The Calgary Flames’ veterans have struggled heavily to start the 2025-26 season

It is no secret that the Calgary Flames have been struggling to open their 2025–26 season. Multiple reasons have contributed to this. From a lack of offence, no chances were created, to struggling defence, Dustin Wolf was left out to dry. Arguably the biggest reason, however, has been the struggles of the veterans on the roster.

This is a team that has mentioned the importance of having guys with experience like Jonathan Huberdeau or Nazem Kadri for the young kids to learn from. Instead, it seems as though the old dogs need to learn some new tricks with how the season is shaping up. Today, I take a look at the veteran struggles in Calgary and what needs to change.

Jonathan Huberdeau

Jonathan Huberdeau is the biggest example of the old guys slowing down. Ever since being traded to the Flames in exchange for Matthew Tkachuk, Huberdeau has seen some of the worst production in his career. Going from a 115-point player with the Florida Panthers to just 55 points immediately after the trade. While we have seen him improve somewhat, it still isn’t enough, especially considering his 10.5M price tag.

This season, Huberdeau has only played in two games due to an injury suffered during preseason. Seeing the highest-paid player in franchise history, who has notoriously been struggling, was a sore spot for Flames fans. It didn’t help that on the very first day of training camp didn’t skate and jokingly said it was because he “didn’t feel like it”. While obviously a joke, considering his track record in Calgary, many were upset with the comments.

In his two games, Huberdeau has one point, which was the lone goal in a 6–1 blowout loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. Monday night against the Winnipeg Jets, he didn’t do much of anything in his 20+ minutes of ice time.

Nazem Kadri

Nazem Kadri was the leading point and goal scorer last season, and has been the primary play driver since joining the Southern Alberta team. This season, it hasn’t been much of the same at all. Through his first five games of the season, Kadri was outscored 6–3 at 5v5 and only had a 49.48 xGF%. The 35-year-old is in his fourth season of a seven-year $49M contract.

Kadri’s name was in trade rumours throughout the summer, with many believing that the Flames should capitalize on his value while it was at its highest. Now, obviously, a trade would’ve never happened with him having a No-Movement Clause. Even if it could, his value is seemingly dropping as this season continues. Through seven games now, Kadri only has four points, all four being assists. Number 91 is already a –7 on the season, with no upwards trajectory in sight.

Joel Hanley

One of the re-signings General Manager Craig Conroy made this offseason was keeping veteran defenceman Joel “Nacho” Hanley—a waiver wire pickup who turned out to be a very nice complementary piece to Mackenzie Weegar. He earned the trust of the organization, and his reward? A brand new contract to keep him in the NHL for the foreseeable future.

However, that new contract hasn’t been working the way either side would have hoped. In the first five games, Hanley was outscored 6–0 at 5v5. He was no longer a helping piece next to Weegar; he has been an anchor. Just like Kadri, he is a –7 on the year so far; however, he has no points in that timeframe. As a defensive defenceman, Hanley has been trusted by Head Coach Ryan Huska in the defensive zone. It seems as though it is no longer the case.

Mikael Backlund

The captain, Mikael Backlund, also furthered his stay with the Flames when he signed a two-year $6.5M contract extension. Over the past few years, the captain has been evidently slowing down and not looking like his past self. His past self, who would consistently get Selke votes. Looking at his first five games of the season, he had an xGF% of 48.86%. That is lower than that of Joel Hanley. Adding onto that is he was outscored 5–2 at 5v5.

Captain Backs brings some stability down the middle; however, he isn’t exactly more than a third-line centre at best anymore. Instead, forcing a guy like Connor Zary to get his reps down the middle on the fourth line. Re-upping a 36-year-old for another three years, isn’t exactly a re-tooling squad like this one should realistically be making.

Where do the Flames go from here?

Moving forward, the Flames would be better off moving away from as many veterans as they can. Having players like Rory Kerins waiting in the wings in the AHL with the Calgary Wranglers, who are more than ready for the NHL. Instead, we see a team prioritize players in their late-30s when they are dead last in the NHL with a record of 1–6–0, the worst start in franchise history.

If we want to see improvement and a chance to contend in the future, management needs to make the hard choices. They are going to have to move on from many fan favourites who just aren’t quite cutting it anymore.