menu_open Columnists
Salim Valji

Salim Valji

TSN

We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

Kirkland’s comeback earns him Flames’ Masterton nomination

Two years after a car accident nearly robbed him of his hockey career, Justin Kirkland is the Calgary Flames’ nominee for the Bill Masterton...

latest 2

TSN

Salim Valji

Stanley Cup champion Lomberg motivating Flames during push to the playoffs

Calgary Flames veteran forward Ryan Lomberg has a simple message for his teammates as they continue their push for a playoff spot. “The year...

06.04.2025 10

TSN

Salim Valji

Flames fight to keep flickering playoff hopes alive

Calgary Flames forward Blake Coleman figures the team needs to win at least six of its remaining eight games to have a chance at the playoffs. ...

05.04.2025 8

TSN

Salim Valji

Backlund returns as Flames face Stars

In the midst of a four-game winning streak and firmly in the race for a playoff spot, the Calgary Flames will get a key part of their lineup back...

29.03.2025 3

TSN

Salim Valji

Clutch Kadri delivering for Flames when it matters most

Morgan Frost knew. So did Adam Klapka. When the game is on Nazem Kadri’s stick, his Calgary Flames teammates have begun to assume it’ll quickly...

28.03.2025 6

TSN

Salim Valji

Coronato’s hot streak comes at perfect time for Flames

Maybe it was the home-cooked meatballs that did the trick. Matt Coronato, the 22-year-old Calgary Flames right winger, suited up for the first time...

26.03.2025 8

TSN

Salim Valji

Wild FC unveil kit ahead of NSL opener

In one of their first meetings as members of Wild FC, Calgary’s first professional women’s soccer team and a founding member of the Northern Super...

22.03.2025 9

TSN

Salim Valji

Flames seeking secondary scoring in playoff race with Backlund out

To alleviate the loss of their most important player, the Calgary Flames altered how they deploy their stars.  Mikael Backlund’s absence on Friday...

17.03.2025 10

TSN

Salim Valji

Backlund’s absence creates massive hole in Flames lineup

Mikael Backlund’s absence creates a massive hole in the Calgary Flames lineup tonight as they prepare to host the Colorado Avalanche. The captain...

16.03.2025 10

TSN

Salim Valji

Flames lose crucial game against Canucks in shootout: 'it was three points lost, not one'

It was three points lost, not one, according to Calgary Flames veteran blueliner MacKenzie Weegar.  The stalwart defenceman, who played a team-high...

14.03.2025 3

TSN

Salim Valji

Happy to be home, Flames focus on finishing strong

Calgary Flames blueliner MacKenzie Weegar called the club’s recent six-game road trip the toughest of his career, and now he’s looking forward to...

13.03.2025 8

TSN

Salim Valji

Flames stay quiet on busy deadline day

The Calgary Flames concluded their 2025 Trade Deadline with the same roster they’ve had for the previous six weeks, a welcome departure to previous...

09.03.2025 6

TSN

Salim Valji

Flames unfazed by looming trade deadline

DALLAS – The Calgary Flames are unfazed by Friday’s looming trade deadline, a stark contrast to a season ago when the club was subject of plenty...

08.03.2025 4

TSN

Salim Valji

Improved chemistry helping Flames in surprise playoff chase

Of all Calgary Flames goalie Dustin Wolf’s accomplishments this season, including sitting near the top of the NHL leaderboard in several categories...

27.02.2025 6

TSN

Salim Valji

Flames take sides ahead of 4 Nations final

CALGARY– During Blake Coleman’s media scrum after Calgary Flames practice on Thursday, fellow American Dustin Wolf strolled by and loudly...

22.02.2025 10

TSN

Salim Valji

Flames return to practice with eyes on 4 Nations Face-Off final

Calgary Flames forward Connor Zary said that Canadian and American players aren’t chirping each other yet ahead of their countries facing one...

20.02.2025 10

TSN

Salim Valji

Frost, Farabee getting comfortable as Flames

Calgary Flames sophomore Matt Coronato is pulling double duty these days. Not only is the winger the club’s third-leading scorer with 30 points in...

09.02.2025 10

TSN

Salim Valji

Kylington grateful for his time with Flames

Oliver Kylington, once viewed as a fixture on the Calgary Flames blueline before his summer departure from the team, returns to the Saddledome on...

08.02.2025 4

TSN

Salim Valji

Forced offence, overworked defence amount to tough loss at home for Flames vs. Leafs

The Calgary Flames, tied 2-2 with a Toronto Maple Leafs team that has more talent on paper, had the puck in the offensive zone midway through the...

06.02.2025 9

TSN

Salim Valji

Former Flames teammates salute ‘warrior’ Tanev in return to Calgary

For three-and-a-half seasons, Chris Tanev threw his body in front of more than 500 pucks directed at the Calgary Flames’ net. The heart-and-soul...

06.02.2025 10

TSN

Salim Valji

Farabee, Frost excited for opportunity with Flames team on the rise

Both Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost say they’re ready to embrace fresh starts in Calgary after being acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers Thursday...

03.02.2025 9

TSN

Salim Valji

Flames believe Frost, Farabee bring offensive boost

It turns out Craig Conroy’s phone was working the whole time. The Calgary Flames’ general manager joked on Thursday night that fans in the city...

01.02.2025 4

TSN

Salim Valji

Flames players say mental health support making a positive impact

Calgary Flames centre Kevin Rooney admits it took him a while to get comfortable when he first joined the team in 2022. Rooney, then 29, had worked...

23.01.2025 6

TSN

Salim Valji

Rookie G Wolf one of the driving forces behind Flames' playoff push

Well past the halfway mark of the season, the Calgary Flames occupy the second wild-card spot with a 22-16-7 record and their rookie goalie has been...

23.01.2025 3

TSN

Salim Valji

Orimolade ready to lead rebuilding Stampeders

Defensive end Folarin Orimolade returns to the Calgary Stampeders with another Grey Cup ring and ready to be contribute to a revamped culture with his...

15.01.2025 5

TSN

Salim Valji

Flames' Zary will not require surgery, remains without timetable for return

The Calgary Flames announced forward Connor Zary will not require surgery after sustaining a knee injury on Thursday. He will begin his rehab...

12.01.2025 4

TSN

Salim Valji

Flames still uncertain about severity of Zary injury

The Calgary Flames announced forward Connor Zary will not require surgery after sustaining a knee injury on Thursday. He will begin his rehab...

12.01.2025 10

TSN

Salim Valji

Parekh talks World Juniors, evolution in his game, and second half in Saginaw

Calgary Flames prospect Zayne Parekh’s December was hectic. The ninth-overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft suited up nine times for the Saginaw...

09.01.2025 10

TSN

Salim Valji

Hanley making the most of opportunity with Flames

Calgary Flames blueliner Joel Hanley is savouring the opportunity of a lifetime as a regular, top-four defenceman in the NHL a decade after he...

07.01.2025 4

TSN

Salim Valji

Flames star Huberdeau rediscovers swagger in resurgent season

Calgary Flames star Jonathan Huberdeau has rediscovered his swagger and is on pace for a career-high 34 goals. A year ago, he ended December with...

02.01.2025 3

TSN

Salim Valji

Andersson’s future the biggest question facing Flames in 2025

As the calendar flips to 2025, the Calgary Flames are firmly in the playoff conversation and playing much better than many anticipated before this...

01.01.2025 2

TSN

Salim Valji

Flames hope struggling Kuzmenko finds scoring touch

The Calgary Flames want Andrei Kuzmenko to change his approach to shooting. The Russian winger is in the final year of a two-year, $11 million deal...

01.01.2025 6

TSN

Salim Valji

Conroy sees positive signs as Flames hit holiday break

At 16-11-7, the Calgary Flames are firmly in the Western Conference playoff conversation nearing the season’s halfway mark, a better record than...

25.12.2024 3

TSN

Salim Valji

Conroy sees positive signs at Flames hit holiday break

At 16-11-7, the Calgary Flames are firmly in the Western Conference playoff conversation nearing the season’s halfway mark, a better record than...

24.12.2024 2

TSN

Salim Valji

Flames optimistic after resounding win leading up to holiday break

Jonathan Huberdeau, named first star after he scored a short-handed breakaway goal, had an assist, and was a force at both ends of the rink in the...

23.12.2024 10

TSN

Salim Valji

Kadri, Huberdeau finally finding on-ice chemistry for Flames

Nazem Kadri and Jonathan Huberdeau’s off-ice relationship is translating to on-ice success, and the chemistry between the veteran forwards could...

18.12.2024 3

TSN

Salim Valji

Flames' Lomberg receives Stanley Cup ring and praise from Panthers

Months after he moved on from the Florida Panthers, Ryan Lomberg’s former teammates still smile when talking about the energy and enthusiasm he...

16.12.2024 3

TSN

Salim Valji

Flames' Lomberg receives Stanley Cup ring and praise from Panthers

Months after he moved on from the Florida Panthers, Ryan Lomberg’s former teammates still smile when talking about the energy and enthusiasm he...

16.12.2024 3

TSN

Salim Valji

Flames get back to ‘checking roots’ after lopsided loss to Lightning

The Calgary Flames shuffled their lineup on Friday, a day after the team was outclassed 8-3 by the Tampa Bay Lightning for the franchise’s worst...

15.12.2024 4

TSN

Salim Valji

Flames aim to take advantage of five-game homestand

The Calgary Flames have spent much of the season sitting in a playoff position, but a stretch in which they’ve won four of 10 games has left them...

14.12.2024 5

TSN

Salim Valji

Adams excited for challenge of leading Stampeders

Six years after he first considered joining the Calgary Stampeders, Vernon Adams, Jr. is embracing his role as the new face of the franchise and...

06.12.2024 5

TSN

Salim Valji

Flames, Blue Jackets honour Gaudreau in emotional pregame ceremony

“I hope the people of Calgary can remember me not only as a hockey player, but also as a good person with good values.  “Thank you for supporting...

04.12.2024 20

TSN

Salim Valji

Guy Gaudreau skates with Flames ahead of ceremony honouring sons

Guy Gaudreau took the ice at the Saddledome on Monday, chatting with numerous Calgary Flames players ahead of an emotional game on Tuesday against...

03.12.2024 5

TSN

Salim Valji

Five questions that will shape the CFL off-season

The Calgary Stampeders kicked off the Canadian Football League off-season with a bang on Tuesday, acquiring quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. from the...

28.11.2024 4

TSN

Salim Valji

Dickenson believes Adams can make ‘major difference’ for Stamps

It took some time, but Calgary Stampeders head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson got his man. The former CFL quarterback has liked Vernon...

27.11.2024 3

TSN

Salim Valji

Flames proving that early start is no fluke

Perhaps Calgary Flames captain Mikael Backlund and veteran Nazem Kadri had it right all along. Far before the club got off to the best six-game...

24.11.2024 10

TSN

Salim Valji

Resilient Flames finding ways to win close games

Veteran Calgary Flames forward Blake Coleman stood in front of reporters on Wednesday after practice, jokingly saying sorry to fans of the team. ...

22.11.2024 7

TSN

Salim Valji

Arbuckle ready for whatever comes next in CFL career

An hour after the biggest moment of his professional football career, Nick Arbuckle and his four-year-old daughter, Aaliyah, shared a milkshake at...

21.11.2024 9

TSN

Salim Valji

Wolf not thinking about Calder amid strong start

It’s been 15 years since a goalie last won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year, but Dustin Wolf’s strong start has him on track to...

19.11.2024 3

TSN

Salim Valji

Flames' Zary 'excited' for audition at centre

The Calgary Flames have a new centre–at least temporarily. Connor Zary will play between Jonathan Huberdeau and Yegor Sharangovich when the Flames...

16.11.2024 10

TSN

Salim Valji