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Calgary Flames offer sheet targets: Evan Bouchard

Originally posted on The Win Column
By Simon Szyszkowski | Last updated May 8, 2025 12:07 PM ET

The Calgary Flames are retired to the golf course for the year, awaiting the end of the playoffs and the beginning of the offseason. The Win Column is starting a new series covering all the players whom the Calgary Flames could potentially offer sheet to improve their team going into next season.

In this part, we are going to be looking at Edmonton Oilers defenceman Evan Bouchard. Bouchard appears to be up for a massive payday with the Oilers, with reports speculating the price could be anywhere from $9M to $11M per year. Unfortunately for him, he may not be the biggest player that the Oilers are trying to lockdown.

Connor McDavid is in the penultimate year of his own $100M contract and will most likely be looking to get a record-breaking deal done in his own right. So it begs the question, if the Oilers end up not being able to afford their homegrown offensive defenceman. Is there a possibility that their biggest rival will be the one to snake him away?

Can the Flames do it?

The Calgary Flames currently have two things in abundance, cap space and draft capital. In fact, they have enough of either to be able to offer sheet anyone at any price.

Offer Sheet AAV	Compensation	Are the Flames eligible?
Above $11,452,295	Next four 1st Round Picks (Starting 2026)	Yes
$9,161,835 – $11,452,294	Next two 1st Round Picks (Starting 2026) 2026 2nd Round Pick 2026 3rd Round Pick	Yes
$6,871,375 – $9,161,834	2026 1st Round Pick 2026 2nd Round Pick 2026 3rd Round Pick	Yes

Now that we have established that, the question becomes whether or not the Flames should do it. They do have a star defenceman of their own in Rasmus Andersson due for a massive pay day. Why would the Flames take the money that they could give to Andersson for free and give it to Bouchard for a price?

Should the Flames do it?

The conversation about whether or not the Flames should bring back Rasmus Andersson has been a major storyline this season. Fans have flipped back and forth on whether or not they want the Swedish defender to return. It would seem though that in The Win Column’s most recent poll on the matter, fans have come to a decision. Andersson should not return.

Revisiting this topic because it's timely. What would you do with Rasmus Andersson after seeing most of his 2024–25 campaign? #Flames
— The Win Column (@wincolumnCGY) April 8, 2025

When one door closes, another one opens. It would cost the Flames at least their first three picks of the first three rounds of the 2026 NHL Draft. Would that be worth it?

It really depends on whether or not you think the Calgary Flames should be aiming to compete next season or try to drop into the lottery. If the Flames are going to be trying to make the playoffs and contend, then Bouchard would probably help them out quite a bit in that endeavor.

If the goal is to do the opposite and try to get a high pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, getting rid of your first-rounder is probably not the way to go. The 2026 draft is going to be headlined by Gavin McKenna, who has dominated the WHL the last couple seasons, and he is far from the only strong prospect available in the lottery. Either way you go would be a risk, so what would Craig Conroy do?

Will it happen?

It’s a tough decision that would almost certainly have the C of Red split if there was a chance of it becoming a reality. Unfortunately, the chances of something like this happening are slim. This would be a mind-blowingly aggressive move for Craig Conroy to make.

Even when you consider the fact that Bouchard is three years younger than Andersson and therefore fits into the Flames’ contending window better, the cost may just be too much to pay.

This article first appeared on The Win Column and was syndicated with permission.

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