6 Calgary Flames players who could be traded next season

Assuming the 2026-27 season plays out as expected, the Calgary Flames will be sellers once again heading into the trade deadline.

The Flames aren’t likely to sell as much as they did a season ago when they moved out Rasmus Andersson, MacKenzie Weegar, and Nazem Kadri, but they do still have some players worth monitoring as the season progresses.

Here’s a look at six players they could look to move at or ahead of next year’s trade deadline:

1. Morgan Frost

• Position: C
• Contract: $4.375 million (pending UFA)
• 2025-26 stats: 22 G, 21 A, 43 PTS

The Flames have a big decision to make with Morgan Frost. The 27-year-old is currently the most talented centreman they have in the organization, which would make trading him difficult.

The Flames do, however, have several enticing centre-ice prospects. That could be enough for them to be willing to move Frost, who, while talented, isn’t a typical first-line player. Should they get an enticing enough package, he could be wearing a different jersey at some point next season.

2. Connor Zary

• Position: LW/C
• Contract: $3.775 million through 2027-28
• 2025-26 stats: 74 GP, 12 G, 13 A, 25 PTS

There was some buzz surrounding Connor Zary earlier in the offseason after TSN’s Darren Dreger reported that the Flames were shopping him. A deal has yet to come to fruition, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s staying put.

After two straight disappointing seasons, Zary is going to need to prove to management that he can still be part of this team’s long-term plans. If he struggles out of the gate, it wouldn’t be surprising to hear his name resurface in trade speculation.

3. Ryan Strome

• Position: C
• Contract: $5 million (pending UFA)
• 2025-26 stats: 52 GP, 8 G, 13 A, 21 PTS

Ryan Strome seemed to be rejuvenated after being acquired by the Flames this past trade deadline, putting up a solid five goals and 12 points in 19 games. The best-case scenario is that he can maintain similar lines of production to begin the 2026-27 season.

Should Strome show that he can still contribute with some secondary scoring, there will be playoff-bound teams that show interest. He may not bring in the biggest haul, but he’s an extremely likely trade candidate this coming season.

4. Joel Hanley

• Position: D
• Contract: $1.75 million (pending UFA)
• 2025-26 stats: 68 GP, 0 G, 7 A, 7 PTS

Since being claimed off waivers by the Flames late in the 2023-24 season, Joel Hanley has proven he can be an everyday defenceman. The 35-year-old plays a simple, mistake-free game, which has made him an easy player for Ryan Huska and his staff to trust.

On a playoff contender, Hanley would likely be nothing more than a depth add, meaning Flames fans will need to temper expectations on a return. That said, something is better than nothing, and there will likely be a few teams who express interest.

5. Zach Whitecloud

• Position: D
• Contract: $2.75 million through 2027-28
• 2025-26 stats: 78 GP, 2 G, 15 A, 17 PTS

The Flames don’t seem all that keen on moving Zach Whitecloud given how well he fit in both on and off the ice after being acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights last season. That said, offers may roll in that they aren’t able to ignore.

Whitecloud quickly proved with the Flames that he’s capable of being a top-four defenceman, and he’s locked up through 2027-28 on a very team-friendly $2.75 million. Add in the fact that he’s a right shot, and you can see why so many other teams across the league would love to add him.

6. Maxim Tsyplakov

• Position: RW/LW
• Contract: $2.25 million (pending UFA)
• 2025-26 stats: 49 GP, 2 G, 2 A, 4 PTS

Before any possibility of being traded, Maxim Tsyplakov needs to crack the Flames’ opening night roster. The 27-year-old was nothing more than a throw-in by the New Jersey Devils in the Simon Nemec trade earlier this offseason.

Despite Tsyplakov’s struggles in 2025-26, however, he did prove to have some offensive skill in his rookie campaign in 2024-25, registering 35 points in 77 games. If he can somehow find a way to produce at a similar clip, the Flames may be able to flip him at the deadline.

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