Don’t look now, but the 2023-24 NHL season is nearing its end. As they all seem to do, this season has flown by, with the Calgary Flames having just 17 games remaining on its schedule. Through their first 65 games, they have a 31-29-5 record.
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The Flames are right about where most expected them to be, which is somewhat of a middling team. They are a fair way outside the playoff picture — 10 points out of the second Western Conference wild card spot — but are no where near the bottom of the league either. While their spot in the standings dictates they won’t get a high-end first-round pick in the upcoming draft, there is still plenty to be excited about when it comes to the future of this team.
One exciting area to consider is the amount of money general manager (GM) Craig Conroy will have to work with this summer. The cap is expected to increase, and with several of their highest paid players no longer on the books, the Flames GM will have some money to spend. Should he choose to do so via free agency, there are plenty of players around the league currently on expiring deals and set to become unrestricted free agents (UFAs.)
High-End Players
Steven Stamkos, C/LW, Tampa Bay Lightning | Sam Reinhart, RW, Florida Panthers | Jake Guentzel, LW/RW, Carolina Hurricanes | Jonathan Marchessault, LW/RW, Vegas Golden Knights | Vladimir Tarasenko, RW, Florida Panthers | Joe Pavelski, RW, Dallas Stars | Matt Duchene, RW/C, Dallas Stars | Patrick Kane, RW, Detroit Red Wings
While adding any of these players would be extremely exciting, none of them are likely to join the Flames. The organization has been careful to say that they are not in a rebuild, but based on their moves ahead of the trade deadline, it feels pretty close. It would make little sense to throw a lot of money at any of these players given how the next few seasons are projected to go, and quite frankly, it’s hard to envision any of them wanting to come to Calgary.
It’s not all doom and gloom, however, as there are several other solid players set to become free agents that could serve as potential fits.
Other Intriguing Pending UFAs
Adam Henrique, LW/C, Edmonton Oilers | Anthony Mantha, LW/RW, Vegas Golden Knights | Tyler Bertuzzi, LW/RW, Toronto Maple Leafs | Teuvo Teravainen, LW/RW, Carolina Hurricanes | Jason Zucker, LW/RW, Nashville Predators | Elias Lindholm,…
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