There are four Calgary Flames players who must clear waivers for the first time in 2026–27 if the club wishes to assign them to the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers. Let’s go over these players.
Michael Benning
Michael Benning is a 24-year-old right-shot defenceman who signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Flames in July 2026. In 2025–26, Benning logged 18 NHL games for the Florida Panthers. However, he likely would have spent the entire year in the minors if not for a late-season injury crisis that completely decimated the Panthers’ blue line. The Flames’ back end is already quite crowded; it is almost guaranteed that they will place Benning on waivers. Additionally, it is highly likely that Benning will clear waivers once placed on the wire. I don’t think any team is going to be willing to burn an NHL roster spot on an undersized defenceman who has very little NHL experience.
Simon Nemec
There is zero chance that Simon Nemec will be placed on waivers. The club considers the 2022 second-overall pick a core piece of Calgary’s defensive corps, despite not having played a single game yet.
Brennan Othmann
After being acquired from the New York Rangers last season, Brennan Othmann had a productive cameo in the NHL. He scored two points in two games. Othmann is currently one of four unsigned RFAs across the NHL. If the Flames sign him and then place him on waivers, another team could claim him. As a former first-round pick, Othmann still possesses some upside. Teams looking for cheap, young offensive depth might be willing to take a flyer on him. Additionally, Craig Conroy might be hesitant to waive Othmann since he had to part ways with Jacob Battaglia to acquire him.
William Stromgren
The Flames drafted William Stromgren in the second round of the 2021 NHL Draft. 2026–27 will be his fourth season playing on North American ice. In 2025–26, Stromgren appeared in three NHL games for the Flames. However, he didn’t record a single point in those games, and he had a -1 rating. I think that there is a good chance that Stromgren gets placed on waivers. His AHL production failed to take a step forward last season. Since Stromgren wasn’t drafted very high, nor does he have an extensive NHL resume, he is highly likely to clear waivers and head to the Wranglers.
