Calgary Flames' brass say that a video concept of a new, high-tech arena for the team does not mean a new facility is on the way and an announcement on a new rink is a long way off.
Hockey pundits were raving about a recent broadcast of Daily Planet that featured an animation of a stadium concept created by a leading international architectural firm named Populous.
The firm has had a hand in designing eight other NHL arenas.
In the animation, there is a 'transforming arena' which features a roof that moves up and down to change the shape of the stadium, a Calgary Flames logo is at centre ice and the jumbotron features footage of Flames players.
The video fueled speculation that owners are working on a design for a new arena but Flames President and CEO, Ken King says it's no secret the franchise is interested in a new arena design, but the video doesn't mean plans are imminent.
"It was among a number of concepts that we've had a look at, we looked at it some time ago, it was actually released in conjunction with an unrelated sort of innovative architecture thing. We've been working on our building. We continue to work on it. It's our hope to announce something, I guess when we're ready, and we're not there yet," said King.
King says the organization continues to work towards a replacement for the Scotiabank Saddledome but an announcement is still a long way off.
