Whoever replaces former Calgary Flames GM Brad Treliving will face a significant task of dealing with six key players who are pending UFAs in 2024.
This off-season was expected to be another uncertain one for the Calgary Flames after failing to qualify for the 2023 NHL playoffs. The departure of GM Brad Treliving on Monday adds another level of intrigue to this situation.
Don Maloney takes over as president of hockey operations and interim GM. He will lead the search for Treliving's replacement.
This move isn't expected to affect Darryl Sutter's position as the coach, at least until a new GM is in place. It does, however, create more uncertainty regarding the club's off-season roster moves.
A particular concern is the fate of those Flames eligible for UFA status in 2024. According to CapFriendly, that list includes centers Mikael Backlund and Elias Lindholm, winger Tyler Toffoli and defensemen Noah Hanifin, Chris Tanev and Nikita Zadorov.
During their end-of-season press conference on Friday, TSN's Salim Valji reported Backlund and Lindholm sounded non-committal about re-signing with the Flames before next summer.
Backlund said he loved playing in Calgary but wants to win the Stanley Cup, adding he wasn't sure what would happen if offered a contract extension this summer. Lindholm, meanwhile, pointed out that he's got a year left on his contract and would see how things go.
Valji noted that Toffoli and Zadorov were more upbeat about sticking around. Both players also praised Sutter, who faced media criticism this season over his handling of the roster.
Sorting out the futures of next summer's UFA crop will be a priority for whoever becomes the Flames' new GM. Perhaps one or two of those players will be moved before the start of next season.