7 Calgary Flames players who are pending unrestricted free agents

Once Connor Zary’s contract is signed and complete, Calgary Flames management may shift its focus towards other potential extensions.

One extension they got out of the way early was with Martin Pospisil, who, despite already being under contract for the 2025-26 season, agreed to a three-year, $7.5-million extension earlier this summer.

While management may be more patient with others in waiting to see how the upcoming season plays out, GM Craig Conroy will have some more decisions to make going forward, as there are seven players on the Flames roster whose deals are set to wrap up after the 2025-26 campaign. Here’s a look at all seven.

Rasmus Andersson

• Current cap hit: $4.55 million

Unless you’ve been living in a cave all offseason, you’re well aware of the fact that Rasmus Andersson is entering the final season of his six-year contract. Barring a major surprise, the 28-year-old will be traded at or before the 2026 trade deadline.

The 2024-25 season was an ugly one for Andersson, who had one of the NHL’s worst plus/minus rankings at -38. Flames management is hoping to see him bounce back to further increase his trade value.

Mikael Backlund

• Current cap hit: $4.5 million

Despite being 36 years old and having yet to win a Stanley Cup in his career, it sounds as though Mikael Backlund wishes to remain a Flame past this season. In fact, he wants to remain with the organization for several years to come.

The Flames captain recently told Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman that his goal is to suit up in the Flames’ new arena, Scotia Place, which will serve as their new home beginning in 2027-28. A new extension figures to see him earn less money, though he is still proving to be an effective player, having put up 15 goals and 32 points this past season.

Ryan Lomberg

• Current cap hit: $2 million

After winning a Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers in 2024, Ryan Lomberg chose to return to the Flames on a two-year deal last offseason. That said, he wasn’t very well known by Flames fans, as he’d logged just 11 NHL games with the organization in his first stint.

Though he was essentially a new face to Calgary fans, it didn’t take him much time at all to become a fan favourite. He doesn’t provide much in terms of offence, but is willing to drop the gloves with anybody and brings a ton of energy to the lineup. An extension isn’t out of the question, though management may prefer to replace him with younger talent in 2026-27.

Justin Kirkland

• Current cap hit: $900,000

Despite being limited to just 21 games last season, Justin Kirkland’s impressive play in that short span was enough for the Flames to reward him with a one-year extension. Whether another extension will be handed his way will be fully dependent on how he performs this coming season.

Kirkland quickly became a big story for the Flames last season as he was morphing into an everyday NHLer for the first time in his career. The 29-year-old has just 30 games under his belt, but should log plenty more this coming season if he performs like he did in 2024-25.

Jake Bean

• Current cap hit: $1.75 million

Jake Bean’s first season as a Flame in 2024-25 went about as expected. He was serviceable in a third-pairing role, averaging just over 15 minutes of ice time throughout the 64 games he was in the lineup.

Bean’s signing during the 2024 offseason was viewed as somewhat of a placeholder move while other Flames blueline prospects continued to develop in their respective leagues. With several of those players now being much closer to NHL-ready, it’s hard to see an extension coming his way.

Daniil Miromanov

• Current cap hit: $1.25 million

Flames management hoped they had found a diamond in the rough when they acquired Daniil Miromanov as part of a package from the Vegas Golden Knights in the Noah Hanifin trade. Instead, it’s become quite clear as to why he’d spent the majority of his Golden Knights tenure in the AHL.

Miromanov’s first full season as a Flame was quite disappointing, as he struggled at both ends of the ice and was limited to just 44 games. He’ll need to show well in training camp to crack the Flames roster this coming season.

Ivan Prosvetov

• Current cap hit: $950,000

After seeing Dan Vladar sign with the Philadelphia Flyers this offseason, the Flames acted swiftly and signed Russian goaltender Ivan Prosvetov to a one-year contract. The 26-year-old spent the 2024-25 season in the KHL, where he put up a 2.32 GAA along with a .920 SV% in 38 games with CSKA Moscow.

Prosvetov will be competing against Devin Cooley for the backup role this coming season, though his one-way contract suggests he has the upper hand. He’s logged 24 NHL games to date in stints with the Arizona Coyotes and Colorado Avalanche.

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