Flames Facing Fallout From Self-Inflicted Controversy

The Calgary Flames are dealing with a storm they largely created themselves. As Elliotte Friedman noted on the most recent episode of 32 Thoughts, the organization unintentionally “poured gasoline on the fire” with a pair of interviews that went viral, sparking speculation, frustration, and a lot of noise across the Canadian market.

In a hockey-mad environment where every word gets amplified, he argued that the Flames chose the wrong moment to address topics that didn’t need addressing.

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Friedman said he thought the backlash might be so severe that fans might throw jerseys, boo players, or make the game about management issues. Instead, they watched a hard-working Flames lineup pick up a win. The team really needed that kind of response, as he believed Don Maloney made a mistake with his comments and failed to find the right time to bring up a sensitive subject.

The Flames Could Have Waited To Talk Trades

Friedman reported that on the trade front, there’s nothing cooking. Not one meaningful offer has surfaced for Nazem Kadri, Blake Coleman, MacKenzie Weegar, Rasmus Andersson, or any other Flames veteran. Even if Calgary wanted to tear it down, there isn’t a single deal worth considering. And with the deadline still months away, the timing made last week’s public messaging even more confusing.

He also reports that he’s been told that behind the scenes, the rebuild is already underway. With promising young pieces in place and ready to take their next steps, the Flames have quietly stacked a pile of “lottery tickets.” They’re not going to make the playoffs this season and should get another one at the NHL Draft.

Meanwhile, none of the veterans have requested trades, but if the team stays near the bottom of the standings, that could change — and Calgary may be forced to pivot again.

For now, the Flames are competing, staying patient, and refusing to panic. That is likely the message Maloney was trying to get across. The real decisions — and real offers — are still a long way off, which is probably something he should have said instead of saying that the team has no appetite to trade pieces if the opportunity to improve for the future arises.

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