The Calgary Flames turned to the business side of things after their big win over the Boston Bruins. One player on the roster unfortunately did not complete the game. No, it wasn’t due to injury, but rather it was Martin Pospisil getting a game misconduct after cross-checking Brad Marchand in the face in a post-whistle scrum.
After sitting out virtually the whole game on a questionable play anyway, it turns out that the NHL would leave it at that. No supplemental discipline would be dished out to the Slovak forward. Instead of being suspended, the Flames swooped in and gave him a contract extension instead.
The contract is a two-year deal with $1.0M a season, and he’ll still be a restricted free agent after 2025–26.
Pospisil’s development
Pospisil earning this extension is a major deal for him. As the Flames’ fourth-round pick in 2018, Pospisil developed as a gritty forward not afraid to get into the rough spots. However, he had some injury concerns that prevented him from taking the next step.
At the conclusion of his entry-level contract, he was given a one-year contract by Brad Treliving at $750K for 2022–23. This was less than his ELC, as his total salary while on that contract was $780K for the first two years and $830K for the final season.
Of course, Pospisil took the deal as the Flames still believed in him despite his development facing major setbacks.
After that one-year contract, he then signed once again on a single-year contract. He got a slight raise to $775K, but it looked like his chances of breaking into the NHL were growing increasingly slim.
2023–24 changed everything for Pospisil
Everything you just read above, that’s basically ancient history. The Flames did well on their promise to inject youth into the lineup, and Pospisil was a main beneficiary.
He’s been holding his own in the NHL lineup, slotting into 34 games (and counting). He’s put up a respectable four goals and seven assists and has a +10 rating. However, perhaps the bigger impact he has is away from the scoresheet. Pospisil’s presence has given Nazem Kadri a huge boost in play. It’s also been massive for Connor Zary‘s campaign too, who might even be in line for some Calder Trophy votes by season’s end.
Pospisil was always a promising player, but his injury history hampered his ability to make a prolonged impact. As he matured, he started to change how he played the game and actually prioritised his ability to play hockey instead of being a wreckless force. That change might have been career-defining as it kept him in the Flames organisation and also finally gave him a chance at being a full-time NHLer.
Now on a multi-year contract, it’s pretty clear that he’s earned every bit after his journey.
Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire
