Flames’ Conroy Has Become NHL’s Most Underrated General Manager

If you were to look at the Calgary Flames’ record since Craig Conroy took over, you would think he was struggling in his general manager (GM) position. In the three seasons since he took over for Brad Treliving, the Flames have amassed a disappointing 113-105-28 record, missing the playoffs all three years.

From an outsider’s standpoint, it would appear the Flames organization doesn’t have a ton to be excited about. They aren’t knocking on the door for a playoff spot, and failed to have a single player reach the 50-point mark this past season.

Things won’t be changing in the immediate future, as this team will likely struggle once again in 2026-27. That said, Conroy’s current focus isn’t as much about this current group as it is the future of the organization as a whole. He’s instead focusing on the long-term picture, and while it has resulted in some frustrating hockey, it’s also helping with slowly building this team into a contender.

Conroy Finally Leading Organization Down Right Path

Before Conroy took over as the Flames GM, fans never knew what team they were going to get. This team would look like a legitimate Stanley Cup contender in one season, only to fizzle out and miss the playoffs the following year.

Despite never having much success when reaching the playoffs, the Flames continued to make moves both in season and in the summer months that suggested they viewed themselves as Stanley Cup contenders. Those moves often frustrated fans, who knew that wasn’t the reality. Now, finally, the organization seems to have a better understanding of what’s needed.

The Flames have not once made the playoffs since Conroy took over as GM. That is largely by design, as he’s traded out several veterans since being in charge including Tyler Toffoli, Nikita Zadorov, Elias Lindholm, Chris Tanev, Noah Hanifin, Jacob Markstrom, Andrew Mangiapane, Rasmus Andersson, MacKenzie Weegar, Nazem Kadri, and Blake Coleman. Those moves have made the Flames a worse team, but have been well received by the fan base.

The reason for that is the returns. Conroy has been able to pick up all sorts of draft picks and prospects in these deals. Not only do the prospects appear to be close to NHL ready, but management and scouting staff have made some terrific picks in recent years. Put that all together, and you see a team that is slowly but surely heading in the right direction.

Others Will Notice Soon Enough

Though it isn’t being talked about much right now, those across the NHL will soon take notice of what the Flames are building. While they continue to be hot in their pursuit of bringing in a true number-one centreman, they seemingly have the rest of their future roster pieced together.

The Flames not only have a young and extremely talented goalie in Dustin Wolf, but have a ton of high-end blueline prospects such as Zayne Parekh, Carson Carels, Hunter Brzustewicz, and Henry Mews. They also do have some great young talent up front including Matvei Gridin, Cole Reschny, Cullen Potter, and Ethan Wyttenbach.

The good news for Flames fans too is that Conroy appears to be more than patient enough to allow this rebuild continue until it is truly time to start changing gears. After recently trading Coleman, it’s becoming quite clear that the 2026-27 season will be a long one in Calgary. That will be painful in real time, but will allow for the Flames to add another great prospect in next year’s draft.

Though he’s not yet getting the league-wide recognition he deserves, Flames fans will be the first to tell you Conroy is nailing this rebuild so far, and should continue to do so going forward. Given the moves he’s made to this point, it’s more than fair to say he currently leads the charge as the NHL’s most underrated GM.