The Calgary Flames have missed the playoffs for a 3rd straight season. While that’s discouraging, they’ve draft capital, quality pieces in place, and cap space to make a change. While trades within the NHL will be difficult, the Flames have all of the parts available to make an enormous one occur.
The Flames haven’t made many major moves this summer to date. They brought back Adam Klapka while also re-signing Morgan Frost to a two-year deal. Still, Klapka was not a serious a part of the team that just missed the playoffs last 12 months, while Frost was a mid-season addition. The Flames finished just outside the playoff picture and wish to make some additions with a view to make it back to the playoffs this 12 months.
Calgary is healthy by way of cap space. They have over $15 million in cap space to work with currently. Additionally they have loads of draft capital. Within the 2026 NHL draft, they hold two first-round picks, in addition to two within the third round. Further, they’re only missing two seventh-round picks over the subsequent three seasons. There are also the persistent trade rumors surrounding considered one of their top defenders, Rasmus Andersson. Even when the Flames don’t move Andersson, multiple trade options in the marketplace may benefit Calgary. In the event that they wish to contend in a deep Western Conference, moves have to be made. The most effective moves may involve using their draft capital, or Andersson, to lure a young, restricted free agent to Alberta.
The Flames make a move for a restricted free agent
There are multiple restricted free agents still in the marketplace, but two that would heavily profit the Flames. The primary is making a move for Marco Rossi. Calgary does have loads of depth at the middle position currently. Nazem Kadri controls the highest line, while Mikael Backlund sits on the second line. Frost and Martin Pospisil sit behind him. Bringing in one other center would require considered one of them to maneuver to a wing. Still, the talent of Rossi is undeniable.
Last season, the highest scorer on the team was Kadri with 35 goals and 67 total points. Further, just two players had over 50 points, while just three players had over 20 goals. Meanwhile, Rossi had 24 goals and 36 assists, good for 60 total points. In his two full seasons within the NHL, he has scored 40 or more points in each of them. He has also scored 20 or more goals in each full seasons. The Austrian center has also been highly reliable, playing in 82 games in each of his two seasons.
The Wild have been clear that they need to usher in a return that may improve the team this 12 months. This could most certainly require parting with greater than just draft picks, and will include Andersson. Still, Rossi can be a serious addition to the top-six forwards of the Flames and will push them right into a playoff spot this upcoming campaign. They may also attempt to entice the Wild with a player like Yegor Sharangovich, who has been solid in his NHL profession and is under contract for five more seasons. Regardless, this will likely be an expensive trade for the Flames, however it can be value it to snag Rossi.
The opposite option is attempting to directly replace Andersson. The Flames’ blue liner is within the last 12 months of his contract, and is just 28 years old. There was an impasse in regard to his contract negotiations. While he does have a modified no-trade clause, it’s only a six-team list. The Flames could work with him to facilitate improving the team long-term.
To switch Andersson, the Flames should go after Bowen Byram from the Sabres. The Sabres have offered salary arbitration to their blue liner, and while that forestalls a proposal sheet, he can still be traded. Byram played in all 82 games for the Sabres last season, scoring seven goals and adding 31 assists.
The Canadian-born defender was the fourth overall pick of the Colorado Avalanche within the 2019 NHL Draft. He can be traded in the course of the 2023-24 season to the Sabres, having considered one of his best campaigns this past 12 months. Byram would most certainly cost the Flames Andersson, but they’d be snagging a 24-year-old who’s moving into the prime of his profession.
The proper situation for the Flames can be to get two players from the Sabres. Buffalo could have an interest in trading Alex Tuch. This could include a hefty price tag for the Flames, but they’re in a situation to pay it with draft capital.
The previous first-round pick of the Minnesota Wild would spend time with the Vegas Golden Knights before moving to Buffalo as a part of the Jack Eichel trade. He has scored 20 or more goals in each of the last two seasons, while also scoring 36 goals this past season. He does come at a price of $4.75 million, but when the Flames move Andersson for the mixture of Byram and Tuch, not only can they afford it, however it should give them a push towards a playoff berth.
The Flames were nearly a playoff team last 12 months and now have two first-round picks in 2026. With those two picks, plus the potential of trading a top blue liner, they should make moves, and restricted free agency provides the right window.