Calgary likely won't be a big player in free agency, but has options for depth roles
Calgary likely won't be a big player in free agency, but has options for depth roles
Unless the Calgary Flames swing a headline-creating trade — such as one involving Elias Lindholm or Noah Hanifin — don’t expect them to be big-time players when free agency opens on Canada Day.
Their limited salary-cap space ensures that to be true.
It will take a huge deal for the Flames to chase the likes of Vladimir Tarasenko, Matt Duchene, Ryan O’Reilly or Dmitry Orlov. And frankly, such moves don’t make sense, even if the player wanted to come to Calgary.
Even though the Flames are most in need of a forward, preferably one that can play center, don’t plan to see them among the suiters for even the second-tier UFAs in the likes of Alex Kerfoot, Daniel Sprong or Michael Bunting.
That said, the Flames could find something among the lengthy list of players who were not tendered qualifying offers by Friday’s deadline, and instead of becoming restricted free agents are now unrestricted free agents.
Here are some potential targets for Calgary if they are looking for a young veteran player to fill a roster spot, but still allow their young skaters an opportunity to play in the big leagues.
Sam Steel
The 5-foot-11, 190-pound forward posted 10 goals and 28 points in 65 games for the Minnesota Wild. Steel, 25, with an $825,000 cap hit in 2022-23, can play center or wing.
Jaret Anderson-Dolan (pictured above)
The 23-year-old center from Calgary, a second-round pick (41st overall) in 2017 of the Los Angeles Kings, collected seven goals and 12 points in 46 games. He carried a $750,000 cap hit last season.
Max Comtois
A 6-foot-2, 215-pound left winger, the 24-years-old Comtois has regressed in each of the past two seasons after starting his career on a strong note. How much of a haircut he will have to take from the $2.55-million salary he received last season remains to be seen, but it likely will be of note after a nine-goal, 19-point season with the Anaheim Ducks.
Ryan Poehling
A 6-foot-2, 205-pound left winger, Poehling, 24, collected seven goals and 14 points in 53 games for the Pittsburgh Penguins. The cap hit for the first-round pick (25th overall) by Montreal in 2017 was $750,000.
Jesper Boqvist
The 24-year-old center, a second-round pick of the New Jersey Devils (36th overall) in 2017, posted 10 goals and 21 points in 70 games. The
6-foot, 180-pound forward had a salary of $874,125 last season.
Nathan Bastian
At 6-foot-4, 205-pounds, Bastien, 25, would provide some size on the right wing. A second-round (41st overall), in 2016, he collected six goals and 15 points in 54 games with the Devils while holding an $825,000 cap hit.
Michael McLeod
Also with the Devils, the 25-year-old center notched four goals and 26 points in 80 games last season. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound McLeod, who was drafted 12th overall in 2016, had a $1 million salary.
Christian Fischer
Fischer, 26, is coming off a 13-goal, 27-point season with the Arizona Coyotes, who drafted him 32nd overall in 2015. The 6-foot-2, 214-pound right winger, had a $1,125,875 cap hit. When he signed his first pro contract, current Flames president of hockey operations Don Maloney, was the Coyotes’ GM.
Morgan Geekie
A 6-foot-3, 200-pound center, the 24-year-old notched nine goals and 28 points in 69 games with the Seattle Kraken. Geekie had a $1.4 million salary last season.
Axel Jonsson-Fjallby
A Group 6 free-agent, who would have been a RFA if he’d have played one more game, the 25-year-old left winger collected six goals and 14 points in 50 games last season with the Winnipeg Jets. His calling card is speed, being a 6-foot, 170-pound winger who had a $750,000 salary.
Denis Malgin
Capable of playing on either wing, Malgin, 26, notched 13 goals and 21 points in 65 games split between Toronto and Colorado with a $750,000 cap hit last season. One drawback is his size, 5-foot-9, 180-pound.