Folks, it’s the end of July, and there isn’t much going on in the hockey world.

For most people, that’s just fine — go outside, get some fresh air! — but if you’re reading this, you’re probably already counting down the days until the puck officially drops to kick off the 2024-25 season. Hey, same here.

The Calgary Flames have had a relatively low-key off-season to date, save for the bizarrely unresolved Oliver Kylington saga. Since signing a handful of bargain-bin contracts on July 1, they’ve been pretty quiet, and understandably so.

It wouldn’t be too surprising to see the Flames make a trade or two before training camp begins in September, but most of their remaining business figures to be internal. Most of their pieces for the immediate future are already in place; now, it’s only a matter of getting them all signed.

Late last month, the Flames tendered qualifying offers to seven of their pending restricted free agents: Jakob Pelletier, Adam Klapka, Cole Schwindt, Ilya Solovyov, Yan Kuznetsov, Nikita Okhotiuk, and Dustin Wolf. All seven of them skated in NHL games with the Flames during the 2023-24 season, and one of them has already re-signed: Wolf agreed to terms on a new two-year deal with the Flames on Tuesday.

Additionally, the 23-year-old Okhotiuk has reportedly already come to terms on a two-year contract with the KHL club CSKA Moscow, although the Flames will retain his exclusive NHL signing rights until he turns 27. If Okhotiuk improves dramatically during his forthcoming KHL stint, the Flames will be able to bring him back to North America (or trade his rights).

The Flames’ other five RFAs all appear to be keen on remaining in the organization for the 2024-25 season. None of them are star players, but they all have upside and could factor into the Flames’ lineup once again this year.

Flames fans are likely most familiar with Pelletier, who is coming off a year to forget in practically every sense. What looked to be a season full of opportunities for the Quebec City product quickly turned for the worse after Pelletier suffered a severe shoulder injury during a meaningless pre-season game against the Seattle Kraken back in September 2023. Although he finally returned to action in late January, Pelletier took quite a while to find his footing and never quite reached the same heights as he did in 2022-23, scoring one goal and three points in 13 games with the Flames.

Put plainly, 2024-25 will be a make-or-break year for Pelletier, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him settle for a one-year, “show me” contract for the coming season. The same applies to Schwindt, who has yet to take a significant step forward as a pro after an impressive AHL rookie year in 2021-22. The 6’2″ forward has hovered around the 0.5 points-per-game threshold in his two seasons with the Wranglers and has appeared in just seven career NHL games, including four with Calgary.

Pelletier and Schwindt play very different games — Pelletier is a 5’9″ energy ball, Schwindt is bigger and a bit more static — but both are 23 years old and NHL-ready. So, too, is Klapka, who towers over practically everyone else in the Calgary organization with his 6’8″, 235-pound frame. Being a bit more of a project-type player, Klapka doesn’t have quite as much riding on the 2024-25 season as some of the Flames’ other up-and-comers, but he still stands a decent chance of making the NHL roster out of training camp.

Then, there’s Kuznetsov, who, having only turned 22 in March, is the youngest remaining RFA in the Flames’ stable. The 2020 second-round pick has quietly become the second-longest-tenured player on the Flames’ farm team — he first joined the Stockton Heat in 2020-21, one year after Alex Gallant did — and even appeared in his first NHL game this past season. But with Artem Grushnikov and Joni Jurmo now in the fold, it’s valid to question whether Kuznetsov might soon fall victim to the numbers game. He likely has the weakest negotiating position of the five RFAs, which could actually serve to expedite his signing.

But while Kuznetsov has struggled at times to differentiate himself from the pack with the Wranglers, the same cannot be said for Solovyov, who has been the model of consistency over his three North American professional seasons to date. The Belarusian defender became the first player in Flames history to wear No. 98 in his first 10 NHL games in 2023-24 and looked every bit like a future regular, collecting three assists while averaging 15:54 of ice time. Having turned 20 earlier this month, Solovyov is the Flames’ oldest RFA.

A few of these players will appear in our 2024 ranking of the Flames’ Top 20 prospects, which will kick off here at FlamesNation in the first week of August. None of them are likely to exceed six figures per year on their next deals — after all, Wolf only got $850,000 — but there’s a chance Pelletier and Solovyov, for instance, could garner full or partial one-way contracts. Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that Pelletier, Schwindt, and Solovyov will all require waivers to be sent to the AHL in 2024-25.

It’s time to show some love for one of the jewels of Alberta and the world – Jasper. Over the years, Jasper has given us unforgettable experiences and memories. Now, it’s our turn to give back during this tough time. Oilersnation, Flamesnation, and The Nation Network are stepping up to help by collecting cash donations and selling special “To Jasper, with Love” T-Shirts. All net proceeds go directly to support the amazing community of Jasper.We’re partnering with local organizations to ensure the support goes where it’s needed most. To everyone in Jasper and all those affected, our thoughts are with you. We love you, and we’re here for you. Head over to nationgear.ca or click the link in our bio to purchase your T-Shirt or make a donation. Together, we can help all those affected.