The 2025-2026 season has been nothing short of a nightmare for the Calgary Flames, and fans are growing increasingly frustrated as the team's struggles continue. With a miserable record of 4-10-2 through 16 games, the Flames are sitting near the bottom of the NHL standings as the holiday season approaches. Their negative goal differential of -17 is the second-worst in the league, painting a grim picture of their performance.
Offensive woes plague the team, with the Flames currently on pace to have the worst offense in franchise history. Their struggles were highlighted in a recent game against the Minnesota Wild, where they were shut out for the second straight game in a 2-0 loss. The team's inability to capitalize on power play opportunities is also a significant concern. Going into Sunday's game against the Wild, their power play was the second-worst in the league at 12.3%. If they fail to score on a power play, they risk being dead-last in the league for power play percentage, a mark they haven't hit since the 2023-24 season.
Despite the alarming statistics, there may be some glimmers of hope for the Flames. While they are tied with the New York Rangers for the fewest average goals per game at 2.19, they are creating opportunities in the offensive zone. At 5-on-5, the Flames have created 52.78% of the high-danger scoring chances, ranking 11th in the NHL. However, their inability to finish those chances has been a major issue.
To turn things around, the Flames need key players to step up. Veteran Jonathan Huberdeau, in particular, needs to rediscover his scoring touch. While he has recorded four goals and four assists in 11 games, the team needs him to be a consistent 30-goal scorer once again. The team also needs more production from young players like Matt Coronato, Joel Farabee, and Morgan Frost.
Amidst the struggles, there have been rumors of potential trades, but Nazem Kadri is reportedly not on the trade block, with team ownership not contemplating a move. The Flames' defensive effort has remained strong in some games, but the offense has often been absent. In their recent game against the Blue Jackets, the Flames won 5-1, celebrating Nazem Kadri's 1,000th game. However, this win was an exception in an otherwise disappointing season.
As the season progresses, the Flames need to find a way to address their offensive woes and capitalize on their scoring opportunities. Otherwise, the season will continue to be a long and frustrating one for players and fans alike.
