The offseason has begun for the Calgary Flames, and the focus now shifts to what needs to happen prior to the start of the 2025–26 season. Craig Conroy’s squad outperformed expectations this season and put themselves in a position to compete for a playoff spot till the bitter end.
This performance has, however, made the decisions Craig Conroy makes this offseason all the more important. Pending free agents continue to loom over the organization’s head, while a lack of scoring and locking up budding young stars all need to be addressed. That got us thinking, what do fans think should be the Flames’ number one priority this offseason? We asked, you answered.
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What should the Flames’ number one priority be this offseason?
We presented the below poll to our readers:
Sign/Trade Andersson
Roughly a quarter of fans think Craig Conroy should prioritize Rasmus Andersson. The former 2015 second-round pick’s contract will expire at the end of next season. Despite Andersson’s contract discussions grabbing media attention throughout the season, the coverage was a sliver in comparison to the two prior years. Contract discussions of any kind have been overwhelmingly negative for fans in Calgary since losing to the Edmonton Oilers in the second round of the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs.
Headed into the final year of Andersson’s contract, the Flames need to make a decision, and it’s looking more and more grim. Recently, it’s come to light that Rasmus’ camp could be looking for a contract comparable to Jacob Chychrun’s with the Washington Capitals, which rolled in at eight years, $9M average annual value. The Flames, however, seem to be looking closer to six years, $7M AAV.
Either option would be a pay raise for Andersson, who’s predominantly regressed over the last two seasons. But the former is certainly not a team-friendly deal in any way, shape, or form. It seems like Flames fans are ready to move on from Andersson, and it appears he’s ready as well after his final press conference of the season.
It’s time for the Flames to make a move and get the Andersson situation dealt with before it becomes a risk to the cherished culture that was developed this past season. Looming contract talks are distracting in the room, and another season of regression would diminish the Flames’ potential trade return handily.
Adding scoring
Scoring has been a glaring issue in Calgary for three years. Roughly a fifth of fans think the Flames’ number one priority should be addressing the gaps in the offence this offseason. The Flames scored the fourth-fewest goals in the league last season with 2.68 goals/game.
Despite the rise of Matt Coronato and Nazem Kadri’s late-season streak, the Flames really lacked many offensive bright spots this past season, either. It’s time for Craig Conroy to address the forward group, and that could come in a number of ways. The Flames could look to acquire a young centre through an Andersson trade, the unrestricted free agent market, or offer sheet a restricted free agent like Mavrik Bourque of the Dallas Stars. Plus, don’t forget the Flames hold two first-round draft picks, and Craig Conroy’s staff had one of the best draft classes across the league last season.
Whichever avenue it is, the Flames need scoring help desperately. Keep an eye out for forward acquisitions this offseason.
Extending Coronato
As far as forwards are concerned, the Flames did get some relief in Matt Coronato. Just under 10% of fans think the Flames should prioritize Coronato first this offseason. The 22-year-old had a breakout sophomore season, scoring 24 goals and 47 points in 77 games. It was apparent this season that Coronato has developed into more than an everyday NHLer.
As an RFA this offseason, the Flames need to find a number and get Coronato extended. After the St. Louis Blues delivered a gut punch to the Edmonton Oilers last year by offer sheeting both Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg, more teams could look to take advantage of the system this offseason. Although it could be a short-term overpay, the Flames could lock up Coronato for six to eight years in the $5-$6M AAV range. At this point, it looks as though Coronato will continue to improve as he gains more minutes in the top six and settles into the Flames’ power play with Zayne Parekh next season.
Wolf long-term contract
The man of the year in Calgary, none other than Dustin Wolf, takes home another SC poll, receiving roughly half of the fan vote this week. Wolf’s rookie season arguably couldn’t have gone better. The 24-year-old started 53 games, posting a 29–16–8 record while recording a franchise rookie record with three shutouts.
We could dive into the advanced statistics or the impact he had on the team this past season, but at this point, if you’ve even heard a whisper about the Calgary Flames this season, you know about Dustin Wolf. He’s a franchise player and there’s no doubt about it. The Flames have found their goalie of the future, and they should be getting ready to hand over a handsome contract offer.
In many ways, a vast majority of the success on the ice for the Flames this season was because of Dustin Wolf. If this Flames team could seal 96 points in the standings, imagine what even average scoring could do for the Flames. Wolf is signed until the end of 2025–26 after a two-year bridge deal was made between the Flames and Wolf last offseason for $850K AAV. There’s no doubt he deserves a pay raise, and if I were Craig Conroy, the only offers I would put on the table are for max term.
How the tables turn
In only one year, the Flames went from all eyes on a tank to some thinking it’s time to reload and aim for a playoff spot next season. Although it’s not that simple, there’s no question that Craig Conroy’s plan has been fast-tracked by a hot young goaltender and a revamped locker room culture.
The winning attitude and strong goaltending are both resounding positives, but it certainly complicates the decisions made this offseason. The Flames need to address the contracts of their young core while simultaneously adding scoring help. Maybe the most telling decision will be that of Rasmus Andersson and whether the Flames choose to move on from a pending free agent before the very last second.
It’s going to be a busy offseason in Calgary. Stay tuned, Flames fans.
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