New Additions: G Ivan Prosvetov (1yr x $950k)

Subtractions: F Anthony Mantha (to PIT), G Dan Vladar (to PHI), D Tyson Barrie (Retired), F Kevin Rooney (to NJD)

Retentions/Extensions: F Matt Coronato (7yr x $6.5M AAV), F Adam Klapka (2yr x $1.25M AAV), F Dryden Hunt (2yr x $825k AAV), F Justin Kirkland (1yr x $900k), D Kevin Bahl (6yr x $5.35M), D Joel Hanley (2yr x $1.75M AAV), F Morgan Frost (2yr x $4.375M AAV), F Martin Pospisil (3yr x $2.5M AAV), F Connor Zary (3yr $3.775M AAV), G Dustin Wolf (7yr x $7.5M AAV)

Last season I was truly impressed by the year the Flames had. Their roster looked a lot different on opening night than it did the previous year, moving on from pieces like Noah Hanifin, Elias Lindholm, and Nikita Zadorov at the 2024 trade deadline. As well as trading their starting goalie Jacob Markstrom in the offseason. They seemed to be entering a rebuilding phase, moving on from a lot of their veteran talent. Many people including myself were expecting the Flames to compete for the first overall pick, but instead, they were competing to make the playoffs all the way into April.

Calgary was 29th in the league last year in goals scored. With an offense lacking an elite forward, instead being headlined by great complimentary players in Nazem Kadri and Jonathan Huberdeau, their offense struggled as expected. But the team adopted a gritty, defense-first style of play that allowed them to limit other teams and stay in games despite their lack of talent. Nearly 30 percent of their games required overtime, tied for the most in the league with 24 games needing extra time. 

Called upon to replace Markstrom in net was rookie Dustin Wolf. There had been much anticipation for him to get his chance at a full time role in the NHL. Wolf was one of the top goaltending prospects across the league for a few seasons, posting great numbers in junior and in the minors. He was called up in 2023-24 and in 17 appearances, he showed enough to give the team confidence to move on from Markstrom. He was exceptional in his rookie season, finishing second in Calder voting, tied for eighth in Vezina voting, and even receiving one fourth place vote on a Hart ballot. His 29-16-8 record, paired with a .910 SV% and 2.64 GAA earned him a seven year extension after just one full season in the big leagues. If he is able to build on his success or at the very least maintain his impressive play, his $7.5M cap hit could be viewed as one of the bigger bargains at his position. I fully expect another solid campaign from the young netminder, and with Vladar (30 GP in 24-25) leaving in free agency, Wolf will be expected to take on an even larger workload.

The main focus of the offseason was retaining and extending the young core. Matt Coronato also chose to sign long term in Calgary, he finished third in both goals (24) and points (47). Defenceman Kevin Bahl is also a part of the long term plans, signing a six year extension with the club. He came over from New Jersey in the Markstrom deal and was a welcome addition to the blue line, playing the third most minutes per night, killing penalties, and providing a towering presence standing at 6’6″. Martin Pospisil and Connor Zary were both given three year deals. The two provide very different things for the forward group, as Pospisil is a power forward who does not shy from using his body, he led the team with 301 hits last season. Zary is more of a skilled top six forward, he was selected in the first round in 2020 (24th overall), looking to take a leap in production, he currently has 61 points in 117 career games over the last two seasons.

Longtime Flame defenceman Rasmus Andersson is reportedly on his way out, wanting to play for a new team, and receive a major raise from his current $4.55M salary. He is in the final year of his contract, so the Flames may just play it out in hopes he wants to stay, but the signs point towards an inevitable trade. Much like when Markstrom left, Andersson leaving would open a huge hole on the Flames blue line. Mackenzie Weegar would likely benefit, receiving even more time on ice and on the powerplay, but the departure could likely make way for 2024 9th overall pick, Zayne Parekh. He has displayed elite offensive potential, recording 203 points over 127 games in the past two seasons for the Saginaw Spirit of the OHL. He debuted with the club at the end of last season, scoring a goal and playing over 20 minutes in his only game.

The Flames were not able to bring in any scoring this offseason, in fact they had a very quiet free agency. Only making one signing, goaltender Ivan Prosvetov, who spent last season in the KHL and will compete for the backup job. They will rely on their young forwards to improve to provide the scoring they lacked in 2024-25. Two of those young forwards arrived from Philadelphia in late January 2025, Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost, both former first round picks in need of a fresh start. Farabee has scored 20 goals twice in his young career, and has shown the potential of being a legit top six forward. Frost has also produced offensively in spurts, but always was in the doghouse with John Tortorella. The two came over together in a trade, unfortunately they were not able to find their groove in Calgary. A full offseason and training camp with the club should make the pair more comfortable, and eager to bounce back in their first full year donning the flaming C.

The team on paper screams bottom feeder, outside of a couple bright spots, it is one of the weaker rosters top to bottom in the league. But the same thing was said last season. I expect more offense from the team this year, although it is hard to get worse than 29th in the league. Parekh could really give the team a boost from the back end, however having been drafted in 2024, the team may give him some time in the AHL before he is a full time NHLer. If Wolf’s numbers drop off from his impressive rookie season, the team could struggle and be looking at a top pick in next year’s draft. Which would not necessarily be a bad thing, as they are building towards something in Calgary, and they might just be one great draft pick away from it all coming together.