

The Calgary Flames are projected to have close to $18 million in cap space according to PuckPedia this summer. With that much cap flexibility, here is list of three UFAs the franchise can sign to improve the team for next season.
Duchene has previously been coached under current Flames assistant Brad Larsen when Larsen was in the same position for the Blue Jackets in the 2018-19 season.
Duchene was traded to Columbus from Ottawa on Feb. 22nd 2019 and played 23 games in his lone season under the tutelage of Larsen and other Columbus coaches. He would record his best post-season performance scoring 10 points in 10 games.
What's to say he can't do the same in Calgary after being reunited with coach Larsen?
The Haliburton, Ontario native just scored the second-highest goals in a season of his career this past season with 25. He has the ability to play both right-wing and centre. The two lines where he played right-wing and centre produced the second and fourth-highest expected goals for the Stars this past season as per Natural Stat Trick.
Would be precisely what Calgary needs.
Yes, another centre. But this time a righty.
Apart from the fact that he, just like Duchene, knows assistant Larsen from his three years playing for his hometown Blue Jackets, the 28-year-old just tied his career-best 22 goals this past season for the Canes.
He ranked sixth amongst Hurricanes players in shots on goal with his shooting percentage being the highest in the top 23.
The Columbus-born forward also bears a face-off percentage higher than any individual Flames did last season.
This signing would add centre depth and put a good scorer on the ice for the Flames.
Nope, there is no previous Flames coach connection here.
Just an inexpensive signing... or at least it should be.
I mentioned before that the Flames were stacked with right-handed defencemen, but lacked lefties. Should the asking price not change too much, the Flames should swoop in and take in Schmidt.
The 33-year-old has led Florida's dominant blueliners in points in the post-season, adding some value to his name.
Certainly would be a MASSIVE upgrade over Joel Hanley and his AAV of $787,500.
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