The Calgary Flames have two 1st round picks and four 2nd round picks heading into this year’s Draft.
Calgary could use some of these picks to trade for younger players. The first-round picks are all but unmovable, but the second-round picks could be moved.
Let’s look at who’s available.
Simon Nemec
There’s been talk in New Jersey lately that the 2022 2nd overall pick, Simon Nemec, may be unhappy. News broke that he reportedly asked for a trade, but Nemec cleared the air himself and denied this.
As the old saying goes, however, where there’s smoke, there’s fire.
Nemec entered the league with huge expectations. But, thus far has failed to live up to the hype of a second overall pick. Nemec has a lot of upside. He can be the QB1 on the power play and is smart with the puck.
Another right-shot defenceman isn’t the Flames’ biggest need right now; it’s probably their lowest need besides goaltending.
With Zayne Parekh and Hunter Brzustewicz currently occupying the Flames’ right side, it would have to be a solid deal to bring in Nemec. New Jersey wouldn’t be selling low either. The asking price would likely be a 1st-round pick and a prospect or a player.
Overall, Nemec is the least likely guy on this list to wear a Flames jersey.
Mason McTavish
Mason McTavish signed a 6-year, $42M contract with the Ducks going into the 25–26 season.
McTavish was drafted 3rd overall back in 2021 and has been one of the mainstays of this young Anaheim group.
It seems like McTavish may be lost in the shuffle in Orange County. Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier (who’s naturally a centre) and Mikael Granlund are capable of holding down the dot in the Ducks’ top-six.
It seems like his future in Anaheim could be in jeopardy. McTavish was healthy scratched numerous times in 25–26. He spent a lot of time lower in the lineup for Anaheim last season, posting 41 points and being a -15. With Roger McQueen also in the pipeline, it wouldn’t be crazy to see McTavish moved out of Anaheim for win-now type pieces.
If the Flames were to trade for McTavish, don’t expect a draft pick-heavy package going back the other way.
Blake Coleman, Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost could be part of a package going back the other way in a McTavish to Calgary trade. Morgan Frost is due for a new contract next year. If he doesn’t re-sign, Craig Conroy could look to move on this summer. Blake Coleman’s time in Calgary is already numbered, and he would be a great fit for a Ducks team looking to compete.
McTavish fills a need for the Flames, a big physical centre. Despite being a left shot, a player like McTavish would be a welcome change.
Matthew Poitras
Up next is Matt Poitras, a 2nd round pick of the Boston Bruins back in 2022.
Poitras is a 22-year-old right-shot centre who already fills a huge hole in the Flames system. Having spent most of his career thus far with the AHL’s Providence Bruins, he’s posted 27 points in 69 NHL games with Boston. It doesn’t seem like Poitras has been given a fair shake in Bean-town, though. Calgary could cash in on that, with Poitras being an RFA this summer.
Poitras would be a solid “buying low” option. The price tag for him via trade would likely be, at the highest, a second-round pick.
If Poitras isn’t given a qualifying offer, Calgary could offer sheet him. The Flames could give up somewhere in the ballpark of a third-round pick should Boston choose not to match.
With Mikael Backlund getting up there in age and slowing down, having him play 4th line centre wouldn’t be crazy.
That would leave an exciting open position for a 2nd or 3rd line centre.
Kevin Korchinski
If any of the rumblings are to be believed over in The Windy City, Kevin Korchinski could be on the move.
Korchinski was drafted 7th overall by the Blackhawks back in 2022. Reports have claimed Kyle Davidson and company may try to “dangle” him in trade offers this summer. Korchinski has bounced around the NHL and AHL with the Rockford IceHogs. A change of scenery could give him more time at the national level.
The Hawks are reportedly looking to add a veteran defenceman to the fold, and Calgary’s left defensive side could use a young talent like Korchinski. If veterans are what Chicago is after, Olli Maatta could be a possible suitor. Maatta was part of the MacKenzie Weegar trade back in March, and he really took fans and the organization by surprise with his strong play. Maatta’s trade stock is the highest it’s been in quite a while. Calgary could really utilize that by including him in a package for Korchinski.
It’s a win-win for both teams. Chicago gets a responsible stay-at-home defender, and the Flames get a young puck-moving defender in Kevin Korchinski.
This is definitely something to explore if you’re Craig Conroy.
Shane Wright
The Seattle Kraken don’t have any intentions of a rebuild, and they’re open for business to bring in more veteran talent.
Despite missing the playoffs the last two seasons, the Kraken organization are hell-bent on making the playoffs.
It’s been reported that Shane Wright could be leaving Seattle via trade this summer, and Calgary could be one of the top suitors to nab him.
Despite being the consensus 1st overall pick back in the 2022 draft, Wright fell to 4th overall. Wright had 44 points, including 19 goals in 24–25, but had a down year in 25–26, posting 12 goals and 27 points. He has been buried on the 3rd line as the Kraken insist on playing Chandler Stephenson ahead of him. Wright’s biggest flaw is his weak face-off percentage, which is also something the Flames have struggled with as well.
An interesting candidate to be included in a trade for Wright would be Morgan Frost.
Frost is starting to come into his own in Calgary. Should he not sign an extension with the Flames this summer, he could be a top candidate to be shipped out. The Kraken and Frost would pair together nicely, with Frost being able to win draws and improve the team’s percentages in the dot and be a force in their top 6.
Wright would get a fresh start in Calgary and would see top-six minutes consistently.
Nobody.
The Flames very well could stand during this offseason and make zero moves.
With guys like Ethan Wyttenbach, Sam Honzek, Cole Reschny and Rory Kerins fighting for a roster spot, bringing in nobody wouldn’t be a big deal.
Craig Conroy doesn’t just make trades to make trades; every move he makes is deeply researched, thought on and calculated before he pulls the trigger. Unless he’s really high on someone on this list or someone not on it, such as Mavrik Bourque, Kent Johnson, or Mason Lohrei, he’s not in a rush.
Whether the Flames shake things up or stand firm when it comes to their roster, there’s no reason to panic.
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