Welcome to FlamesNation’s official live blog of the opening day of the Calgary Flames’ 2025 free agency period.

What a difference a year makes! After a 2023-24 season of change, Flames general manager Craig Conroy went into the 2024 free agency period looking to find some short-term solutions to long-term roster problems. He engaged in a flurry of signings early in July 2024, adding Jake Bean, Anthony Mantha and Ryan Lomberg to add roster depth.

Flash forward to this year, and the Flames largely seem content to head into 2025-26 with more roster spots open for young players to battle over – especially after Dustin Wolf and Matt Coronato cemented themselves not just as NHL regulars in 2024-25, but pretty important players for the Flames. They would like to avoid blocking other young players from doing the same, most notably the potential move to the NHL for top prospect Zayne Parekh.

That’s not to say that the Flames will be doing nothing on July 1. With Dan Vladar’s future likely unfolding away from Calgary, the Flames need a backup goaltender, or at least a goaltender to battle with returning Calgary Wranglers starter Devin Cooley for the NHL backup slot. They might also be adding to add some depth in the defensive position; and again, that could be someone that could battle for NHL slots with some of the younger players, but that you wouldn’t lose sleep over putting with the Wranglers if one or more of the Flames’ prospects seem ready for prime time. (Y’know how the Flames have and really like Dryden Hunt? Imagine a defender version of him potentially.)

Oh, and don’t forget about the elephant in the room: the future of blueliner and alternate captain Rasmus Andersson. Andersson is eligible to sign an extension as of today, but all indications are that his camp’s contractual desires different fairly significantly from the Flames’, and so it sure does sound like a new home for Andersson is being explored. But Andersson has a six team no-trade list, and both Andersson and the Flames know that the club can maximize its return for Andersson if he’s going somewhere to sign a long-term deal, so there are complicating factors involved.

Goaltending ace Dustin Wolf, the runner-up for the Calder Trophy last season, is also entering the final year of his current contract. He, too, is eligible to sign an extension as of today that would start in 2026-27. There’s been far less chatter out there about that, though.

It won’t necessarily be the busiest free agency period in Flames history, but there’s no shortage of things to keep an eye on as things get going.

Be sure to keep checking back here throughout the day for updates! Also, be sure to tune into the Daily Faceoff Free Agency Special below!

8:30 a.m. MT: We have our first Flames news of the day! Blueliner Joel Hanley, who technically became a free agent at midnight ET, has re-signed with the Flames on a two year deal with a $1.75 million AAV. He’s the eighth blueliner on a one-way contract for 2025-26, and that does not include Zayne Parekh, who will be given every chance to stick around on the big club’s roster in October.

10 a.m. MT: The market has officially opened. As of right now, free agents and teams are able to officially negotiate contracts.

10:42 a.m. MT: Former Flames backup Dan Vladar has signed in Philadelphia. It’s a two year deal with a $3.35 million AAV.

11:45 a.m. MT: Insider Frank Seravalli tweeted that the Flames are closing in on a deal with Russian netminder Ivan Prosvetov. The Flames have been linked to Prosvetov since a Russian report along those lines back in late May.

1:15 p.m. MT: It’s been really quiet at the Saddledome. It sounds like general manager Craig Conroy will be speaking with the media in the next 20-30 minutes.

1:45 p.m. MT: Craig Conroy just spoke with the media, with nothing much to report. He alluded to a potential goaltender signing that was being worked on, but aside from that, a pretty quiet July 1.

2:40 p.m. MT: The Flames have announced the signing of minor-league defender Nick Cicek, formerly of the Sharks/Canucks farm systems and most recently with Adler Mannheim of the DEL in Germany.

6:00 p.m. MT: And today’s business finally ends with the official announcement from the Flames that they’ve signed Prosvetov.