The Calgary Flames announced on November 28 that their entire front office has received contract extensions through the 2027-28 season. The move includes general manager Craig Conroy, president of hockey operations Don Maloney, and assistant general managers Dave Nonis and Brad Pascall. This decision comes amid the team's challenging 9-14-3 start to the season.
The Calgary Flames' announcement on Friday, November 28, extended the contracts of key front office members until the summer of 2028. This timeline coincides with the planned opening of the team's new arena, Scotia Place, in the fall of 2027. Ownership, led by Murray Edwards, emphasized continuity to avoid any 'lame duck' status for the management team during the transition to the new venue.
Craig Conroy, who became general manager in 2023, received a straightforward extension. He has focused on addressing a roster with an identity crisis and cap constraints inherited from previous years. Despite the Flames' struggles, including seven blown-lead losses this season and a 31st-place standing, league consensus views Conroy's work positively. He has made trades to build draft assets, including eight picks for the 2026 NHL Entry Draft with two first-round selections.
The extension for Don Maloney drew more scrutiny. His recent media comments, avoiding the term 'rebuild' and stressing a 'winning culture' amid poor results, have been called tone-deaf by fans. However, Maloney serves as a buffer for Conroy and the players, aligning with ownership's strategy.
The organization stated the deals were signed before the regular season began, but delayed the announcement until late November due to the team's rough start. With job security now in place, the front office can prioritize long-term rebuilding without pressure to chase short-term wins, potentially leading to more asset sales at the trade deadline.