You need at least one superstar.

It’s reasonable to argue that the Calgary Flames don’t have any. Jonathan Huberdeau has significantly struggled to reach his previous heights, and Nazem Kadri is elite, but he’s not a superstar (yet).

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The Florida Panthers have several and just won the Stanley Cup last year. Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk would certainly fit the bill, both in performance and demeanor. 

Luckily for the Flames, it looks like one big name will be testing the free agency waters, and they'd better be calling his agent come July 1st.

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Mitch Marner Set For Free Agency

Signs are pointing towards Toronto Maple Leafs superstar Mitch Marner at least testing out free agency to see what’s out there. This writer can think of 31 organizations that would be over the moon to have a player of Marner’s calibre on their roster.

Chris Johnston of The Athletic reported that, “there is a growing sense that Marner would like a fresh start with a different team next season.”

Mitch Marner Would Make The Calgary Flames A Better Team

Marner would be a massive addition for the Flames. He’s been over a point-per-game player since his third season in the NHL. 

In the 2024-25 season, he recorded 102 points while averaging 21:19 in 81 games. Marner has also enjoyed a good playoff run. He has 12 points in 11 games before Friday night’s Game 6 against the Panthers. 

If he joined the Flames, he would be reunited with former teammate Kadri. A top line of Kadri, Marner, and Huberdeau could emerge. That would be an incredibly deadly combination for the Flames.

The Flames currently have $17 million in cap space. That’s before the increase thats scheduled for next season and all of the money coming off of the books in the offseason.

They certainly have the space to make this move. Will Marner want to come to the Flames to be reunited with a former teammate? Only time will tell.

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