The Seattle Kraken and Calgary Flames open their preseason schedules against each other on October 2, with the Flames debuting new defenseman Simon Nemec and the Kraken looking to build momentum after a 6th-place Pacific finish.
The Seattle Kraken and Calgary Flames open their preseason schedules against each other on October 2 at Scotiabank Saddledome, with both Pacific Division rivals looking to lay the groundwork for the 2026-27 regular season. The Kraken enter as the 6th-place team in the division on paper, while the Flames sit 7th — and this exhibition tilt offers an early read on which retooled roster is further along. Calgary’s headline story is the debut of big-ticket defenseman Simon Nemec, while Seattle is in full evaluation mode as it sorts out training-camp battles. Expect a competitive, tune-up style game with rosters split between veterans and prospects.
Seattle Kraken: Building Chemistry in the Pacific
The Kraken come into this preseason with no official record or recent game data, but they’re positioned 6th in the Pacific Division after a summer of roster management. With the regular season still ahead, Seattle’s focus is on integrating new faces and giving prospects extended looks as the coaching staff trims the roster. The team will lean on veterans early to establish an identity, but the preseason is about building chemistry before the points start counting. The Kraken’s offseason additions and rookie class will get their first real test against a Flames squad that’s also in transition. Expect Seattle to use a balanced lineup, mixing established players with hopefuls competing for spots.
Calgary Flames: The Simon Nemec Era Begins
The Flames are the more newsworthy side heading into this one, having signed defenseman Simon Nemec to a five-year, $36.25 million deal and shipped veterans Blake Coleman and Olli Maatta to Minnesota in a trade that clears cap space and opens up a top-six forward slot and a left-shot defensive spot. Nemec’s debut in the red and white is the marquee storyline — expect the coaching staff to give him heavy power-play and offensive-zone starts. The departures of Coleman and Maatta also create opportunity for younger players to step into bigger roles, and this preseason game will be the first look at how the retooled lineup fits together. Calgary sits 7th in the Pacific on paper, so internal growth will be key to climbing the standings.
Head-to-Head: Preseason Priorities and X-Factors
In a preseason opener, the score matters less than the process. Seattle’s priority is evaluating its prospect pool and building chemistry, while Calgary’s is integrating Nemec and finding replacements for Coleman and Maatta. The X-factor for the Flames is Nemec’s early chemistry with his defensive partner and the power-play unit. For the Kraken, the key is how quickly new acquisitions and rookies adapt to the NHL pace. Special teams will be a battleground — Calgary will want to test Nemec on the man advantage, while Seattle will look to establish its penalty kill. Goaltending depth will also be on display, as both teams are likely to split the game between netminders.
- Simon Nemec’s Flames debut: power-play usage and offensive-zone starts
- Seattle’s lineup battles: prospects and new faces getting extended looks
- Life after Coleman and Maatta: which Flames step up in expanded roles
- Special teams early-season chemistry
- Goaltending rotation and early impressions
Prediction
This is a true exhibition game, so the final score is almost irrelevant. The Flames have more on the line with Nemec’s debut and a retooled roster, which should give them a slight edge in motivation. Expect Calgary to control play in stretches, especially on the power play, and take a narrow win. Prediction: Flames 4, Kraken 3 in a preseason shootout.
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