After a season that surpassed expectations yet still ended without a playoff berth, the Calgary Flames are setting their sights on further improvement in the upcoming season.
General Manager Craig Conroy remains firm on not deviating from the team`s overarching strategy, which means much of the off-season focus will be on managing the current roster. Significant decisions are looming regarding several players nearing free agency. Furthermore, trade discussions are likely to center around a prominent defenseman.
This edition of our Flames Mailbag delves into these key topics.
Rasmus Andersson`s Future
It`s impossible to conduct an off-season mailbag without addressing the situation surrounding Rasmus Andersson in Calgary.
As he enters the final year of his contract, following a season marked by frustrating inconsistency, Andersson`s status over the next year is uncertain at best.
Andersson is well aware that both he and the organization face a major decision potentially as early as this summer. As previously reported by Eric Francis, Andersson spoke candidly about his future on the final day of the season, admitting he truly doesn`t know what lies ahead.
Turning 29 in October, Andersson is just over a year away from becoming an unrestricted free agent for the first time. Understandably, he and his representatives will be seeking a lucrative long-term extension. Recent contracts signed by other players offer a potential salary range for negotiations.
On the higher end is Washington`s Jakob Chychrun, who signed an eight-year deal in March with a $9 million annual cap hit. Towards the lower end is Winnipeg`s Neal Pionk, whose recent six-year deal carries a $7 million average annual value. Naturally, the player`s preference will align with the higher figure, while the team will favour the lower.
“He told me he wants to be here,” Conroy shared on Flames Talk during locker clean-out day.
“Rasmus understands it`s a business. Same thing for me. Everybody has an idea what they`re worth and how long they want and then the team has a different opinion usually. So, we`ll have to see if it works out for both sides.”
Despite this, there`s no certainty that a resolution will be reached before the NHL Draft in late June.
One certainty is that Conroy will not hesitate to trade Andersson if a contract agreement cannot be reached. However, if that decision is postponed until sometime during the next season, Andersson`s trade value is expected to remain high, given his manageable $4.55 million cap hit.
Ultimately, making the correct decision is paramount, regardless of the timeline. If a trade is the outcome, the priority will be securing the most advantageous return possible.
Matt Coronato`s Contract
Following a 24-goal performance in his first full NHL season, pending restricted free agent Matt Coronato is a high priority for Calgary this summer.
It`s my belief that the Flames are open to signing Coronato to a seven or eight-year deal this summer if the financial terms are agreeable. A potential complication when comparing his situation to recent similar contracts, like those signed by Seattle`s Beniers ($7.14M AAV), Ottawa`s Cozens ($7.1M), and Utah`s Guenther ($7.14M), is that those players had accumulated multiple full seasons before signing their long-term extensions.
Coronato only has one full season under his belt, which might result in a lower price point. Would a cap hit in the mid-to-high six million dollar range, still totaling around $50 million over the life of the deal, be sufficient to persuade Coronato`s representatives to forgo a shorter two or three-year “bridge” contract where he could potentially increase his value?
If his camp is amenable to a long-term deal now, we could well see an extension announced in the coming months.
Dan Vladar`s Goaltending Partner?
The answer to this question largely depends on Dan Vladar`s personal preference.
Vladar, who finished the season strong with a 6-1-1 record and a .927 save percentage, is a pending unrestricted free agent facing a choice. Does he wish to stay with the Flames, where he is comfortable but positioned as the backup to Dustin Wolf? Or will he prioritize finding a role elsewhere that offers more potential playing time?
My assessment is that Calgary would prefer to retain Vladar on a contract similar to his previous one signed in October 2022 (two years, $2.2 million AAV). If a slightly higher cap hit is required to keep him, the Flames currently have ample salary cap space.
“We would love to have Dan back,” Conroy stated on Flames Talk. “We`ve seen him over the years. He…gives us a chance to win every night, and that`s all you can ask for. He`s a great person, and he`s great in the room.”
“Vlad is a true pro, you know. So, we`ll see where it goes.”
One factor working in Calgary`s favor is the limited number of open goaltending positions available across the league this summer, which is a notable change from the typical annual movement of goalies.
Considering this lack of opportunity elsewhere, combined with Vladar`s own statement on locker clean-out day that he would like to return, it would be surprising if he isn`t partnering with Wolf again next season.
Connor Zary`s Development
Let`s focus on one player mentioned in Devon`s question: pending RFA Connor Zary.
After a promising debut season, Zary`s most recent campaign was hampered by challenges, including two separate knee injuries. In total, Zary played 54 games, recording 13 goals and 27 points. This production didn`t represent the step forward that either he or the Flames had hoped for in his sophomore NHL year.
“I know I have so much to offer,” Zary said on locker clean-out day.
“I think I could have produced more, but at the end of the day, I think if I play even 70 games out of the 80, I think I`m a 20-goal guy, I`m a 50-point guy. I think it`s disappointing not to reach those goals I had set for myself.”
Zary`s season was heavily impacted by his injuries, and he has faced a few different ailments since first joining the NHL in November 2023. Due to these interruptions, it remains difficult to form a definitive long-term evaluation of Zary`s true potential. For these reasons, a shorter “bridge” deal is the most likely outcome for his next contract.
