Aside from the years where the season is cut short by a labour dispute, traditionally the NHL has a break in late January or February. Sometimes it's for the All-Star Game and sometimes it's for the Olympics, but there's usually break for fans, athletes and media alike to have a nap, see our families and perhaps have a quick vacation to recharge.
As you can expect, how well (or poorly) the Flames are doing at these breaks has a big impact on how the team does once they're rested up and on the general manager's strategy at the trade deadline - which is usually a few weeks after they get back from their break.