Calgary Flames' offseason has not gone the way management planned: report

The Calgary Flames have had a quiet offseason to date, though that hasn’t been an intentional move from management.

The lack of moves seemingly made sense, given that the Flames are in what most are viewing as a retooling stage. By not making any big free-agent signings or significant trades, younger players will have the opportunity to compete for roster spots in training camp. While that mindset would line up with the direction of the organization, it doesn’t appear to have been their plan.

As per Elliotte Friedman on his latest 32 Thoughts podcast, the Flames have attempted to make far more, and far bigger moves than many realize.

“I think the Flames have low-key taken some bigger swings than we fully realize, especially on defence,” Friedman said. “I heard they thought about some things that were bigger than we realized.

“This was supposed to be a big summer for the Flames. Before the cap jumped, they were one of the few teams with room. I think they were really hoping to take advantage of that. But now more people had room, and it made it harder to take advantage of. I think [Craig] Conroy was sneakily trying some bigger things that didn’t come to fruition.”

As a result of being very quiet to begin free agency, the Flames do still boast over $15 million in cap space. Whether they look to try and find ways to use up that space remains to be seen, but based on Friedman’s comments, it’s clear that keeping that cap space was never the intent of Conroy and his management staff.

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