Projecting Calgary Flames lines for the 2026-27 season
As was expected, the Calgary Flames weren’t big players in this year’s opening day of free agency. In fact, they didn’t make any signings for their current roster.
That was always going to be the case, as the rebuilding Flames are looking to give younger players opportunities to grab roster spots for the upcoming 2026-27 season. Despite not being players in free agency, however, GM Craig Conroy and his staff have stayed plenty busy.
The Flames made a major trade ahead of free agency, acquiring defenceman Simon Nemec along with forward Maxim Tysplakov from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for two first-round selections in 2027 and 2028, a second-round selection in this year’s draft, and blueline prospect Etienne Morin.
Conroy wasn’t done there, either. On Thursday, it was announced that the Flames had traded Blake Coleman and Olli Maatta to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Jacob Middleton and three draft picks, the highest of which is a second-round selection in 2029.
Having traded several veteran presences this year, including Nazem Kadri, Rasmus Andersson, and MacKenzie Weegar, the Flames’ opening night roster for the 2026-27 season will look much different than a year ago.
With that said, here’s a look at what their lines could wind up looking like to kick off the 2026-27 campaign.
Matvei Gridin – Morgan Frost – Matt Coronato
Jonathan Huberdeau – Ryan Strome – Connor Zary
Sam Honzek – Mikael Backlund – Joel Farabee
Yegor Sharangovich – Martin Pospisil – Adam Klapka
Extra: Maxim Tysplakov
Kevin Bahl – Simon Nemec
Zayne Parekh – Jake Middleton
Yan Kuznetsov – Zach Whitecloud
Extra: Hunter Brzustewicz
Dustin Wolf
Devin Cooley
There are several interesting decisions for head coach Ryan Huska to make here. One involves Connor Zary and deciding where he fits, assuming he remains part of the Flames by the time the 2026-27 season begins.
There are also questions surrounding the health of Jonathan Huberdeau after undergoing hip resurfacing surgery in the spring. Should he be unavailable to go for the start of the season, that could create more opportunity for Yegor Sharangovich.
There are some questions surrounding the blue line, as well. Conroy told reporters following the Nemec trade that Zayne Parekh is more comfortable playing on the left side, which is why he is projected to do so above. The acquisitions of Nemec and Middleton seemingly push Hunter Brzustewicz down the depth chart and could even result in him spending some more time with the Calgary Wranglers.
How Huska decides to deploy his lines remains to be seen, but based on what he has to work with right now, these projections feel pretty close to what fans should expect to see for the season opener.