Flames are Flaming Out Early On

Written By Jason Green | Published at October 6, 2026

The Flames are flaming out with blowout losses in each of their first three games. In the three losses they were outscored 16-3. — Oct 1, 2026; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf (32) reacts during the third period against the Seattle Kraken at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

Ok, so nobody expected much from Calgary this season, as they started as one of the teams with the worst betting odds to win the Stanley Cup. However, the Flames are flaming out early with three blowout losses in their first three games.

Bad Start on Both Sides of the Ice

In the Flames' first three games, they scored one goal in each while giving up a total of 16. Calgary ranked dead last in the NHL last season in goals per game and are well on their way to repeating that dubious distinction. The club hoped young talent and a healthy Jonathan Huberdeau would ignite the attack, but the youngsters haven't helped, and Huberdeau has begun the season on IR.

Albatross of a Contract

Huberdeau was the key player in the 2022 deal that sent Matthew Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers. After arriving in Calgary, the Flames signed him to a huge eight-year, $84 million contract. After averaging 25.8 goals and 86.5 points over his last four seasons in Florida, he has averaged only 16.3 goals and 48.5 points in his four seasons with the Flames. Last season he missed 32 games after a hip surgery that he is still recovering from.

Can’t Crack the Kraken

Two of the three losses for the Flames this season have come facing the Seattle Kraken, where they were embarrassed, losing both games 6-1. In their last game against them, it was over early: they were down 3-0 with only 7:40 left in the first period and 5-0 after the second.

Top netminder Dustin Wolf was in between the pipes in both games against Seattle, giving up 12 goals on 59 shots and posting a save percentage south of .800. He struggled last season after a promising rookie campaign as a Calder Trophy finalist.

Tough Road Ahead

Things do not get any easier for the Flames, as they face the Colorado Avalanche and the Anaheim Ducks twice in their next three games, and as of Tuesday, Oct. 6, neither team has lost. Then, in the two games after that, they face the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes and then the Vegas Golden Knights, who lost to the Canes in the finals last season.