7 Calgary Flames set to become UFAs after 2025-26 season

It has not been the busiest of offseasons for the Calgary Flames.

Though they had hoped to do more in free agency, GM Craig Conroy didn’t have to worry about making decisions on too many players from his roster a season ago, as there were few on expiring contracts.

While a group of UFAs did walk, including Dan Vladar and Anthony Mantha, others stuck around, such as Joel Hanley and Justin Kirkland. After that, all that was left to do was lock up RFAs, which, aside from Connor Zary, Conroy has been able to get done.

Next year’s offseason could cause a few more headaches, as there are several players set to become UFAs, on whom Conroy will have to make decisions. Of course, should the Flames be out of the playoff picture by the trade deadline, the players could also be moved elsewhere. Nonetheless, here are the seven players on the Flames roster who are set to become UFAs after the 2025-26 season.

7. Ivan Prosvetov

• Current contract: One year, $900,000 cap hit

Once Vladar chose to depart the Flames via free agency, Conroy knew he had to find another goaltender and wound up going with Ivan Prosvetov. The 26-year-old spent the 2024-25 season in the KHL, posting a 2.32 GAA and a .920 SV% in 38 games with CSKA Moscow.

Whether Prosvetov remains in Calgary past this coming season remains to be seen. First off, he has to ensure he cracks the roster over another candidate vying for the backup role, Devin Cooley. Should he do that, he’ll need to ensure he provides steady goaltending whenever called upon in relief of Dustin Wolf to be offered an extension.

6. Daniil Miromanov

• Current contract: Two years, $1.25-million cap hit

Though there was some hype when Daniil Miromanov was acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights late in the 2023-24 season, it’s all gone to the wayside by this point. The 28-year-old struggled to get into the lineup in 2024-25 and was discussed as a potential trade candidate going into the deadline.

Miromanov simply didn’t look like an NHL defenceman last season, and barring a complete turnaround, won’t be brought back by the Flames. Perhaps the best Flames fans can hope for is that a team out there is willing to give up a late draft pick to take a flier on him.

5. Jake Bean

• Current contract: Two years, $1.75-million cap hit

Jake Bean didn’t struggle nearly to the same level as Miromanov last season, though he was also far from great. Despite playing on a fairly mediocre blue line, he was healthy scratched on numerous occasions and averaged just 15:05 of ice time in the 64 games he did dress.

While Bean is fine as a sixth or seventh defenceman, it’s hard to see the Flames expressing any desire to keep him around longer than this coming season. He is simply a stopgap while some of their defencemen prospects continue to round out their games in lower leagues.

4. Justin Kirkland

• Current contract: One year, $900,000 cap hit

After finally starting to carve out an NHL role for the first time in his career, Justin Kirkland’s 2024-25 season ended prematurely due to an ACL injury. It had to have been heartbreaking for the 28-year-old, though the Flames in good faith chose to give him another shot with a one-year extension.

It will be up to Kirkland to continue to be a solid bottom-six option as he was through 21 games last season if he wants to prove himself as an NHL regular moving forward.

3. Ryan Lomberg

• Current contract: Two years, $2-million cap hit

Making his return to Calgary after spending some time with the Florida Panthers, Flames fans immediately embraced Ryan Lomberg. His fearlessness on the ice, along with his always upbeat personality, makes him an extremely easy player to root for.

While Lomberg provided exactly what was expected of him in 2024-25, an extension in Calgary may prove tough, given that this organization has plenty of young wingers in the pipeline who will soon be fighting for NHL spots. That may make a player like Lomberg expendable.

2. Rasmus Andersson

• Current contract: Six years, $4.55-million cap hit

Past the midway point of July, Rasmus Andersson remains a part of the Calgary Flames lineup. That could still certainly change ahead of the 2025-26 season, as an extension between the 28-year-old and the Flames doesn’t appear likely.

Andersson is instead an asset that the Flames are hopeful will bring them a big return to help speed up their retooling process. When such a deal takes place remains to be seen, but it’s only a matter of time at this point.

1. Mikael Backlund

• Current contract: Two years, $4.5-million cap hit

It’s going to be quite interesting to see what happens with Mikael Backlund moving forward. The 36-year-old has spent his entire 1,066-game career in a Flames sweater and has served as their captain for the past two seasons.

If Backlund wants to play for a Stanley Cup, the Flames would certainly grant that wish and move him at or ahead of the trade deadline. That said, their lack of centre depth could also see him get an extension, though it would certainly come with a lower cap hit.

You might also like:
• Former Vancouver Canucks prospect getting contract terminated by Calgary Flames