Calgary Flames general manager Craig Conroy was in Lethbridge on Wednesday, busy scouting the next crop of could-be stars when word leaked that his own future had been clarified.
According to Sportsnet’s ace insider Elliotte Friedman, the Flames and Conroy are “making progress on a contract extension.” If it’s not already, it will soon be a done deal.
There’s really only one question — what took so long?
Were the Flames hesitant to make this announcement during their dreadful start, worried it would seem like an ill-timed vote of confidence? Were they back-and-forthing over a few minor details or actually debating whether he could lame-duck his way through the next several months, with the entire hockey world knowing his current pact was set to expire? Was Conroy’s pen out of ink after he’d signed key pieces like Kevin Bahl, Matt Coronato, Dustin Wolf, Connor Zary and head coach Ryan Huska to extensions of their own?
Whatever the case, Conroy started this rebuild/retool/rebiggle and it’s the right call that he should be the one to continue with it.
Some in this market call it ‘Conny-fidence.’ Definition: A belief that this longtime fan fave, a status that dates back to playing days, has the Flames trending in the right direction.
That direction, right now, might be downward, and fans have been desperate for some indication — a hint of any sort — from the organization that there wouldn’t be an overreaction to try to salvage what is already looking like a lost season.
Switching GMs would have been the ultimate panic move. Let this guy cook, as the kid says.
Since being handed the reins in May of 2023, Conroy has significantly re-stocked the prospect pipeline, held true to his promise to provide more opportunity for the next wave and has done well to maximize the value of the dudes who decided they’d rather be playing in another city.
Has every one of his trades been a 10/10? No.
Does he regret inking Yegor Sharangovich for 5 x 5.75? Yeah, probably.
But have there been more hits than misses? Absolutely.
He swapped a disgruntled centre for, among other things, defence prospect Hunter Brzustewicz and a first-round pick that was cashed on Matvei Gridin.
He traded a grumpy goalie for Bahl and a first-rounder that would become Cole Reschny.
He called up roughly one-third of the current roster from the AHL’s Wranglers. That includes Coronato, Wolf and Zary, plus the towering Adam Klapka, the injured Martin Pospisil and the recently-arrived Yan Kuznetsov.
He’s drafted an impressive crop that is headlined by Sam Honzek, Zayne Parekh and the aforementioned Gridin and Reschny. Those guys will be counted on to fill the net — and fill the seats — when construction is complete on Scotia Place.
He’s also been effective as a spokesperson and pitchman, which is why so many were alarmed when Don Maloney was suddenly handling the interview requests — and not very smoothly — last week. You need your GM to inspire confidence, and Conroy checks that box.
The 54-year-old typically travels with the Flames on the road but on Wednesday, as his team was being thumped in Tampa and as social media was buzzing about his apparent extension, he was instead in Lethbridge for the finale of the CHL USA Prospects Challenge. That two-game scouting showcase featured many of the potential top picks in the 2026 NHL Draft.
The draft has always been key to Conroy’s vision, and this next one could be a biggie.
Currently sitting 31st in the overall standings, the Flames are currently well positioned for a shot at Gavin McKenna, Keaton Verhoeff or Ivar Stenberg.
That wasn’t the plan when this season started, but it would be wise to embrace the free-fall now that they have floundered to an 8-14-3 record that essentially seals their fate as a playoff pretender. Tomorrow is American Thanksgiving, after all.
That’s all the more reason to re-up the general manager.
There are some massive decisions to be made over these next few months. Would you rip up the blueprint and ask a new architect to steer Scotia Place from this point on?
There’s the Rasmus Andersson file. His contract is up at the end of the season, and the rugged rearguard should be the best blue-line rental available. Can Conroy create a bidding war? Can he prevent Andersson’s camp from hijacking the process, like Noah Hanifin did a couple of winters ago?
There’s the Nazem Kadri file. This new silver-sticker has been the Flames’ leading marksman over the past three seasons, but what would he be worth to the various contenders looking to upgrade their second-line centre?
There’s the Blake Coleman file. He’s beloved around the Saddledome, but it’s been rumoured that could-be suitors have already been blowing up Conroy’s phone.
At least now they know they had the right number.
The Flames have the right guy at the helm.
He deserves some time to see his plan through.