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2025 Calgary Flames Free Agency Primer

Originally posted on The Win Column | By Jashan Parmar | Last updated Jun 30, 2025 2:58 PM ET

We are just a day away from free agent frenzy, the busiest day of the NHL offseason and the Calgary Flames have quite a bit on their plate. With glaring needs that must be fixed, and an abundance of cap space to use, the possibilities are endless for Craig Conroy and the rest of Flames’ management.

How does NHL Free Agency work?

There are two types of free agents, Unrestricted Free Agents (UFAs) and Restricted Free Agents (RFAs). UFAs are players who are free to sign with any NHL team. RFAs are players who are only allowed to sign with the team holding their contract rights. UFAs are split into three groups: Group 3, Group 6, and Non-Qualified RFAs.

The Majority of UFAs are Group three UFAs. These are players over the age of 27 or have played a total of seven seasons. A season is considered complete when a team plays 40 games. If injured, the team’s games count towards the player’s progress.

Then there are Group Six UFAs. These are players who become a UFA if they are the age of 25, have played at least three seasons professionally, have an expiring contract, and have played less than 80 NHL games.

Lastly, for the UFAs, there are the non-qualified RFAs. They are players who have not been given a qualifying offer by their respective team by June 30th. They then go on to become UFAs and are free to sign with any team on July 1st.

An RFA, meanwhile, is someone who does not meet the requirements of a UFA and is at the end of their contract. To RFA status, their team must extend a qualifying offer before the deadline. The qualifying offer is a one-year deal that is a certain percentage greater than the previous deal.

An RFA can be tendered an offer sheet by a different team. If he decides to accept, his current team has one week to match the exact offer. If the team decides not to match, the player will leave, and the team gaining the player will be required to send draft pick compensation to the other team. Certain RFAs are eligible for salary arbitration if they and the team are unable to find a contract amount that works; if they decide to go to arbitration, they will no longer be allowed to sign with a different team.

How much cap room do the Calgary Flames have to spend on July 1st?

The Flames have a projected cap space of $19,820,000 to spend on their pending UFAs and RFAs as well as to make signings in Free Agency.

Pending Calgary Flames free agents

Unrestricted Free Agents (UFAs)

Name	Age	Position	2024-25 Cap Hit	Likelihood of resigning
Anthony Mantha	30	RW, LW	$3.5M	Very Low
Kevin Rooney	32	C	$1.3M	Very Low
Joel Hanley	34	LD	$787,500	Very Low
Dan Vladar	27	G	$2.2M	Low
Martin Frk	31	C, LW	$775,000	Low
Clark Bishop	29	D, LW	$775,000	High
Tyson Barrie	33	D	$1.25M	Very Low
Jarred Tinordi	33	D	$800,000	Low
Jonathan Aspirot	26	D,LW	$775,000	Medium

Restricted Free Agents (RFAs)

Name	Age	Position	2024-25 Cap Hit	Likelihood of resigning
Morgan Frost	26	C	$2.1M	High
Connor Zary	23	C,LW	$863,334	Very High
Rory Kerins	23	C,LW	$846,667	High
Sam Morton	25	C,LW	$870,000	High
Nikita Okhotyuk*	24	D	$789,167	High
Yan Kuznetsov	23	D	$775,000	High
Jeremie Poirier	23	D	$823,333	High
Waltteri Ignatjew	25	G	$870,000	Low
Connor Murphy	26	G	$775,000	Medium

*Okhotyuk is currently playing in Russia. If the Flames tender him a qualifying offer, they retain his rights should he come back to North America.

What do the Calgary Flames need in Free Agency?

As stated in our Calgary Flames Draft primer, the Flames have an abundance of needs to address. From lacklustre production down the middle to uncertainty on the left side of the defence, Calgary’s management has work to do. While the need for more high-quality centres was addressed during the draft, those prospects most likely won’t be in the NHL for at least three years. With them not making a jump anytime soon, and management saying that they want to stay competitive in this “re-tool”, expect players playing those two positions to be linked to the Flames.

Top free agent targets for the Calgary Flames

With the Flames needing centres primarily, if they do decide to stay somewhat competitive, there are options. Players like Pius Suter, Jack Roslovic, and even a potential reunion with Andrew Mangiapane could be who Craig Conroy tries to lure to Calgary. The issue with the aforementioned players will be requesting longer-term deals, and already being in their late-20’s they do not fit Calgary’s timeline.

Players the Calgary Flames could trade for

Players that fit the Flames’ timeline will require management to make trades. Here at The Win Column we have done a series of taking a look at potential trade targets for the Flames. There are a few high-value targets for the Flames this offseason.

K’Andre Miller – LD – New York Rangers

First on that list is K’Andre Miller, a left-side defenceman who addresses a major need for the Flames. Currently, Calgary’s top left-side defencemen is Kevin Bahl, after him it is Jake Bean, or Ilya Solovyov. Miller is a towering presence on the blue line at 6’5″, 209lbs

The Minnesota- born player isn’t much of an offensive defenceman. He stays on the backend and he plays an excellent defensive game. Miller is an RFA, meaning Craig Conroy could decide to go straight for the offer sheet. All in all, the 25-year-old defencemen would be a much-needed addition to the Flames’ roster if the team can pull off a trade.

Bowen Byram – LD – Buffalo Sabres

Another left-shot defenceman on the market is Bowen Byram. Byram is seemingly on his way out the door in Buffalo, with his name in trade talks across the league.

Byram is an elite skater. Once he gets moving, he can command the breakout from the defensive end. He has an excellent two-way game and doesn’t leave anything on the table in the defensive zone, staying strong and playing the body.

The same as Miller, Byram would be an amazing addition to a bit of a lacklustre blue line in Calgary, while also staying young as he is just 24 years old. Just like Miller, Byram is an RFA, meaning the Flames could look at an offer sheet as well as a trade.

Marco Rossi – C – Minnesota Wild

Lastly, up front, the Flames could look to add Marco Rossi of the Minnesota Wild. The Austrian-born player is a centre that Calgary is looking for, his only downside being that he is left-handed. Rossi is an exceptional skater and finds space when it opens up.

He is extremely effective in the offensive zone, and the Flames need help on offence. Coming off a career year in goals, assists, and points, Rossi is just getting started. Rossi fits the Flames timeline, being only 23 years of age, he could be another potential offer sheet as he currently has no contract.

While all three of these players are RFAs, a trade is still on the cards. With talk around Rasmus Andersson being moved, he could be a piece to acquire one of these three.

Final thoughts

The Flames have a chance to get younger in the positions that they need to improve on and get younger in. This offseason is one of the most important for this team as it will set up the future. The smart thing would be to acquire young talent like Rossi, Byram, or Miller, while also moving some older guys. Whether or not Calgary decides to do that, we will see.