The 10 Calgary Flames games that have us excited for 2026-27

Plenty of long-time Flames will be making their returns to Calgary — and it’s the last year at the Saddledome

For the first time, the Calgary Flames are going to be playing an 84-game regular season in 2026-27. On Thursday morning, the NHL announced its entire season slate and while the Flames aren’t expected to be contenders this year, there are still a lot of fun games ahead. It’s the last year at the Saddledome and there should be celebrations of the iconic rink all season long.

Here are 10 games that have us excited: Oct. 1 vs. Seattle Kraken The Flames kick off their season at home against the Kraken and whether or not anyone has expectations of making the playoffs this year, there’s always a great atmosphere and a sense of optimism ahead of Game 1. They’re going to be young, hungry and looking to surprise people.

Whether or not that leads to a bunch of wins is anybody’s guess, but this season does have potential to be fun. Oct. 8 vs. Colorado Avalanche Cale Makar. Nathan MacKinnon.

Nazem Kadri. The star-studded Avs were true Stanley Cup contenders last season and while their year ended in disappointment, they should still be one of the league’s top teams this year. Kadri’s well-loved in Calgary after his time in the city and should get a warm reception and this game should be a good early test for the young Flames squad.

Oct. 18 vs. Carolina Hurricanes The Hurricanes aren’t usually a team that makes our list of teams that Flames fans absolutely need to see, but they are the Stanley Cup champions and that’s enough for them to earn a mention here. The Flames have a tough October with games against some very good opponents, so we should know who they are by the time the calendar flips to November. Oct. 22 vs. Minnesota Wild Speaking of good teams ...

the Wild are absolutely going to be in the mix for the Cup in 2026-27, but that’s not why they’re listed here. This will be Blake Coleman’s first game in Calgary since he was traded in early July , and that will make for an emotional night at the Saddledome. Coleman was a big piece of the Flames puzzle this decade and never asked out of Calgary.

It will only be cheers of gratitude from fans. Dec. 4 vs. Washington Capitals This will (probably) be Alex Ovechkin’s last game in Calgary, although it’s worth noting that we thought the same thing last season. Either way, hockey fans won’t want to miss getting one last chance to see the greatest goal-scorer in NHL history.

Dec. 31 vs. Winnipeg Jets New Year’s Eve at the Saddledome is always a fun night. There’s a party atmosphere and it’s become an annual tradition for a lot of hockey fans. The game starts at 7 p.m., too, so nobody will have trouble getting out of the rink in time for midnight.

Jan. 5 vs. Florida Panthers The Tkachuk brothers tend to bring out the boo birds in Canadian rinks, and now that they’ve been brought together in Florida you’d expect it to get loud in the Saddledome every time they touch the puck. Feb. 1 vs. Vegas Golden Knights

It’s Rasmus Andersson’s first game back in Calgary since he was traded to Vegas back in January. Over a decade in Flames colours , Andersson went from prospect to trusted leader and left with nothing but best wishes from fans, so you’d expect him to get a lengthy standing ovation from the Calgary faithful. March 3 vs. Edmonton Oilers

The Flames do play in Edmonton on Oct. 28, but fans will then have to wait until March for the first Battle of Alberta in Calgary. The fierce rivals will square off three times between March 3 and April 5, including another home date on March 23. April 10 vs. Vancouver Canucks It’s the last regular season game at the Saddledome and given where expectations stand for the Flames this year, it will probably be the last ever NHL game in the old barn that’s served as the Flames’ home for over 40 years.

There’s a tonne of excitement about the move into Scotia Place, but the Flames will be looking to say goodbye with all the appropriate pomp and circumstance. This will be a fun night, plain and simple. Get more Calgary Flames coverage delivered directly to your email inbox: Sign up here for our Playing With Fire newsletter.