Ryan Pike
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Managing Editor, @DFOCalgary since 2019. (I run the website.)
Member, @ThePHWA since 2018.
Words about the Flames since 2010.
Wrote a book about draft history.
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Articles by Ryan Pike
Recent articles from Ryan Pike Original
The Flames’ string of strong efforts hit some big snags in Edmonton Photo credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images Oct 29, 2026, 10:00 EDTUpdated: Oct 29, 2026, 01:32 EDT After a couple weeks of good efforts and positive results, the Calgary Flames did a few things on Wednesday night against the Edmonton Oilers that they haven’t done in awhile. The big one was, well, they lost, dropping a 4-0 result to the Oilers to throw the brakes on their winning streak after four games.
Recent articles from Ryan Pike Original
Instant Reaction: Flames shut out by Oilers, four game winning streak snapped Photo credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images Oct 28, 2026, 23:14 EDT Welcome to Instant Reaction, where we give you our instant reaction to tonight’s Calgary Flames game and ask our readers to do the same in the comments section below! The Calgary Flames headed into hostile territory on Wednesday evening to face the Edmonton Oilers for the first time in the 2026-27 season.
Recent articles from Ryan Pike Original
The Calgary Flames are clashing with the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday evening in the first Battle of Alberta of the 2026-27 campaign. But they’ll potentially have to finish off the game without goaltender Devin Cooley, as he left the game after the first period. Cooley was in net to begin the game, making his fifth consecutive start for the Flames. However, Cooley was crashed into by Edmonton forward Colton Dach with 12 seconds remaining in the first period.
Recent articles from Ryan Pike
Friends, get ready for what could be a really fun evening of hockey. It’s the very first Battle of Alberta of the 2026-27 campaign, and the 271st overall since the Flames moved north in 1980. It’s the Calgary Flames (5-6-0, 10 points) visiting the Edmonton Oilers (8-2-2, 18 points) at Rogers Place in downtown Edmonton. Two big points, and provincial bragging rights, are on the line.
Recent articles from Ryan Pike
After a rocky start to the season, things are starting to trend positively for the Calgary Flames. They’ve won four in a row. Their young players are scoring pretty goals and then celebrating with dances. One of their goaltenders was just named the NHL’s second star of the week. As things go fairly well on the ice, the Flames are starting to work on their unfinished off the ice.
LeBrun: Flames have begun preliminary extension talks with Morgan Frost
Here’s LeBrun, who began joking about an earlier discussion with colleague Darren Dreger about Flames head coach Ryan Huska and then moved into the Frost discussion: …but in the meantime, there’s some important work still ahead for GM Craig Conroy. Notably, Morgan Frost, pending UFA centre. He’s 27 years old, absolutely still fits in terms of his age with what the Flames are building out there.
Recent articles from Ryan Pike Original
Which Flames prospects could be headed to the World Juniors? Photo credit: courtesy WHL Oct 27, 2026, 14:00 EDTUpdated: Oct 27, 2026, 01:59 EDT Folks, the 2027 edition of the IIHF World Junior Championship, the premiere event for under-20 international men’s hockey, takes place this coming holiday season in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta. And it sure does seem like the Calgary Flames could be very well represented at this year’s event.
Recent articles from Ryan Pike Original
On Monday night, the Calgary Flames defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs to run their winning streak to four in a row. On Tuesday morning, in light of a return to the lineup in Monday’s game, the Flames made a roster move. Last Sunday night, late in the Flames’ win over Carolina, captain Mikael Backlund suffered a minor upper body injury on a hit from William Carrier.
Recent articles from Ryan Pike
Offensively-challenged to start the season, Flames showed poise, confidence and swagger against Toronto Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images Oct 27, 2026, 12:00 EDTUpdated: Oct 27, 2026, 02:07 EDT Hockey’s a weird sport sometimes. Through the first five games of the season, the Calgary Flames looked like a fragile team with zero confidence with the puck. They lost their first five games, getting out-scored 27-8 in the process.
Offensively-challenged to start the season, Flames showed poise, confidence and swagger against Toronto
Hockey’s a weird sport sometimes. Through the first five games of the season, the Calgary Flames looked like a fragile team with zero confidence with the puck. They lost their first five games, getting out-scored 27-8 in the process. If we’re being brutally honest, they looked at times like they couldn’t buy a goal. What a difference two weeks makes. The Flames won their first game of the season on Oct. 13 in Anaheim. If you include that game, the Flames are 5-1-0 over their last six outings.
Recent articles from Ryan Pike Original
Instant Reaction: Leafs wilt in final Saddledome visit, Flames run streak to four wins Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images Oct 26, 2026, 23:17 EDT Welcome to Instant Reaction, where we give you our instant reaction to tonight’s Calgary Flames game and ask our readers to do the same in the comments section below! The Scotiabank Saddledome’s crowd is typically a sea of red – or C of Red, if you will – but the audience featured a significant swath of blue jerseys on Monday night, as the...
Recent articles from Ryan Pike
After three wins in three outings at the Scotiabank Saddledome, the Calgary Flames (4-6-0, 8 points) will look to sweep their homestand on Monday night. But they’ll face a pretty big challenge in the form of the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs (7-4-2, 16 points), who are on a winning streak of their own and looking for a win in their final visit to the Saddledome. Which streak will end?
Recent articles from Ryan Pike
Monday Mailbag: The Flames are going streaking Oct 26, 2026, 12:00 EDTUpdated: Oct 26, 2026, 00:26 EDT Pals, a week ago, the Calgary Flames had played some good hockey but hadn’t really put together a run of good games yet. Well, they’ve put together a good run of games, winning three games in a row against some pretty decent opponents in Carolina, Minnesota and Detroit.
Recent articles from Ryan Pike Original
Pals, after a rough star where they didn’t win a single time in their first five outings… the Calgary Flames are now 4-6-0 in their first 10 outings, the product of four wins in their past five games. As the Flames’ bounce-back segment has unfolded, we’ve been hit with two simultaneous lines of questioning from Flames fans: “Are we allowed to enjoy this?” And “Oh wait, what happens when all the injured players get back?” To answer the first question: Yeah.
Recent articles from Ryan Pike Original
Flames after 10 games: rounding into form after an ugly start Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images Oct 25, 2026, 16:00 EDTUpdated: Oct 25, 2026, 14:25 EDT It’s been a weird start to the 2026-27 season for the Calgary Flames. The Flames weren’t playing terribly early on, but seemingly kept finding ways to lose, with virtually every mistake snowballing on them at key moments in each game. But thing seemed to swing in the other direction starting with the Anaheim game on Oct. 10.
Recent articles from Ryan Pike Original
The Flames’ team game was on display against the Red Wings Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images Oct 25, 2026, 10:00 EDTUpdated: Oct 25, 2026, 03:44 EDT Friends, let’s call a spade a spade. The Calgary Flames are, as presently constructed, a team that lacks superstars.
Recent articles from Ryan Pike Original
Instant Reaction: Flames keep rolling, beat Red Wings on 2004 throwback night Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images Oct 25, 2026, 00:40 EDT Welcome to Instant Reaction, where we give you our instant reaction to tonight’s Calgary Flames game and ask our readers to do the same in the comments section below! The Calgary Flames entered Saturday night’s meeting with the Detroit Red Wings feeling pretty good about how their team game is trending.
Recent articles from Ryan Pike Original
The Calgary Flames hit the ice for morning skate at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday morning ahead of their meeting with the Detroit Red Wings. And two familiar faces were on the ice for the duration, wearing yellow “no-contact” jerseys: captain Mikael Backlund and alternate captain Jonathan Huberdeau. Backlund and Huberdeau were on the ice about a half-hour before the rest of the group, shooting on emergency backup netminder Dustin Nickel.
Recent articles from Ryan Pike
It’s time for some Saturday night hockey! Winners of back-to-back games against some very strong opponents, the Calgary Flames (3-6-0, 6 points) are facing an Original Six opponent when they face the Detroit Red Wings (4-3-3, 11 points). The Flames will be trying to win three straight (for the first time in awhile) while wearing their 2004 retro jerseys, against an opponent who keeps finding a way to earn points.
Recent articles from Ryan Pike Original
Pals, this is the final season of hockey at the historic Scotiabank Saddledome. Over the years, the Calgary Flames have played 101 playoff games in the Saddledome, primarily clustered across three lengthy post-season runs. While the 1989 run was definitely the most memorable for Flames fans, considering it ended with a Stanley Cup parade, the 2004 run is when a lot of recent fans fell in love with the team.
Recent articles from Ryan Pike Original
Pals, while the Calgary Flames are starting to find their footing in the National Hockey League after a rough start, many of their prospects are performing really well. How well, you ask? Three prospects are around the league lead in scoring in three separate levels of hockey. Over in Russia, 2026 second-round pick Alan Shaikhlislamov was tied for the league lead in goals and points in Russia’s Molodezhnaya Khokkeinaya Liga, the top level of junior hockey in that country.
Recent articles from Ryan Pike Original
On Sunday night, the Calgary Flames posted a pretty significant win, beating the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Carolina Hurricanes. However, the team’s captain, shutdown centre Mikael Backlund, suffered a late-game injury and while he’s expected back soon, he wasn’t in the lineup for the Flames when they hosted the powerhouse Minnesota Wild. Well, apparently it’s no Backlund, no problem.
Recent articles from Ryan Pike Original
Instant Reaction: Flames special teams tame the Wild in Blake Coleman’s return to Calgary Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images Oct 22, 2026, 23:38 EDTUpdated: Oct 22, 2026, 23:40 EDT Welcome to Instant Reaction, where we give you our instant reaction to tonight’s Calgary Flames game and ask our readers to do the same in the comments section below! After a few days of practice since their triumph over the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday, the Calgary Flames were back in action on Thursday...
Recent articles from Ryan Pike
After a big win and a few days off, the Calgary Flames (2-6-0, 4 points) are back in action as they continue their homestand at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
Recent articles from Ryan Pike Original
A pair of the Calgary Flames’ European prospects will be participating in under-20 national team events in early November, with one player trying to cement himself on his team’s World Junior entry and the other, well, not able to do so this year. Alan Shaikhlislamov will be playing for Russia’s under-20 team at the upcoming Future Cup, while Theo Stockselius will be with Sweden’s under-20 team at the upcoming 5 Nations event. Here’s what’s at stake, and not, for each player.
Recent articles from Ryan Pike Original
Mark Jankowski is a great reminder that development sometimes requires time and patience Photo credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images Oct 21, 2026, 14:00 EDTUpdated: Oct 21, 2026, 11:01 EDT On Sunday night, in the midst of a rebuild, the Calgary Flames hosted the Carolina Hurricanes, the defending Stanley Cup champions, in their final visit to the Scotiabank Saddledome.
Recent articles from Ryan Pike Original
Russian theatre director Konstantin Stanislavski is widely attributed with coining the phrase, “There are no small parts, only small actors.” It’s meant to convey that even with a small amount of time on stage, an actor can create a big impression on the audience. The same credo can be true in the world of hockey, and the Calgary Flames are seeing an example of this in the performance of rookie forward Jonathan Castagna.
Recent articles from Ryan Pike Original
On Sunday night, the Calgary Flames beat the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes, gutting out a one-goal victory with a pretty impressive defensive display in the waning moments of the game. And captain Mikael Backlund was unusually not on the ice. We got a bit of a hint that something may be amiss with Backlund on Monday, as Swedish outlet Expressen spoke with Backlund about a hit he suffered in the third period of Sunday’s game from Carolina forward William Carrier.
Recent articles from Ryan Pike Original
After a day off following their victory over the Carolina Hurricanes, the Calgary Flames have made a pair of roster moves as they begin preparations for Thursday’s visit from the Minnesota Wild. The club has formally placed winger Sam Honzek on the injury reserve list – this move was made on Monday afternoon – and they’ve recalled forward Ben Jones from the American Hockey League’s Calgary Wranglers. So there are a few things probably going on at once, so let’s go through them in turn.
Recent articles from Ryan Pike
Monday Mailbag: Talking early season results, attendance and more! Oct 19, 2026, 12:00 EDTUpdated: Oct 19, 2026, 01:15 EDT The Calgary Flames won their first home game of the season on Sunday night, putting together a pretty impressive effort against the Carolina Hurricanes. Their homestand will continue on Thursday when Blake Coleman and the Minnesota Wild come to town.
Recent articles from Ryan Pike
Last week at home against the Colorado Avalanche, the Calgary Flames found themselves hemmed into their own zone. They couldn’t clear, ended up chasing the puck around in their own end for awhile, and ultimately it led to a goal against in a game that had already gotten away from them. They ended up losing to the Avalanche by a 7-3 score. On Sunday night at home against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Flames seemed to show progression. Yeah, they got stuck in their own end for awhile.
Three crucial minutes for Flames led to big victory over Carolina
Last week at home against the Colorado Avalanche, the Calgary Flames found themselves hemmed into their own zone. They couldn’t clear, ended up chasing the puck around in their own end for awhile, and ultimately it led to a goal against in a game that had already gotten away from them. They ended up losing to the Avalanche by a 7-3 score. On Sunday night at home against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Flames seemed to show progression. Yeah, they got stuck in their own end for awhile.
Pospíšil si v Calgary polepšil, zo štvrtého útoku sa posunul do tretieho. Pomohli mu aj dobré štatistiky
Pospíšil si v Calgary polepšil, zo štvrtého útoku sa posunul do tretieho. Pomohli mu aj dobré štatistiky Pospíšil nastupoval v prvých troch dueloch sezóny po boku Maxima Cypľakova a Adama Klapku. 19. 10. 2026 10:01 2 min. čítania Redakčne overené informácie Jesperi Kotkaniemi z tímu Carolina Hurricanes (vpravo) v súboji s Martinom Pospíšilom z tímu Calgary Flames (vľavo) počas druhej tretiny hokejového zápasu NHL v Calgary v Alberte v nedeľu 18. októbra 2026.
Recent articles from Ryan Pike
Instant Reaction: Flames weather the Hurricanes for first home win of season Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images Oct 18, 2026, 22:40 EDT Welcome to Instant Reaction, where we give you our instant reaction to tonight’s Calgary Flames game and ask our readers to do the same in the comments section below! After two games on the road against familiar foes from the Pacific Division, the Calgary Flames returned home to kick off a four game homestand on Sunday night.
Instant Reaction: Flames weather the Hurricanes for first home win of season
After two games on the road against familiar foes from the Pacific Division, the Calgary Flames returned home to kick off a four game homestand on Sunday night. And they kicked things off against their first Eastern Conference opponent of the season, the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes.
Recent articles from Ryan Pike
After a short road trip that saw them win once and lose once, the Calgary Flames (1-6-0, 2 points) are back at home and back in action! They face their first Eastern Conference foe of the season, and it’s a doozy: the reigning, defending Stanley Cup champions, the Carolina Hurricanes (7-1-1, 15 points). The ‘Canes are playing their second game in as many days, with travel, but they should be a big test for a Flames group still finding their footing early in the season.
Recent articles from Ryan Pike
Friends, from time to time, when you’re covering a team and writing and saying many things, on occasion you will write or say things that don’t age well. Well, seven games into the 2026-27 season, allow me to eat a little crow. I was probably too harsh on the Calgary Flames’ fourth line prior to the season. That’s not to say that the fourth line group has become the first line and led the Flames to glory.
The Flames’ fourth line is quietly, effectively going about their business
Friends, from time to time, when you’re covering a team and writing and saying many things, on occasion you will write or say things that don’t age well. Well, seven games into the 2026-27 season, allow me to eat a little crow. I was probably too harsh on the Calgary Flames’ fourth line prior to the season. That’s not to say that the fourth line group has become the first line and led the Flames to glory.
Recent articles from Ryan Pike
After a travel day back from Las Vegas on Friday, the Calgary Flames returned to the Scotiabank Saddledome for practice on Saturday morning as they prepare to host the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday evening. Here’s what we saw at the rink. Slightly different lines and pairings The Flames had 23 players on the ice: three goaltenders (including emergency backup Dustin Nickel), seven defencemen and 13 forwards.
Scenes from Flames practice: A couple new lines and pairings, and new goalie gear for Dustin Wolf
After a travel day back from Las Vegas on Friday, the Calgary Flames returned to the Scotiabank Saddledome for practice on Saturday morning as they prepare to host the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday evening. Here’s what we saw at the rink. Slightly different lines and pairings The Flames had 23 players on the ice: three goaltenders (including emergency backup Dustin Nickel), seven defencemen and 13 forwards.
Recent articles from Ryan Pike
Folks, former Calgary Flames head coach and general manager Darryl Sutter released a book this past week, which he wrote with Justin Bourne. After we chatted with Sutter about his book and his coaching career, we spent some time pondering his legacy in the game. He’s the only full-time coach in Flames history to have multiple tenures, and he’s one of just two people to serve as both coach and GM for any length of time – the other was Doug Risebrough.
Should Darryl Sutter be in the Hockey Hall of Fame?
Folks, former Calgary Flames head coach and general manager Darryl Sutter released a book this past week, which he wrote with Justin Bourne. After we chatted with Sutter about his book and his coaching career, we spent some time pondering his legacy in the game. He’s the only full-time coach in Flames history to have multiple tenures, and he’s one of just two people to serve as both coach and GM for any length of time – the other was Doug Risebrough.
Recent articles from Ryan Pike
Friends, it’s no big secret that it’s a tough time for the Calgary Flames right now. Through seven games in the 2026-27 season, they have one win. But if you take a look into the future – the near future – there’s help on the way. The entry-level system will most likely see (at least) six high-end prospects playing pro hockey for the Flames or Calgary Wranglers in 2027-28. And most of those six players are off to strong starts in 2026-27.
Theo Stockselius and Flames’ college kids shined this past week
Friends, it’s no big secret that it’s a tough time for the Calgary Flames right now. Through seven games in the 2026-27 season, they have one win. But if you take a look into the future – the near future – there’s help on the way. The entry-level system will most likely see (at least) six high-end prospects playing pro hockey for the Flames or Calgary Wranglers in 2027-28. And most of those six players are off to strong starts in 2026-27.
Recent articles from Ryan Pike Original
Instant Reaction: Flames winning streak ends at one after loss in Vegas Photo credit: Christopher Trim-Imagn Images Oct 16, 2026, 00:48 EDTUpdated: Oct 16, 2026, 00:59 EDT Welcome to Instant Reaction, where we give you our instant reaction to tonight’s Calgary Flames game and ask our readers to do the same in the comments section below! After a pretty good three periods of hockey – and a well-earned victory – in Anaheim on Tuesday night, the Calgary Flames went into the Las Vegas Valley on...
Recent articles from Ryan Pike
After triumphing in Orange County, the Calgary Flames (1-5-0, 2 points) look to continuing their winning ways when they go to where the house always wins, Vegas, to face the Vegas Golden Knights (6-2-0, 12 points). The Flames and Vegas are both coming off wins on Tuesday. We’ll see who can keep the good times rolling on the Strip on Thursday evening.
Recent articles from Ryan Pike Original
It’s safe to say that Darryl Sutter has seen and done a lot around hockey during his life. A product of Viking, Alberta, Darryl was one of seven sons born to Louis and Grace Sutter and raised on their farm. Darryl and five of his six brothers – Brent, Duane, Ron, Rich and Brian – all went on to play professional hockey in the National Hockey League.
Recent articles from Ryan Pike Original
Instant Reaction: Flames finally get two points after rematch with the Ducks Photo credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images Oct 14, 2026, 00:30 EDT Welcome to Instant Reaction, where we give you our instant reaction to tonight’s Calgary Flames game and ask our readers to do the same in the comments section below! After two really good periods (and an iffy third) on Saturday night, the Calgary Flames headed to sunny California to face the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday in the back half of their...
Recent articles from Ryan Pike
After a pretty entertaining hockey game on Saturday, it’s time for a rematch in Orange County. The Calgary Flames (0-5-0, 0 points) are headed to the Honda Center looking for their first win of the season as they face the Anaheim Ducks (4-1-0, 8 points). The Flames played a good game on Saturday with bad miscues at key moments. They’ll try to fix those mistakes in their second match-up with Anaheim.
Recent articles from Ryan Pike
On Oct. 15, 1983, the Calgary Flames played their first regular season game at the Olympic Saddledome, when they hosted the Edmonton Oilers. On Apr. 10, 2026, they’ll play their final regular season game at the Saddledome. While it’s yet to be seen which current Flames will be dressed for the final game at the ‘Dome, we do know who was in the lineup for the first game, a 4-3 loss to the Oilers.
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