The 2025–26 season has been a nightmare for the Calgary Flames. With a massive live to the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday night, the Flames start went from bad, to historically bad. Sitting at a 1–5 record with just two points, the Flames have matched the worst start to a season in franchise history.

#Flames lose 6-1 in Vegas to run their record to 1-5-0.

Third time in franchise history they’ve had just two points after six games. Other two times were 1997-98 (0-4-2) and 2015-16 (1-5-0).

— Ryan Pike (@RyanNPike) October 19, 2025

So how did those seasons go and how do they compare to this year? Let’s take a look.

1997–98 (0–4–2)

GF: 12 | GA: 18

The first time the Flames started with just two points through six games in a season was back in 1997–98 during the dreaded Young Guns era. The team actually hadn’t won a single game through their first six games, picking up two points in a duo of ties. They did however register 12 goals, which is more than the 2025–26 roster can say as they’ve posted just 10 through the first six games. Similarly they were better defensively, allowing 18 goals compared to the current teams total of 25.

Things went from bad to worse for this team, picking up just one single win in their first 11 games, starting the season 1–8–2. When it was all said and done the 1997–98 roster finished the year with a 26–41–15 record, good for the fifth worst record in the NHL. To this day their 67 points are the lowest full season amount in franchise history. The team ended the year with a single player over 50 points and missed the playoffs by 11 points.

Season finish: 5th last in the NHL

2015–16 (1–5)

GF: 12 | GA: 25

Exactly one decade ago, the Flames got off to the exact same start as this season sitting at 1–5 after six games. Their production was eerily similar as well, scoring 12 times compared to this years total of 10, and an identical goals against total of 25. What’s also eerily similar is how much the expectations in 2015–16 were similar to 2025–26. Back then, the team was also coming off a shocking season in which they were much better than expected and challenged for a playoff spot in the middle of a rebuild.

Just like this season, the team showed their true colours to start the season and struggled mightily despite the idea that their rebuild was over. Unlike the 1997–98 team though, this group had a resurgence midseason and actually climbed back up to .500 by the end of December thanks to a seven game winning streak. With that said, the wheels would soon fall off once again in February with a seven game losing streak, sinking them for good.

When the season was finished, the Flames held a 25–40–7 record, good for 5th last in the NHL and 10 points out of a playoff spot. The team had three players post over 50 points in Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan, and Mark Giordano. The season also cost head coach Bob Hartley his job as he was fired on May 3rd following the conclusion of the season.

Season finish: 5th last in the NHL

2025–26 (1–5)

GF: 10 | GA: 25

Now to present day. The 2025–26 season is just the third occurrence over 45 years that the franchise has started a season with just two points in their first six games. What stands out even further is the fact that their 10 goals through six games is the worst total among the three seasons. Considering how high scoring the modern NHL game is compared to previous years, it’s a shocking total. So far the teams leading scorer is Nazem Kadri who has just four points, and no goals.

We know how the other two instances went down, with the Flames finishing fifth last both times and well outside of the playoffs. Time will tell how the rest of the 2025–26 season goes, but for now history is certainly not on their side as they try to climb out of a nearly impossible hole.

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