The Calgary Flames are off to a 2–8–2 start to the 2025–26 season. An eight-game losing streak sparked players getting scratched, Dustin Wolf’s brutal workload, and overall questionable coaching decisions. The importance of culture collapsed on the Flames as it became evident that you cannot grind your way to every single win, especially if you can’t score. The trade rumours have been swirling surrounding Nazem Kadri and of course Rasmus Andersson. Can we expect anything to change over the next few weeks?

The Highs 

There were few and far between, but they sure did feel good. 

Zayne Parekh made his season debut in Calgary’s home opener against the St. Louis Blues. The 19-year-old has been playing sheltered minutes on the third pairing. It’s important to remember everyone’s development is different and isn’t always linear. 

Parekh had his first trip back to his province, Ontario. He was a healthy scratch against the Ottawa Senators. 

Sam Honzek has been one of the most effective yet snakebitten players. Honzek had been working hard to drive offence. His luck finally changed late in the third period against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The look on his face says it all. Hopefully, Honzek continues to trend in the right direction. 

The in between 

The Flames announced they had signed Ryan Huska to a two-year extension. Huska took over the bench during the 2023 offseason. He has had quite the tall task with the pieces he has. Huska has an 81–75–22 record. The Flames are still searching for a playoff berth with Huska at the helm. 

The lows 

Those hopes may be shelved for another year. With the team’s offensive woes, they continue to search for an internal motivation. Huska healthy scratched Yegor Sharangovich after consecutive lackadaisical performances to start the year. The final straw might have been Kevin Bieksa ripping into Sharangovich’s lack of effort on live TV.

Sharangovich has scored two goals since being scratched. 

The Flames’ offence struggled through their eight-game losing streak. That’s why scratching Matt Coronato left fans and local media puzzled. What was Huska doing keeping his best shooter out of the lineup? Why are you taking the player that generates the most chances out when you are in desperate need of goals? 

Huska justified his decision by saying Coronato was doing “too much.” 

Explaining the scratch of Matt Coronato on Sunday, Ryan Huska said he was trying to do too much. He said when you do that, it never works.

That’s kinda what I’m seeing this season from MacKenzie Weegar.

— Darren Haynes (@DarrenWHaynes) October 29, 2025

Scratching Shangovich for doing too little and Coronato for doing too much. Experience Flames hockey. 

The Flames snapped their losing streak, and Coronato made his return. Maybe the scratch was effective. Coronato scored against the Ottawa Senators, bringing him up to three goals on the season.

Both scratched players scored in their returns. Will Connor Zary be next?

Wearing Wolf Out

Dustin Wolf started all but three games in the month of October. He’s racked up a 3.44 GAA and an .887SV% through ten games. The days of goaltenders playing 55+ games are long gone, especially when they don’t have much help in front of them.

Last season, Wolf was the team’s saving grace. He dragged the Flames to the finish line, just outside of a playoff spot. It appears that was the game plan this year. The defence has regressed to the point Mackenzie Weegar isn’t looking like himself.

When you’re struggling defensively, you have to make up for it offence. Unfortunately, the Flames haven’t had much luck with that. Wolf said it himself, he can’t generate offence. He has done everything he possibly can, even in the dark.

There is little to no reward for running him into the ground. Why would you not want a fair and balanced season for him, that way in three years when you’re closer to competing, you have a goalie with gas in his tank.

There is still five months of hockey ahead of the Flames. Right now, they sit 32nd in the league. They might not spend the entire season there but it will be nearly impossible for them to climb to a playoff spot. A hot streak is inevitable but that can’t distract Conroy and co from the real plan.

Build a contending team.

The Flames should be exploring every option and trade call that comes their way. Players like Nazem Kadri and Blake Coleman have been generating some interest. The Rasmus Andersson trade has to happen sooner rather than later. Should they wait too long, they are at risk of repeating history with the Noah Hanifin trade.

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