With the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals over, focus now shifts towards the offseason. The Calgary Flames aren’t expected to be too busy, but they’re still a notable team to watch when it comes to player movement.
With the Flames clearly taking the rebuild path, I thought we could look at some current players who could act as the Flames’ top trade chips this summer. It’s not a guarantee that every player on this list gets moved, but these players stick out to me as having the most trade value and making the most sense for the Flames to move. These players are listed in no particular order. Let us begin.
Blake Coleman
Blake Coleman immediately stands out as one of the biggest and most valuable trade assets for the Flames right now. Despite rumours of him potentially getting dealt at the trade deadline, he ended up staying put and finished the 2025-26 season scoring 20 goals and 35 points in 69 games.
There’s no doubt that any contender would love the chance to acquire Coleman’s services. He’s a great fit in a bottom-six role and is an absolute beast in the playoffs. If a team wants to add that extra grit and snarl while also adding scoring depth, Coleman is the guy.
It’s also pretty clear that Coleman no longer fits the Flames’ timeline and would be better off competing for another Stanley Cup. He makes around $4.9 million per season, and the Flames have the slots available to retain salary. They should get a decent return for him if they shop him during the summer.
Morgan Frost
Centers are always in need, and Morgan Frost fits the bill. He had a decent season, scoring 22 goals and 43 points, which is around the average amount of offence Frost has generated throughout his career. However, the main thing with Frost is that he’s a pending UFA come next summer. It’s unclear how much money his camp is seeking, but if it’s a substantial amount, the Flames would be better off trading him elsewhere.
Frost would be a great addition to a contending team’s middle-six, acting as their third-line centre. Being 27, he’s also not exactly young that he can be considered to be a part of the future Flames’ core. I’m sure if the team made Frost available, they’d receive a decent amount of calls given his position and the offence he can provide in a middle-six role.
Zach Whitecloud
Another player who had rumours circulating about them, Zach Whitecloud, was acquired by the Flames in the Rasmus Andersson trade. Since joining the Flames, he’s been a steady right-side defender, prompting teams to inquire about his availability. The Flames ultimately did not move him.
Whitecloud won’t become a UFA until 2028, so the Flames aren’t exactly in a rush to move him. Nonetheless, one trade offer can change everything. I also think that Whitecloud could become expendable in the near future if the Flames draft a right-handed defenceman with the sixth overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, a player like Keaton Verhoeff, for example, who could make the NHL jump quickly.
Olli Maatta
Acquired by the Flames via the MacKenzie Weegar trade, Olli Maatta made quite a name for himself in Calgary. The veteran defender instantly clicked for the team on the blueline, scoring 14 points in 21 games, playing some of the best hockey of his career.
Maatta is another name that could generate interest if made available, since teams are always looking for blueline depth. However, Maatta’s contract also doesn’t end until 2028, so the Flames could also elect to hold on to him a bit longer.
Ryan Strome
Another player who joined the Flames at the deadline, Ryan Strome, was acquired from the Anaheim Ducks for a 7th-round pick. His impact on the team, though, was noticeable, scoring 12 points in 19 games.
While Strome has been a good fit in Calgary so far, he likely ends up getting moved. The offseason could be a good time to move him, depending on the types of offers the Flames receive. Strome will be a pending UFA next summer, but his value will likely hinge on how he performs and if he can pick up where he left off.
Strome makes $5 million a season, so the Flames would likely have to retain some salary. With that being said, Strome is a serviceable veteran centre who can add to a contending team’s depth down the middle.
