Calgary Flames Will Soon Be a Top Destination for Free Agents – The Hockey Writers – Calgary Flames

It’s no secret that it’s been quite some time since the Calgary Flames have been a true Stanley Cup contender. This organization won its first and only championship in 1989, and last advanced to the Cup Final in 2004. Since then, they’ve iced some very mediocre teams.

Part of that is due to poor management, though that’s not the only reason. As most in Calgary know, it’s difficult to get players who are willing to commit to the city. Many players would prefer warmer locations south of the border, ones where they also aren’t as well recognized.

On top of that, the Flames, as mentioned, have been quite mediocre over the years. They also have a very outdated arena in the Saddledome. Not only is the dressing room very small compared to others around the league, but they also have very outdated facilities for training and rehab. Soon, that won’t be the case.

Scotia Place Will Help Flames Improve

The Flames have just one season remaining at the Saddledome before moving into their new arena. Scotia Place is currently being built, and is expected to open its doors for the 2027-28 season. It’s going to be a massive upgrade for current Flames, while also being a much better host venue for visiting teams.

Players heading to Calgary on a road trip are certainly going to notice just how much better this new arena is. In fact, as is the case with most new buildings, it will likely be regarded as the best arena in the NHL going forward.

Having a state-of-the-art building will get players talking, and will go a long way in changing the narrative when it comes to joining the Flames. Take Edmonton, for example, where the Oilers have had a much easier time attracting free agents ever since Rogers Place opened its doors ahead of the 2016-17 campaign.

Many will point to Connor McDavid as to why the Oilers have become a more attractive destination, and that’s a fair point to make. While the Flames don’t have a player of that calibre, they are a team who is quickly heading in the right direction.

Though the rebuild in Calgary isn’t over, it’s starting to become very clear as to how bright the future is with this organization. They’ve been able to add a ridiculous amount of draft picks, and have hit on plenty of picks in past years which has given them a very deep prospect pool.

Once the Flames become competitive in their new building, that will make signing free agents a much easier task for general manager (GM) Craig Conroy. It isn’t just free agents who will be easier to attract, either. Players with no-trade clauses in their contracts often have Calgary on those lists, but that too will begin to change.

Fans should note that this won’t be a change that happens immediately. The new arena will go a long way in changing the current perception on playing in Calgary, but the results also play a big factor. This team is still a few years away from being a playoff contender, but once that happens, bringing in top talent whether through free agency or trades will become much easier for Conroy and his staff.

Exciting Time to Be a Flames Fan

Factoring this all in, it’s quite easy to see why Flames fans are so excited about what the future holds. Not only will those in the Calgary area be able to watch games from a much nicer venue, but that venue will also play a large part in making this team competitive. Assuming Conroy continues the outstanding job he’s done so far, the Flames could soon become a very good team for a long period of time.