Preseason Preview - Flames @ Oilers

The final contest on the Flames' four-game, preseason slate takes place this evening at Rogers Place, as Calgary and Edmonton lock horns in the Battle of Alberta.

Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. MT. The game will be streamed on CalgaryFlames.com and the Flames App, though due to broadcast restrictions, the feed will only be available for viewers within the Flames broadcast region (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories and Nunavut).

The Flames got closer to their final 23-man roster Friday, assigning a slough of players to the AHL's Wranglers - many of whom battled valiantly in that 4-3 shootout setback Thursday night in Seattle. 

And as we get set to close the book on this new-look 2026 preseason, Head Coach Ryan Huska will have most of his veterans available for selection for this final tune-up against the Oilers.

The team went down to one practice group Friday, and based on line deployments it's safe to assume the formation this evening will look pretty similar to the one that took the ice four days ago in Calgary's 3-1 win over Vancouver. It's not unreasonable to suggest, too, that same collection of skaters will be deployed in the Flames' final Scotiabank Saddledome Home Opener, slated for Oct. 1 versus the Kraken.

Huska admitted Friday the roster decisions weren't easy.

"Tougher decisions for us. A tougher year for sure, because of the shortened camp, and less opportunities in games," the bench boss said. The way the group played (Thursday) night, it was hard to tell a few of them that unfortunately, right now you won't be starting here, keep working, and there's chances for you down the road.

"You have to get down to a manageable number, and we're at that point right now where we still only have a couple decisions to make. But we feel pretty good with where we're at."

One of those decisions will involve forward Alex Nylander. The 28-year-old agreed to a one-year, two-way contract Friday afternoon after joining the team on a professional try-out for Training Camp. Nylander, who was born in Calgary when his father Michael laced 'em up for the Flames, is coming off a Calder Cup championship with the AHL's Toronto Marlies. The Swedish winger will not play this evening, however.

Dustin Wolf is likely to draw the starting assignment in goal Saturday, offering the young netminder one final chance to see game action before the season opener. Wolf had a relatively quiet night in his first preseason start, turning away eight of nine shots he faced Tuesday against Vancouver.

The Other Side

Tonight's game marks Edmonton's preseason finale, too, and the Oilers return home having just come off a 2-1 victory Thursday in Vancouver. Isaac Howard led the way for a young Edmonton side with a goal and an assist, while goaltender Tristan Jarry turned aside 25 of the 26 shots he faced against his hometown club.

Expectations are high up Highway 2 under new Head Coach Mike Babcock, hired in June after former bench boss Kris Knoblauch was dismissed a month prior.

The 63-year-old last coached an NHL regular season game in 2019-20 with the Maple Leafs, but his resume includes a Stanley Cup with Detroit in 2008 and Olympic gold medals with Team Canada in 2010 and 2014.

Despite the change behind the bench, it's business as usual for Oilers captain Connor McDavid, who figures the run-in to the start of the season has been all positive for his group.

"I think we’ve had a good camp up to this point," he said earlier this week. "Guys are in a good spot to have a nice couple days here to continue to get ready."

"The entire coaching staff has been great and getting us ready, and it’s on the players and us leaders to make sure we're ready to go."

Player To Watch

Matt Coronato showcased his snapshot with authority in his last exhibition outing.

The winger accepted a hard, cross-zone pass before ripping the puck over Vancouver netminder Kevin Lankinen's left shoulder Tuesday at the Scotiabank Saddledome, his goal serving as the decider in the Flames' 3-1 win over the Canucks.

The product of Greenlawn, N.Y. is expected to have every opportunity to be an offensive dynamo this season - he led Calgary in scoring in 2025-26 - but his line with Morgan Frost and Matvei Gridin is likely to start the 84-game schedule as the Flames' top unit when Calgary opens the 2026-27 campaign on home ice Oct. 1 against Seattle.

In addition to his point totals, Coronato led the Flames in shots on goal (197) and shot attempts (409) last winter.