logo
FlamesNation has no direct affiliation to the Calgary Flames, Calgary Sports and Entertainment, NHL, or NHLPA
What might the Flames organization’s defence look like in 2026-27?
alt
Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Ryan Pike
Apr 4, 2026, 12:00 EDTUpdated: Apr 4, 2026, 12:08 EDT
Comments
The Calgary Flames made a signing earlier this week, inking seventh-round draft selection Axel Hurtig, captain of the Western Hockey League’s Calgary Hitmen, to a three year entry-level contract starting next season.
Hurtig’s deal made him the 10th defenceman in the organization under contract for the 2026-27 season.
As the Flames schedule has been winding down, we’ve been looking ahead to who’s under contract for next season, and the various decisions the Flames have on their plate this off-season.
We’ve already looked in net, so let’s take a look at the blueline!

Under contract

As mentioned, the Flames have 10 defenders under NHL deals for 2026-27. We’ll do this rundown in themed groups.
Kevin Bahl (25) enters the second year of his hefty six year, $5.35 million AAV deal. He’s basically been a top pairing option this season, either as the defensive id to Rasmus Andersson’s offensive tendencies, or on a more pure shutdown pairing alongside Zach Whitecloud. He’s been really solid.
Speaking of Zach Whitecloud (29), he’ll be entering the fifth year of a six year, $2.75 million AAV deal he signed back when he was with Vegas. He’s been really solid, particularly in defensive situations.
Continuing our tour of “defencemen Craig Conroy acquired from other teams,” Olli Maatta (31) will be in the first year of a three year deal with a $3.5 million AAV that he signed when he was in Utah. Maatta’s played on the second or third pairing with the Flames, usually with either Brayden Pachal or Hunter Brzustewicz, but he’s been quite effective so far.
A pair of waiver claims are next up: Joel Hanley (34) and Brayden Pachal (26). Hanley’s in the second year of a $1.75 million AAV deal, while Pachal’s in the second year of a $1,187,500 AAV deal. With the Flames’ youth, neither guy has been emphasized all that much this year, but both guys have been effective depth when called upon.
Finally, young guys!
  • Yan Kuznetsov (24) is the oldest young guy, and he’s in the second year of a $812,500 AAV deal. He’s become a defensive specialist with the Flames in 2025-26 and has quietly been one of the more effective rookie blueliners in the NHL.
  • Hunter Brzustewicz (21) is entering the final year of his three year entry-level deal with a $950,00 AAV. He’s bounced between the NHL and AHL a bit this season – his waiver exemption has made him the easiest guy to send up and down – but he’s been solid if unspectacular with the Flames.
  • Zayne Parekh (20) is entering the second year of his entry-level deal with a $942,500 AAV. He’ll be eligible to play in the NHL or AHL in 2026-27, but we suspect the Flames will give him every chance to be on the big club’s roster given the flashes of brilliance he’s shown down the stretch. (We won’t rule out the AHL for short stints, though.)
  • Etienne Morin (21) is entering the second year of his entry-level deal with $871,666 AAV. He bounced between the AHL and ECHL early in 2025-26, but he’s really found his stride in the back half of the season. Like Parekh, he’s shown puck-moving brilliance. But like Parekh, he probably needs a summer of training to be able to physically battle more effectively for pucks.
  • Finally, Axel Hurtig (20) just signed his entry-level deal with a $990,000 AAV. (His AAV is higher than everyone else on entry-level deals because rookie minimums and maximums were boosted in the new CBA.) He’s destined for the AHL for 2026-27, we imagine.

On expiring deals

Five currently-contracted defenders are on expiring contracts on July 1.
Minor-leaguers Gavin White (23) and Artem Grushnikov (23) are eligible to become restricted free agents this summer as their entry-level deals expire. Both are more AHL depth options than future NHLers at this point, with Grushnikov being an occasional healthy scratch for the Wranglers from time to time.
Nick Cicek (25) is slated to become a Group 6 unrestricted free agent, but he’s been really effective and unless he’s going someplace he’ll have a clearer path to the NHL, perhaps the Flames try to retain him. Meanwhile, Jake Bean (27) and Daniil Miromanov (28) will be traditional UFAs. Given the amount of younger options pushing in the system, we wouldn’t expect to see Bean or Miromanov back.

Don’t forget about…

College prospect Abram Wiebe, acquired from Vegas in the Rasmus Andersson deal, is finishing up school this year – he’s on an accelerated path, per Sportsnet’s Pat Steinberg, and we imagine he did college classes after high school but before arriving at North Dakota  – so the Flames have until June 1 or 30 days after he finishes college to sign him or he becomes a UFA.
Swedish prospect Jakob Leander likely sticks around his homeland for another year. College standout Henry Mews is headed back to Michigan after knee surgery early this season. We suspect Eric Jamieson may go back to Denver for a sopohmore season after impressing as a freshman, but we’ll see what happens after the Frozen Four. Mace’o Phillips is headed to the University of Minnesota after spending this season in the USHL with the Green Bay Gamblers.
Which veteran Flames blueliner do you like the most? Which youngsters do you want to see more of? Let us know in the comments!

PRESENTED BY VIVID SEATS

Take $20 off your first Vivid Seats order of $200+ using promo code FLAMESNATION (new customers only, $200 USD minimum before taxes & fees)

Editorials

Breaking News