Currently, the Flames are jam-packed with wingers. They are all under contract for next season, with the exception of A.J. Greer:
| Left Wingers | Right Wingers |
|---|---|
| Jonathan Huberdeau (10.5M x 7) | Andrei Kuzmenko (5.5M x 1) |
| Andrew Mangiapane (5.8M x 1) | Blake Coleman (4.9M x 3) |
| Connor Zary (863K x 1) | Yegor Sharangovich (3.1M x 1) |
| Dryden Hunt (775K x 1) | Martin Pospisil (1M x 2) |
| A.J. Greer (UFA) | Matthew Coronato (925K x 1) |
| Jakob Pelletier (RFA) | Walker Duehr (825K x 1) |
| Adam Klapka (RFA) |
The Flames have a log-jam of middle-six wingers
Sharangovich has played centre for the last few months. But I think we can all agree he is much better suited on the wing. Whatever the case, we will assume one of him or Zary will slot to centre next year, for now. That still leaves as many as twelve wingers vying for spots next year. There are far too many middle-six wingers penciled into the lineup next year. Competition is always good to have, but this is a major log-jam, and may prevent future opportunity for ‘on the cusp’ guys like Pelletier and Coronato in future seasons. The only player on an expiring deal is Greer, who I think the Flames should re-sign. He’s brought a nice element of physicality and grit to the team.
Guys like Hunt and Duehr are serviceable NHLers (I’ve liked Hunt for the most part this season), and are fine as depth guys. Pospisil is your ideal fourth line winger to pair with, say, Greer and Kevin Rooney, getting under the skin of the opponent and asserting their presence with physical play. However, Pospisil has featured higher in the lineup all season, so for now he’s a top nine guy. I think long-term he’s a perfect bottom-six guy, though.
That leaves Huberdeau, Mangiapane, Kuzmenko, Coleman, Pospisil, and one of Sharangovich/Zary fighting for those top-nine winger slots. That leaves the likes of Coronato and Pelletier to fight for fourth line duty, as we’ve seen in recent months. If you want to plug one of these two into a top nine role, you have to move someone else down.
I think it’s critical that the Flames move at least two middle-six wingers during the off-season and open up room for others. So, let’s look at who would be most likely to move, and who is likely staying put:
Wingers that aren’t going anywhere
Jonathan Huberdeau
As much as Huberdeau and the Flames would likely enjoy to move on from each other, it’s not possible. No other team is touching this contract if their life depended on it. We have seen some positives from Huberdeau since the new year (31 points in 39 games), but he’s on pace for fewer points than last year.
Prospects/Young players
The Flames aren’t planning on moving Zary, Coronato, Pospisil, or Pelletier anytime soon. Zary and Pospisil have been incredible stories this season, and all four of the above listed are under team control for several seasons. Weirder things have happened, but I don’t foresee any of these four being moved.
Wingers that could be moved
Andrew Mangiapane (UFA after 2024-25 season)
The last two seasons have not gone the way Mangiapane wanted. After a 35-goal, 55-point career season in 2021-22, Mangiapane has fallen to around 15 goals and 40 points this year and last. However, he is still a part of the incredibly effective line alongside Backlund and Coleman. He might not be worth the $5.8M he’s being paid in 2024-25, but he’s still an effective two-way winger. Mangiapane has an eight-team oo-trade list.
Andrei Kuzmenko (UFA after 2024-25 season)
It was rumoured that the Flames might have even looked to flip Kuzmenko at this past deadline. He possesses an elite skill set that is extremely successful in certain situations. He has had some eye-popping goals in recent weeks. I see a team like the Blackhawks as a perfect fit for Kuzmenko, if the Flames choose to move him. He could work as a triggerman next to Bedard and help their powerplay, while also helping the team get to the cap floor. Kuzmenko has a 12-team no-trade list, although he did waive to be traded to Calgary, so he may be open to doing so again.
Blake Coleman (signed through the 2026-27 season)
Starting on July 1st, Coleman’s full no-trade clause turns into a 10-team no-trade list. Coleman means a lot to the Flames locker room and has had a great 2023-24 season. He also has a young family and chose to sign in Calgary as an American player. That means something given the last several years. Coleman has set career highs in goals, assists, and points. At the same time, the Flames are presented with an opportunity to move a 32-year-old coming off a career high season, which doesn’t happen very often. A team like the Ottawa Senators are reportedly interested in adding a veteran player with experience and grit. That seems like a potential destination for Coleman, if the Flames decided to sell high.
Yegor Sharangovich (UFA after 2024-25 season)
With Mangiapane and Kuzmenko’s high cap hits and Coleman’s term, trade interest might not be there. One guy that would surely generate interest is Sharangovich, who has scored at a decent rate and has a more palatable cap hit. The Flames are far more likely to extend Sharangovich than deal him, but it might not be the best decision. Sharangovich is shooting at 17.8%, which is 3.6% higher than his career average of 14.2%.
For an interesting comparison, Kuzmenko shot 27.3% in 2022-23, where he potted 39 goals. In 2023-24, Kuzmenko is shooting 16.3% and only has 17 goals. The Canucks were very smart to go short term on his latest extension. Sharangovich is not shooting as crazy as Kuzmenko last year, but it is still a cautionary tale. Given Sharangovich’s poor underlying numbers, it might make sense to sell high. If they choose to keep him, I would heavily caution against signing him to a long-term extension.
A look ahead to 2024-25 if a few winger trades are made
Potential lines next season if two of these guys are moved:
Huberdeau – Zary – Kuzmenko
Pospisil – Kadri – Coronato
Pelletier – Backlund – Coleman
Greer/Hunt – Rooney – Klapka
Schwindt – Duehr
In this circumstance, I have the Flames trading Mangiapane and Sharangovich during the off-season. You could easily sub out either guy with Coleman or Kuzmenko. Without even adding someone via free agency/trade, you have spots available for Pelletier and Coronato to prove what they are, while still icing a solid forward group. You never want to gift players positions, but in this circumstance you are continuing to give opportunity to players. Not to mention the assets you’d get back for the wingers you do deal away.
Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire
