The Calgary Flames find themselves in a state of prolonged paralysis, with the clock ticking loudly on crucial decisions that will shape the franchise's immediate future. General Manager Craig Conroy has not executed a significant roster move since acquiring forwards Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee back on January 30, 2025.
A Year of Inaction in Calgary
Setting aside minor waiver claims and contract signings, the Flames' front office has remained largely inactive for nearly 12 consecutive months. This span included a critical NHL trade deadline, an entry draft, and the free-agency period, all while the team plummeted to 32nd place in the league after one of the worst starts in franchise history.
Currently, the organization appears frozen by indecision, stuck in a holding pattern. They are not investing draft capital to upgrade the roster, not leveraging their considerable salary cap space, and not trading any of their valuable veteran players. This stagnation persists despite a recent modest uptick in on-ice performance that has seen the team climb out of the league's absolute basement.
The Pressing Dilemma of Key Assets
The situation surrounding defenseman Rasmus Andersson is the most urgent matter demanding resolution. Having a career season and sitting second on the team in scoring, Andersson is arguably Calgary's premier trade chip as he approaches unrestricted free agency. The Flames and Andersson have had months to negotiate a contract extension, but a deal seems unlikely, putting a potential eight-year contract worth over $8 million annually in doubt.
Forward Blake Coleman has also emerged as a major point of interest for rival teams. His elite two-way play, combined with his Stanley Cup pedigree and leadership, has reportedly drawn calls from as many as 20 NHL clubs inquiring about his availability. While Coleman has another year on his contract, making him less urgent than Andersson, his value is at a peak.
The Path Forward for Conroy and the Flames
The decision on Andersson's future should act as the first domino for Conroy. Trading him would severely damage the team's already faint playoff hopes, but retaining him risks losing a top asset for nothing or committing to a massive, long-term deal for a player on a rebuilding team. Waiting until the trade deadline on March 21st carries the risk of injury or a shrinking market.
Ultimately, the Flames are a franchise in transition, nowhere near contending for a championship. Icing a plucky, competitive roster that merely "makes life difficult for opponents" is not the goal for any stakeholder—players, coaches, management, or fans. The recent competitive play should not cloud the larger strategic picture. The time for Craig Conroy to pick a definitive lane—be it a full-scale rebuild or a committed retool—is now, starting with the fate of Rasmus Andersson.
