The 2015-16 exhibition schedule for the Calgary Flames has been released on their website, and looks like this:
September 21 vs. Edmonton – 7:00 PM
September 21 @ Edmonton – 7:00 PM
September 24 @ Colorado – 7:00 PM
September 25 vs. Vancouver – 7:00 PM
September 26 @ Vancouver – 8:00 PM
September 29 vs. Colorado – 7:00 PM
October 1 @ Winnipeg – 6:00 PM
October 3 vs. Winnipeg – 7:00 PM
(All times are in Mountain Standard Time and all games are played at the teams’ respective NHL rinks – Rexall Place for Edmonton, Scotiabank Saddledome for Calgary, Pepsi Center for Colorado, Rogers Arena for Vancouver, and the MTS Centre for Winnipeg.)
Calgary plays pretty much all the same teams it did last preseason, except they face the Colorado instead of Arizona. But don’t get ahead of yourself thinking it’s because of the turmoil around the City of Glendale voting to terminate their lease – the Coyotes’ preseason schedule has also been released. Calgary just has a nicer travel schedule this way.
With the two Edmonton games coming on the same day – September 21 – teams will use split-squad rosters akin to what you see in the MLB. That means Flames fans should be able to get a look at Connor McDavid, but it would probably be through the television. It’s hard to imagine the Oilers passing up bringing more fans into Rexall Place and having McDavid make his Oilers debut on the road.
It will be a big preseason for a lot of Flames players, but Sam Bennett will really be a guy to keep an eye on. He’ll be coming back from a full offseason of working out instead of dealing with shoulder issues. Also of note will be goaltender Joni Ortio’s performance as he’ll be looking to ride a strong preseason into an NHL role, as his contract turns into a one-way deal next season.
