Well, the Olympics have come and gone, and what a treat it was to have NHL players back competing for a gold medal. The Flames only had one player who was in the Olympics, with Martin Pospisil representing the Slovakian team. However, it’s worth noting that the team would have had two with Rasmus Andersson also on Team Sweden if they waited to trade him after the Olympics. With the next Winter Olympics happening in 2030, which Flames may be on their way to France to represent their country?
Zayne Parekh
Parekh definitely has a chance to make Team Canada. For him to have a real chance, though, he would need to develop into an elite top-pairing defenceman who can rack up point totals. On top of this, his defensive game will need to be stabilized in order to ease some of the concerns many have about offensive defencemen. This is the main reason why Evan Bouchard didn’t make the Canadian roster despite his elite abilities. Whether his exclusion from the roster was warranted or not team will be debated by many, but at the end of the day, the concerns about his defensive game was the ultimate factor in not making the team. This is a situation Parekh would need to avoid.
Dustin Wolf
Wolf is already one of the top American goalies in the league. And with a better (hopefully) Flames team in front of him, Dustin Wolf may just have the best chance out of all the Flames to make an Olympic roster for the first time. In 2030, Connor Hellebuyck will be 36 and may not be on the roster anymore. Oettinger and Swayman will likely be back as they will be 31, however if Wolf continues to develop into one of the best goalies in the league (some may say he already is if a better team was in front of him), it would not be shocking to see him in at least a backup role.
Samuel Honzek
The Slovakian forward is just 21 years old and is a power forward. If he weren’t injured, Honzek likely would have been in the Olympics this year. Honzek showed great progress this year in his development after a couple of underwhelming seasons in the AHL and WHL before. If Honzek can continue to develop, he will likely be an Olympian in four years time.
Martin Pospisil
Pospisil made the Slovakian team this year, but he was not dressed to play in the Bronze Medal game due to having the flu. Pospisil will be 30 years old so he will still be at the right age to play his game at an effective level. Based off this and the fact that he was on the roster this year, he is likely a lock.
The Flames’ 2026 First Round Draft Pick
If they get one of Gavin Mckenna, Ivar Stenberg, or Keaton Verhoef, it may be tough for them to make their Olympic rosters based off how strong Canada and Sweden usually is, but I wouldn’t say it is impossible. Of course, either of the three would need to develop into star players by that time. However, if they don’t make it in 2030, they likely will in 2034.
Matt Coronato
Coronato is a very impressive American winger who has a cannon of a shot. If Coronato ends up in the discussions to make the American team in 2030, it will be because he has to become a consistent 30-goal scorer and an offensive threat every time he is on the ice. However, the American team is, and will continue to be a powerhouse in the future, so it will be a tough roster to crack.
2030 can’t come soon enough
What an incredible Olympics this has been, and it is a real shame we had to wait 12 years to finally see Olympic best on best hockey again. Thankfully, there will be a World Cup of Hockey in 2028 to give us some best on best hockey again, however, there truly is nothing like the Olympics. Who else do you think may have a chance to make their team? Do any of the Flames’ top prospects have a chance to surprise people and make the discussions? Let us know!