How much Calgary Flames free agents are projected to make this summer
The Calgary Flames are entering the offseason with some big decisions to make from a roster standpoint.
Management was able to get one out of the way early, signing Matt Coronato to a seven-year extension that will carry an average annual value of $6.5 million. They have three other pending RFAs from their 2024-25 roster still in need of extensions: Connor Zary, Adam Klapka, and Kevin Bahl.
The Flames also have a number of pending UFAs they will need to make decisions on before free agency begins in July. Here is a look at what those UFAs are expected to sign for on their next contracts based on AFP Analytics projections.
Dan Vladar
- AFP projection: $1.46 million for one year
Dan Vladar’s future remains to be seen. It sounds like the Flames are willing to bring him back to continue serving as Dustin Wolf’s backup, though the 27-year-old may prefer to test the open market in hopes of finding a more prominent role.
Vladar’s expiring contract was a two-year deal with a $2.2-million cap hit. AFP has him taking a pay cut this time around, though it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him sign a similar deal to the one he’s coming off of, especially if he remains with the Flames.
Joel Hanley has earned a raise
- AFP projection: $1.16 for two years
After being healthy scratched in the vast majority of games through the first few months of the 2024-25 season, Joel Hanley wound up proving to be a very valuable top-four defenceman for the Flames. The 33-year-old suited up for a career-high 53 games, scoring two goals and nine points while averaging over 18 minutes in ice time.
Most Flames fans would agree that, based on his performance this past season, AFP is undervaluing him. Should he fail to command anything more on the open market, there is real reason to bring him back, but his impressive showing could see him earn a deal north of $2 million elsewhere.
Kirkland has earned his stripes
- AFP projection: $775,000 for one year
A torn ACL ruined what was one of the NHL’s best feel-good stories in Justin Kirkland. The 28-year-old was finally beginning to carve out an everyday NHL role after plenty of adversity, fitting in well on the Flames’ fourth line. Through the 21 games he played, he scored two goals and eight points.
Given that Kirkland quickly became a fan favourite in Calgary and won’t require any sort of lucrative deal, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Flames bring him back on a deal similar to what AFP is projecting.
Mantha needs to prove himself again
- AFP projection: $775,000 for one year
You have to feel for Anthony Mantha, who signed a one-year, prove-it deal with the Flames in hopes of having a big season and striking a bigger contract this offseason. Instead, he was limited to just 13 games due to an ACL tear in November.
To Mantha’s credit, he was an effective player through those 13 games, scoring four goals and seven points. A return to Calgary isn’t likely, meaning he will instead have to settle for another prove-it deal elsewhere. His $3.5 million cap hit in 2024-25 suggests he may get more than AFP is projecting, but a pay cut seems likely.
Rooney could struggle to find NHL work
- AFP projection: $775,000 for one year
Despite plenty of the fanbase thinking otherwise, head coach Ryan Huska seemed to find Kevin Rooney valuable as a fourth-line centre this past season. The 31-year-old doesn’t bring many intangibles, however, and doesn’t chip in much with secondary scoring.
The Flames are likely to replace Rooney with a younger player in 2025-26, and the veteran of 330 NHL games may need to be patient in free agency in hopes of finding another NHL gig. If he is able to find one, the contract projected by AFP should be close to bang on.
- You might also like:
- Gaudreau's mom shares heartwarming exchange with Calgary Flames rookie Wolf