in the next few seasons with some personnel changes, it doesn’t make much sense to trade away a cost-effective top-ten goalie.
Wolf’s .930 SV% and four shutouts in 21 games with AHL Calgary this season speaks for itself, though, even if his short time in the NHL this year (five games played, 1-2-1 record, .893 SV%) wasn’t all that promising. He’s still just 22 years old and deserves a spot on the roster sooner rather than later. It would surprise no one to see Conroy aggressively step up efforts to move backup netminder Daniel Vladar, who’s been one of the worst in the league this season with a .883 SV% but an inexplicably higher points percentage than Markström with a 6-5-2 record in 13 appearances.
There’s plenty of time yet for the Flames, though, which have just under two months until the deadline. If they do intend on being active players, which seems like an accurate assessment by all accounts, Conroy needs the runway to form what will likely be multiple financially complex deals.
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The Edmonton Oilers came so close to winning a title this year, but they fell in the Stanley Cup Final once again. For the second straight season, Edmonton wasn't able to get over the hump and they now face some big questions going forward. The front office entered the offseason with the intent to upgrade the roster, but so far, that hasn't happened. The Oilers haven't done very much to improve the team, and they still have some glaring holes along the roster. Due to the inactivity, NHL writer Adam Gretz of Bleacher Report has given them a letter grade of "C" for the offseason. Gretz graded every NHL team on their summer so far, and the Oilers have fallen behind other teams. "The goaltending issues are still a glaring weakness here that needs to be addressed. The answer is not on the roster. The other big elephant in the room that needs to be addressed is the fact that Connor McDavid is entering the final year of his contract and no extension has been signed yet," Gretz wrote. As Gretz mentions, the situation around star Connor McDavid is something to keep an eye on. McDavid wants to win at the highest level, and he will be entering the final year of his contract. If the Oilers don't solve some of the roster issues, it could see McDavid potentially leave the organization next summer. Some around the league believe that McDavid will at least test free agency, to see what else could be out there. This puts even more pressure on the Oilers' front office to make some moves this offseason, with the fate of McDavid hanging in the balance. So far, the team hasn't done much, but there is still plenty of time to change the narrative around the summer.
Following the shocking news of Hulk Hogan’s passing, wrestling legend Dustin Rhodes, known to millions as Goldust in WWE, took to social media to share a deeply personal and provocative reaction: “Hospitals truly kill people. I really do mean that.” Rhodes’ blunt statement stunned many fans, but those who know his story saw the pain behind the words. His father, the iconic Dusty Rhodes, passed away in 2015, aged 69, after a fall at home led to hospitalization for kidney failure. After his father's passing, Dustin shared a contemplative response on WWE's YouTube channel to discuss the legacy his father left behind. The news of Hogan's death comes just a month after reports suggested he was on his "deathbed" after undergoing a neck procedure back in May. Hogan's reps denied that was the case. In June, US Weekly reported that Hogan had also undergone a "pretty serious heart surgery and was doing well afterward." Dustin’s connection to his brother Cody Rhodes, now a top WWE superstar and face of the company’s next generation, is unbreakable. The Rhodes family legacy is deeply woven into the fabric of pro wrestling history, and seeing another legend like Hogan pass has clearly hit close to home. While Goldust and Hulk Hogan never had a headline-grabbing rivalry, they did share the ring once. It occurred in WCW in 2000 when Dustin Rhodes matched up against Hogan. Although their paths didn’t often cross in the squared circle, Hogan and the Rhodes family were part of the same larger-than-life era that helped define pro wrestling for decades and catapult the sport into society's zeitgeist. Rhodes’ comment about hospitals might not sit well with everyone, but it speaks to a raw and honest pain felt by someone who has seen too many legends, both personal and professional, fade away in similar fashion. The sport of wrestling has endured more than its fair share of lives cut short. As tributes continue to pour in for Hogan, Rhodes’ reaction serves as a powerful, if somber, reminder of the real human emotions behind the wrestling personas.
It’s wild how quickly the NBA narrative can flip. A year ago, Zion Williamson was in every trade rumor possible. People were questioning his health, his work ethic, even his future in New Orleans. And the Pelicans? They didn’t really deny any of it. It felt like both sides were one step away from walking. But things have shifted this offseason — quietly, but clearly. The Pelicans could’ve pulled the plug. Zion’s contract gave them outs, and the trade market might’ve still brought back some real value. Instead, they stuck with him. And based on what one of their own just said, they’re not just keeping him around — they’re still betting big on him. In a recent interview with Spotrac’s Keith Smith, an anonymous Pelicans executive made it crystal clear. “Zion is still our guy. We’re all in on him. We think he’s going to have a huge year. We’ve had some bad injury luck and some things that just haven’t worked out. This partnership hasn’t even come close to reaching our best yet.” That’s not something you say if you’re halfway in. They backed it up with their offseason moves, too. They traded CJ McCollum and brought in Jordan Poole, a high-usage creator who can take pressure off Zion. They drafted Jeremiah Fears with the No. 7 pick, a dynamic young guard. They added Kevon Looney, a reliable veteran who brings playoff experience and toughness. Those aren’t tear-it-down moves — those are “let’s try this another way” moves. Of course, Zion’s health is still the question. That never really goes away. He played just 30 games last season, but in those games he looked solid: 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists per night on 56.7 percent shooting. The explosiveness was there. The playmaking was sharp. And the hope for New Orleans is that this time, he can finally sustain it. What’s interesting is how the front office is trying to create a better environment around him. Joe Dumars has stepped in to lead basketball operations and is reportedly building a closer relationship with Zion — dinners, real conversations, not just surface-level stuff. It feels like, for once, the team is trying to meet him halfway. It’s a risk, sure. But it’s a calculated one. The West is brutal and the margin for error is thin. Still, if Zion can stay healthy for 60 games, and if Poole finds a rhythm and guys like Trey Murphy and Herb Jones keep improving — this team has a shot to be in the mix. The quote from the exec says it all. They could’ve hit reset, moved on, cleaned house. But they didn’t. They’re still in. And now it’s on Zion to hold up his end of the deal. After everything that’s happened, they’re telling the world they still believe. Now it’s time to find out if they’re right.
On Thursday, wrestling icon Terry "Hulk Hogan" Bollea died at the age of 71. "WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away," the company said in a statement. "One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s... WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans." Hogan was the first true superstar to emerge in the wrestling industry, capturing a casual audience worldwide and bringing new eyes to the sport. He was an unbelievable draw, both as a baby face and as a heel. From his time as an All-American hero to leading the New World Order and teaming with Randy Savage as part of the "Mega Powers," he has been a staple of the scene for decades. Who can forget his WrestleMania III moment, where he defied the laws of physics to body-slam a 520-pound Andre the Giant? Or, more recently, his match with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson at WrestleMania 18? His last appearance on WWE RAW on Jan. 6 saw him booed throughout, highlighting the rocky legacy Hogan leaves behind. Hogan's universal popularity has plummeted in recent years, primarily due to a racism scandal that led to his removal from the Wrestling Hall of Fame, only to be reinstated in 2018. Nevertheless, the damage had been done. Hogan's outdated and unwelcome outlook on specific aspects of life derailed the final stanza of a legendary career. Still, there's no denying that without Hogan, the wrestling we know and love today wouldn't exist. There wouldn't be WWE on the world's largest streaming platform, or All Elite Wrestling, which is developing into one of the most successful challenger brands. Instead, there would be smaller, more localized promotions, all competing for a sliver of television time. Hogan popularized the sport by bridging the gap between the wrestling ring and Hollywood. During his time in the spotlight, Hogan appeared in movies such as "Rocky III," "No Holds Barred" and "Suburban Commando," all of which helped bring his larger-than-life persona to a new audience. It's no surprise, then, that The Rock, John Cena and Dave Bautista have all made similar jumps in recent years. Hogan leaves behind an everlasting imprint on the wrestling world. Unfortunately, it comes with multiple asterisks; however, that doesn't change what he achieved as the first global wrestling star.