2024-25 Flames Season Preview, Predictions, & Odds

While general manager Craig Conroy won’t admit it, the Calgary Flames are truly enmeshed in rebuild mode. 

It’s the first time in decades the Flames have decided to focus on building a winning club for the future. But with any rebuild comes the associated growing pains.

So, will the Flames be able to improve upon the 81 points achieved last season, which was fraught with constant personnel upheaval? 

Several key team members moved on at different stages of last season, including Nikita Zadorov, Elias Lindholm, Chris Tanev, Noah Hanifin, and Jacob Markström. 

Now that the Flames have completed their out-with-the-old, in-with-the-new phase of the rebuild, more stability is expected.

However, that stability will invariably come with more teething problems.

The Flames have +325 hockey odds to make the playoffs, the third longest of the Pacific Division teams. 

Calgary Flames Futures Odds

Point Total: 81.5

Pacific Division: +4000

Western Conference: +5000

Stanley Cup: +10000

Calgary Flames Offseason Moves

The Flames made most of their impactful moves last season when they shipped off several veterans in favour of younger prospects and draft picks. 

They selected defenceman Zayne Parekh ninth overall and added nine more prospects in the 2024 NHL Draft. 

And they have nine more picks in the 2025 and 2026 drafts, including four first-rounders. 

While the future looks promising, the Flames’ didn’t move the needles at all during the offseason. 

Anthony Mantha, who has averaged .60 points per game in 494 games, and Ryan Lomberg represent the Flames’ most notable acquisitions.

Calgary Flames Additions

Calgary Flames Departures

Calgary Flames 2024-25 Betting Prediction

Prediction: Over 81 points (-115)

I predict the Flames will eclipse the 81-point threshold and improve upon last season’s point tally. 

Much of my best online sportsbook bet will depend on the Flames’ one-two punch in goal. Like most of the roster, Dustin Wolf endured ups and downs in his rookie campaign. 

Wolf improved as the season wore on and finished with a 7-7-1 record. He had a 3.16 goals-against-average and a .893 save percentage.

One of the more athletic and flexible young goaltenders, Wolf moves incredibly well from post to post. He’s also blessed with lightning-quick reactions. 

However, he’s smaller and sometimes struggles with positioning, two issues second-year head coach Ryan Huska hopes that experience will rectify. 

Dan Vladar has been a solid backup for a few years and should be seen as a strength entering the new campaign.  

Meanwhile, the Flames saw some promising developments last season.

While Martin Pospisil must master the art of discipline, nobody can question his on-ice impact and influence. The Flames were 34-25-4 when he was in the lineup. 

Slovak connection 🇸🇰 pic.twitter.com/MsokEW9J3A

— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) September 26, 2024

Connor Zary was in the Calder Trophy conversation, albeit on the periphery, for an extended period, while Yegor Sharangovich, Blake Coleman and MacKenzie Weegar had career years.

Nazem Kadri thrived in his leadership role, particularly at the end of the season, scoring .91 points per game, which was the second-most of his career. 

While the blank slate and absence of trade-rumour distractions will significantly benefit them, the Flames’ lacklustre defence, overall inexperience, and well-documented Jonathan Huberdeau inadequacies will prevent them from making the postseason.

I’m taking the Over 81.5 points, which come with -115 NHL odds and a 53.48% probability.