Kirkland leaves Calgary Flames for another team in free agency
Justin Kirkland’s tenure with the Calgary Flames organization has come to an end.
As first reported by Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960, Kirkland has signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Minnesota Wild. The deal will pay him $850,000 at the NHL level and $500,000 in the AHL.
Justin Kirkland is signing in Minnesota on a one-year deal. $850,000 AAV and $500,000 in the AHL. $550,000 guarantee.
Got into 41 NHL games with the #Flames the last two seasons.
— Pat Steinberg (@Fan960Steinberg) July 1, 2026
Kirkland spent the past two seasons with the Flames organization after signing as a free agent. He quickly became a fan favourite in the 2024-25 season, thanks largely to several shootout heroics.
Unfortunately for Kirkland, his breakout season in 2024-25 was cut short due to ACL surgery in early December. The injury wound up keeping him sidelined until training camp the following season.
The 2025-26 season wasn’t as kind to Kirkland, as he struggled to make an impact when in the Flames lineup. He wound up logging just 20 games at the NHL level, while suiting up for an additional 42 with the Calgary Wranglers.
Kirkland marks the second player the Flames have lost in free agency, as earlier in the day Ryan Lomberg agreed to a two-year, $2.6 million deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets that will carry a cap hit of $1.3 million.
As for the Flames themselves, they have been quiet as expected on the opening day of free agency. That said, they have added some organizational depth, signing Mike Benning to a two-way deal, while also bringing in Luke Philp on an AHL contract.
- You might also like:
- Calgary Flames lose Ryan Lomberg to another team in free agency