Having ended up shut out of representation at this year's All-Star Game, the Flames do have players we can expect to see at the upcoming international tournaments
With the NHL and players’ association deciding to hold a four-nations tournament instead of an All-Star Game next season and the league’s players returning to the Olympic Winter Games in 2026, those events are likely to have Calgary Flames flavour.
Some Flames flavour, not likely a lot, but certainly more than this year’s all-star festivities with the only representation Harvey the Hound and celebrity captain Tate McRae after Elias Lindholm was traded away on the eve of the event.
How much of the Flames organization will be involved obviously remains to be seen, especially with how much turnover may happen before puck drops at those tournaments are held, but here is our guess who on the team and among the prospects pool we could see carrying their flags, starting with the qualified teams.
Sweden
Goalie Jacob Markstrom, defenseman Rasmus Andersson and centre Mikael Backlund.
Between Markstrom, Linus Ullmark (Boston Bruins) and Filip Gustavsson (Minnesota), Sweden has a strong trio of netminders, with the likes of Samuel Ersson (Philadelphia) waiting in the wings. Markstrom should be a lock, and a case could be made he may be his nation’s best puck stopper.
Andersson has become one of the most under-rated defencemen in the NHL, a top-minute player in all situations. Sweden has a healthy crop of top blue liners, but it would be a surprise if Andersson was snubbed. Oliver Kylington would be a long-shot.
Backlund sadly was likely hurt by NHLer’s not attending in 2022, while his former Calgary teammate Lindholm is a more likely candidate.
Canada
MacKenzie Weegar’s play certainly has put him on the radar, but with the calibre of defencemen Canada can choose from, he would be a surprise selection. Now, if Weegar continues to elevate his numbers at the rate we’ve seen since the middle of last season, who knows?
Czechia
Goalie Dan Vladar is likely a long-shot, but certainly not out of the mix. Where his career goes in the next couple of seasons may increase his hopes.
United States
Forward Blake Coleman and defenceman Noah Hanifin would be surprise selections.
Whether they will qualify or are allowed to attend remains to be seen, but there are others with a shot.
A decision is yet to be made whether Russia and Belarus will be invited due to their countries’ invasion of Ukraine. If Russia is allowed a team, newly acquired Andrei Kuzmenko has a strong chance.
As for Belarus, not only must the country be allowed, but it would require qualifying which is no sure thing. If all works out for them, Yegor Sharangovich and defenceman Ilya Solovyov would be on their team.
Speaking of qualifying, Slovakia has a strong chance, even if Russia is invited. Forward Martin Pospisil would appear to be a solid choice, and could have a chance to skate alongside his brother, Kristian with the team that won bronze in 2022. It’s not likely happen, but it would be curious how much consideration 2023 first-round pick Samuel Honzek will receive.
Curiously, Slovakia and Belarus — if invited — are in the same qualifying pool, along with Kazakhstan and a fourth team to be decided in September.
Norway, a team that almost assuredly feature Mathias Emilio Pettersen — Calgary’s 2018 sixth-round drat choice who has collected 27 points in 41 games this season for the AHL Wranglers — also must qualify while in a pool with Denmark and Slovenia and another country yet to be decided.