By Cody Misyk,The Win Column

Copyright yardbarker

At the current moment, Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid remains unsigned after next season. All options remain on the table for McDavid signing with any team next offseason. A crazy yet wonderful idea would be for McDavid to sign with the Calgary Flames.

If this were to happen, the Flames would acquire their biggest superstar in history and become Stanley Cup contenders. Let’s take a look at what the lineup would look like with the addition of McDavid.

Forward core

If the Flames were able to sign McDavid, he would instantly take over the forward core. His dominant offence would be something that Flames fans have rarely seen over the franchise’s existence. Their current scoring issues would immediately be solved with the addition of one player. Here is what the lineup would potentially look like if the Flames added McDavid:

Huberdeau – McDavid – CoronatoZary – Kadri – GridinFarabee – Frost – SharangovichColeman – Backlund – Pospisil

Some other potential forwards could be Sam Honzek, Aydar Suniev, Rory Kerins, and William Stromgren.

Now, this lineup may not look the greatest, but McDavid would make things so much easier on offence. Secondary scoring would not be needed nearly as much as it is now, and the power play would get a massive confidence boost.

The addition of McDavid would put the Flames in an instant win-now mindset. Flames General Manager Craig Conroy would have to add more skill to the lineup to increase the likelihood of being a serious Stanley Cup contender. The lineup above would likely change after McDavid signs. The franchise direction would instantly change and require more skill on the roster.

Timing is perfect

Looking at the organization as a whole, this would be perfect timing for the Flames. McDavid would join for the final season at the Scotiabank Saddledome, hopefully bringing some magical memories to go with the building’s history. Then, Scotia Place would be open the following season, making Calgary a top place to play in the entire NHL. McDavid and Scotia Place in operation would be a sweet deal for good business. With these new additions in line, the Flames would own Alberta, while the Oilers would likely crumble into a rebuild.

The timing is also perfect for the core of the team. At this point, Matt Coronato will have a few good seasons under his belt, Dustin Wolf will establish himself as a superstar goalie, and Zayne Parekh will be the franchise defenceman. It works out perfectly with the current young core of the Flames. McDavid would bring in some needed leadership for the younger guys, who may be getting their first taste of playoff hockey.

From a contract perspective, Coronato and Wolf have already signed team-friendly long-term contracts. At the moment, the Flames have over $11M in cap space available. McDavid could likely get near or over $20M per season on his next deal. If Conroy chooses to move on from a couple of bad contracts, such as Joel Farabee or Blake Coleman, McDavid could easily sign with the Flames.

Do you think the Flames should pursue McDavid if he does not re-sign with the Oilers?

Massive marketing opportunity

Obviously, adding the best player in the NHL to the Flames’ roster would provide a perfect marketing opportunity. McDavid and Scotia Place in action would give the Flames a significant marketing advantage among hockey fans. Fans could come and visit the newest arena in hockey while watching the best hockey player in the world. It is a win-win situation for them.

The Flames have always had some of the nicest threads in the NHL. Their signature home and away jerseys are nice as it is, but the Blasty jersey puts them in a league of their own. Having the last name McDavid on one of these would be unbelievable. The Flames jersey would gain even more popularity, and McDavid’s would sell instantly.

Over the history of the NHL, Calgary has never been a “great destination” for NHL players. It has been rumored to be a dull city with little to offer. However, gaining a new arena and a superstar player would likely change that narrative pretty fast. Signing McDavid could open the window for other good players to sign. A new winning culture is desperately needed for the Flames franchise, which has been mediocre for the majority of its existence.

Pacific Division outlook

Looking at the entire Pacific Division, the Flames could easily take over if McDavid signs with them. Here is how each team would look after the 2026 offseason:

Anaheim Ducks: Growing with a good core of young players.

Calgary Flames: On the rise with young talent and the best player in the NHL.

Edmonton Oilers: Lost a franchise player and are likely going into a rebuild around Leon Draisaitl.

Los Angeles Kings: Likely going downhill as Anze Kopitar will be retired and Drew Doughty will be near the end of his career.

San Jose Sharks: Superb young talent, a few years away from contending.

Seattle Kraken: Stuck with decent prospects and tons of middle-six forwards.

Vancouver Canucks: A mediocre team that potentially loses Quinn Hughes soon.

Vegas Golden Knights: Arguably the best team in the Pacific Division, although their core players will be aging.

A McDavid signing would make the Flames a serious threat in the division. The only team that would potentially stand in their way is the Vegas Golden Knights. Luckily, that franchise has little to no high-end young talent for the future. With McDavid, Parekh, and Wolf leading the way, the Flames franchise could be in for a big treat.