The Calgary Flames Busy November and PR Nightmare

The Calgary Flames had themselves a busy November. Overall, they wrapped up the month with a 7–6–2 record after losing to the Carolina Hurricanes 1–0 in overtime. This loss doesn’t define the month. The endless trade rumours, Nazem Kadri’s 1000th game celebration and Sam Honzek’s season-ending injury. There were plenty of off-ice antics to keep fans entertained as well. Don Maloney let fans know that there is no reason to hope for a fire sale. When public perception went south, the Craig Conroy extension announcement came in to throw a little water on the fire. Depending on how you look at it, this may have been an excellent month for Calgary. Is it a glass half full or half empty?

The elephant in the room 

Normally, I like to start with the positive. However, there is no way to avoid President of Hockey Ops, Don Maloney’s interviews. Maloney did an intermission interview with Brendan Parker and doubled down on it with an interview with Eric Francis. 

Holy disconnect. For the President of Hockey Operations to get on and say there is “no appetite” for a rebuild and there’s no change in plans or mentality after their abysmal start is beyond tone deaf. Maloney set a new standard. Going forward, this is something that needs to be addressed in crisis comms and public relations classes across North America. 

This team hasn’t made the playoffs in three years and is currently a bottom-feeder. In what world, then, are they a playoff-contending team? The rose coloured glasses have to come off. The delusion has reached new heights. For a team that is so worried about becoming the Buffalo Sabres, they’re doing a great job heading that direction. 

There’s a new taxpayer-funded arena being built, with doors slated to be opened for the 2027–28 season. Would you rather be tough to watch now and be rewarded with a star player like Gavin McKenna or bring over the “win and get in” mentality that has gotten you nowhere in 20-some odd years? 

Much to think about.

After this oddly timed interview, the organization then announced it had extended the entire front office, including Don Maloney, for another two years. General Manager Craig Conroy and Assistant General Manager Brad Pascall have put in the work to move the team forward. Unfortunately, Maloney and Dave Nonis are not anywhere near the same page, and their mentality is likely holding back the team. 

Fans have questions about Conroy’s adequacy. When he came in, he had a decade-plus-old mess to clean up. His vision has not changed. He knows the team is going to have to build through the draft and trades. Out of everyone extended, I will say, Conroy has had the odds completely stacked against him. Ultimately, his voice and drafting abilities are crucial to the organization. 

A very Calgary Flames-like month

Nazem Kadri celebrated his 1000th NHL game on November 5th against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He was rewarded with the iconic silver stick along with a $50,000 check for the Nazem Kadri Foundation to support mental health initiatives. Kadri returned the favour with special gifts for his teammates.