Predicting which Calgary Flames UFAs will return next season

Between now and the offseason, the Calgary Flames will make some interesting decisions about several players.

On top of the four pending RFAs on their roster, they have eight pending UFAs who they will need to make decisions on. They have more than enough cap space to bring everybody back but are also loaded with prospects who may be ready to make the full-time shift to NHL duty in 2025-26.

Here’s a look at all the Flames’ pending UFAs and a prediction of their future.

Forwards

Andrei Kuzmenko

• 2024-25 stats: 28 GP, 1 G, 8 A, 9 PTS

Andrei Kuzmenko has been the Flames’ biggest disappointment this season. The 28-year-old was shot out of a cannon after being acquired in a trade last February, scoring 14 goals and 25 points in 29 games to close out the 2023-23 season. The same type of production was expected in 2024-25, but he hasn’t come close to replicating it.

Kuzmenko’s struggles resulted in him sitting as a healthy scratch for two games earlier this month. The best thing Flames fans can hope for is that he can increase his production enough in the new year to help generate any trade interest by the March 5 trade deadline.

Verdict: Not returning

Anthony Mantha

• 2024-25 stats: 13 GP, 4 G, 3 A, 7 PTS

Anthony Mantha’s first season as a Flame lasted just 13 games, as he suffered an ACL injury which required surgery. He was relatively productive in the short stint, scoring four goals and seven points.

Mantha has been a rather underwhelming NHL player. However, he is still a relatively solid secondary scorer. That said, the Flames have some wingers in the AHL who should be ready to make the jump and take over his spot in 2025-26.

Verdict: Not returning

Kevin Rooney

• 2024-25 stats: 25 GP, 3 G, 1 A, 4 PTS

Despite catching quite a bit of flak from Flames fans, Kevin Rooney has done his job when called upon since joining the organization ahead of the 2022-23 season. He won’t give you much offensively, but he is a dependable penalty killer.

Rooney’s issue is that his face-off numbers aren’t what you would expect from a fourth-line centre. He’s been below 50% in his three seasons and is at just 42.4% so far in 2024-25.

Verdict: Not returning

Walker Duehr

• 2024-25 stats: 8 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PT

An afterthought coming into the 2024-25 season, Walker Duehr was able to score 11 goals and 19 points in 20 games with the Calgary Wranglers, earning a promotion to the Flames roster earlier this month. He’s been a perfectly adequate fourth-line option since his recall.

Duehr’s issue is that, while he is a fine fill-in player, the player we see from him now is likely the best he will ever offer. At 27 years old, there isn’t a ton of room left for growth, making him a replaceable option.

Verdict: Not returning

Justin Kirkland

• 2024-25 stats: 21 GP, 2 G, 6 A, 8 PTS

Justin Kirkland was one of the best stories going in the NHL before suffering a season-ending ACL injury. The 28-year-old was quickly starting to carve out a full-time role with the Flames prior to going down.

Kirkland was chipping in with some secondary scoring while in the lineup and proved a major asset in the shootout. He also logged some valuable minutes on the penalty kill. Given the Flames’ limited options at the centre ice position, giving him a cheap, one-year deal would make sense.

Verdict: Returns on a cheap deal

Defencemen

Tyson Barrie

• 2024-25 stats: 9 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 2 PTS

The Flames chose to bring Tyson Barrie to camp on a PTO and were impressed enough by his game to sign him to a one-year deal. Like his time with the Nashville Predators, he’s struggled to get into the lineup, suiting up for just nine of the Flames’ 33 games.

Barrie still has the offensive abilities to run a power play, but his defensive struggles have made him a tough player for head coach Ryan Huska to trust. It looks as though the end of the road could be nearing what has been a very good NHL career.

Verdict: Not returning

Joel Hanley

• 2024-25 stats: 9 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PTS

Like Barrie, Joel Hanley is another defenceman who has struggled to get into the lineup this season. That said, he’s suited up in three straight, logging north of 18 minutes in two of those contests.

Hanley has worked hard to grind out a 202-game career thus far and is a fine depth piece on the back end. However, because of the many prospects the Flames have on the back end, it’s almost impossible to envision a return.

Verdict: Not returning

Goalies

Dan Vladar

• 2024-25 stats: 17 GP, 3.06 GAA, .886 SV%

If the Flames can move Dan Vladar at the trade deadline for a third-round pick or better, they’ll take it. They already have insurance in Devin Cooley, who is producing otherworldly stats in the AHL.

However, whether a team is willing to pay any price for Vladar remains to be seen. With a save percentage of .892% through 92 career games, he may not garner much interest. If not, bringing him back on a one or two-year deal and having him and Cooley battle it out for backup duty next season is a strong possibility.

Verdict: Returns on a cheap deal

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