Morgan Frost has struggled to find a suitable NHL home for his talents since he was taken with the 27th overall pick in 2017.

Once a dynamic prospect playing for the Soo Greyhounds of the OHL, Frost hasn’t exactly exceeded expectations in his pro career. Despite not reaching the lofty projections he was previously assigned, the Aurora native has cemented himself in the Flames’ lineup and is still relatively young at 25 years of age.

This is a pivotal summer for Frost as he is now due an extension for the third time in his young career. He was initially extended by the Philadelphia Flyers on a one-year, $800,000 deal in 2022 upon the expiration of his entry-level contract. After a breakout 46 point campaign the following season, the Flyers rewarded him with a new two-year deal worth $2.1 million annually.

Frost delivered in year one of his second deal, totalling 41 points in 71 games, but failed to take another step last season, the final year of his contract, where he registered 37 points in 81 contests between Philadelphia and Calgary. Some of his struggles could be a result of the sudden change of scenery that occurred when he was dealt to the Flames by the team that drafted and developed him.

Uprooting in January to go to a completely new market is going to be tough on any player, regardless of whether or not they’re doing so with a teammate, as he did with Joel Farabee. So, although his numbers as a Flame are rather bleak (12 points in 32 games), they’re likely not an accurate representation of the production we can expect from Frost moving forward, especially given the Flames’ low output offensively in 2024-25.

This leaves the question of what kind of player can Morgan Frost be for this Calgary Flames team?

Frost is another of the Calgary RFAs whose future is difficult to project. Evidently, the Flames’ style of play did not suit the young centreman, plus he comes with an added caveat, having been inserted into a new lineup/system midway through the year.

Craig Conroy had hoped a new setting would reflect well on Frost, and it may still, but the fact of the matter is the two sides must come to an agreement before we have any more of an idea on what exactly this player is.

Calgary holds the upper hand in this particular negotiation as Frost is under team control as an RFA and is coming off an underwhelming season. His play last year doesn’t necessarily prompt a pay raise, so a new deal with the Flames will likely carry similar or lesser value to that of his current $2.1 million AAV.

The real mystery in these extension talks lies in the length of the contract.

Based on the league’s UFA eligibility rules, Frost will become a UFA after this contract, no matter what, as he turns 26 on May 14. A one year “prove-it” style contract could be appealing to both sides as the Flames need more of a look at the player before committing long term, and Frost probably believes he can raise his current value with improved play in 2025-26.

However, going with a short term deal leaves the door open for Frost to walk when it expires. Allowing him to leave next free agency would be awkward for Flames’ management, considering they identified him as a fit and then gave up pieces to acquire him.

All things considered, it would be surprising if Conroy and co opted for longer than a three year contract unless they could do so at an incredibly affordable number, which Frost would be well-advised to avoid.

Ultimately, it will be interesting to see how Calgary management chooses to approach this unique situation in the coming months.