If Jacob Markstrom makes it to free agency Friday, believe Calgary will make a competitive, long-term pitch. Also am of the understanding #Flames are a preferred landing spot if Markstrom doesn’t return to Vancouver.
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FGD: July 1, except it’s October 9 (Happy UFA Day)
Photo credit: Perry Nelson/USA Today Sports
Folks, it’s four months later than usual, but today is the beginning of the National Hockey League’s free agent frenzy (and technically the opening day of the 2020-21 league year). The Calgary Flames have some jobs to fill and some money to work with.
It could be a noteworthy day.
Signings can be filed with the league starting at 10 a.m. MT!
Contracts
As noted prior to the draft, the Flames have 14 players under contract for 2020-21 who are basically locks to be on the NHL roster. Plus one qualified RFA who is also a lock:
Forwards:
Johnny Gaudreau ($6.75 million) | Sean Monahan ($6.375 million) | Elias Lindholm ($4.85 million) |
Andrew Mangiapane (RFA with arb rights) | Mikael Backlund ($5.35 million) | Matthew Tkachuk ($7 million) |
Milan Lucic ($5.25 million) | Sam Bennett ($2.55 million) | Dillon Dube ($778,333) |
TBD | Derek Ryan ($3.125 million) | TBD |
Defense:
Mark Giordano ($6.75 million) | Rasmus Andersson ($4.55 million) |
Noah Hanifin ($4.95 million) | TBD |
Juuso Valimaki ($894,166) | TBD |
Goalies:
David Rittich ($2.75 million) | TBD |
Presumably, the Flames will carry an extra forward and an extra defenseman, so that means there’s seven spots (a goalie, three defense and three forwards) up for grabs.
Internal candidates to fill the defensive TBDs are Oliver Kylington (RFA), Alexander Yelesin ($925,000) and Connor Mackey ($925,000).
Internal candidates to fill the forward TBDs Glenn Gawdin (RFA), Matthew Phillips ($733,333) and Adam Ruzicka ($801,666).
Cap space
The cap ceiling for 2020-21 – and for awhile – is $81.5 million. From the 14 players we noted above, the Flames have $61.9 million committed. Additionally, they owe $1.5 million from Troy Brouwer’s buyout and $1,166,667 from Michael Stone’s buyout. So that means $64.6 million is committed overall.
That leaves $16.9 million available to re-sign Andrew Mangiapane and fill the other seven spots.
Possibilities
We’ve gotten into this elsewhere on the site lately, but the Flames are reportedly in the middle of everything.
T.J Brodie sits 14th on TSN’s Free Agent Frenzy Top 100 list. Flames aren’t quite ready to cut him loose yet. Ongoing contract discussions with Calgary on the eve of free agency.
Cam Talbot's camp had more talks with Calgary today. Sounds like he's headed to market based on current gap in contract talks. Obviously that can change in next 24 hours.
The parallel tracks the team is exploring is goaltending and a potential top-four defender. Cam Talbot, TJ Brodie and Travis Hamonic all appear to be headed to free agency. Andersson takes one of the Brodie/Hamonic spots, but the Flames are seeking to upgrade goaltending and their defense. Doing so without blowing all their cap space is the goal.
But there are a lot of other teams trying to do the exact same thing. We’ll see how the day – and perhaps the long weekend – unfolds.
Breaking News
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Calgary FlamesTeam Cap Summary
Cap Summary
2026-27
2027-28
Projected Cap Hit
$89,116,666
$70,041,666
Projected Cap Space
$14,883,334
$43,458,334
Current Cap Space
$14,883,334
$43,458,334
Active Players
23/23
16/23
Draft Picks
Round
'26
'27
1
2
1
2
3
2
3
1
2