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Could the Flames be major players in NHL free agency?

Friends, there are two things we know about the Calgary Flames right now.

The first is that they feel like they took a big step forward in 2024-25, posting 96 points and missing out on the Stanley Cup playoffs on tiebreakers in a season where many thought they would be bottom-dwellers. The second is that the Flames have, mathematically-speaking, oodles of salary cap space heading into the off-season.

And the combination of some upward standings momentum and ample cap space has led some to ponder whether the Flames will be a main character in the upcoming free agent market.

On Tuesday over at Daily Faceoff, Anthony Di Marco reported that the Flames could be “big-game hunting” this off-season:

Speaking with a source close to the situation in Calgary, the Flames are going to explore ways to bolster their lineup this summer. But the plan is not to acquire just any name; if the Flames are to make an outside addition, it will be a top UFA or trade target. Based on conversations I’ve had with those inside the organization, the Flames plan to go “big game hunting” in Free Agency; if Calgary cannot land one of the bigger-name free agents, they will explore the trade market or carry their cap space into next season and go from there.

Here’s the broad strokes of the Flames’ salary cap and roster situation right now, with 15 NHL incumbents under contract following Matt Coronato’s recent contract:

• Forwards (9): Jonathan Huberdeau ($10.5 million), Nazem Kadri ($7 million), Matt Coronato ($6.5 million), Yegor Sharangovich ($5.75 million), Joel Farabee ($5 million), Blake Coleman ($4.9 million), Mikael Backlund ($4.5 million), Ryan Lomberg ($2 million) and Martin Pospisil ($1 million)
• Defencemen (5): MacKenzie Weegar ($6.25 million), Rasmus Andersson ($4.55 million), Jake Bean ($1.75 million), Daniil Miromanov ($1.25 million) and Brayden Pachal ($1.19 million)
• Goaltender (1): Dustin Wolf ($850,000)
• Retained salary: Jacob Markstrom ($1.875 million)

The Flames have about $64.87 million committed under the $95.5 million salary cap, leaving them $30.63 million in space. Once they lock up restricted free agents Morgan Frost, Connor Zary and Kevin Bahl, they’ll still have tons of cap space.

But based on what Flames general manager Craig Conroy was saying during exit interviews last month, don’t expect the Flames just to spend money willy-nilly:

“Our goal is to make the playoffs and go from there,” said Conroy. “But it’s going to take some more young guys, and we’re going to look in free agency to see if there’s something that makes sense. Again, we’re not just going to spend money.”

Asked if a quiet free agency period could be expected, Conroy noted that he’s challenged the pro scouting group to find “different maker” players that could be long-term fits, but acknowledged that it’s unlikely that the club’s wish list would be a very long one.

“You know, obviously we didn’t make the playoffs, but 96 points, close,” said Conroy. “You know, is there someone that could push us over that edge? We’re going to look to see if we can find that person and add them next year. But if we don’t, I would say we would not do a lot.”

The Flames were one of the NHL’s lowest-spending teams in 2024-25, and they very nearly made the post-season. They’ll probably spend a bit more in 2025-26, especially with the salary cap going up, but we’ll see if one of the players on the Flames’ wish list become available, or if they end up having another quiet free agency period.

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Source: https://flamesnation.ca/news/could-the-flames-be-major-players-in-nhl-free-agency