Should the Calgary Flames buy out Yegor Sharangovich?

Since the contract extension, Sharangovich hasn’t been able to live up to the expectations his salary entails. In the 151 games post-extension, Sharangovich has put up a disappointing 32 goals and 62 points. The once 31-goal scorer has been primarily stapled to the Flames’ 3rd and 4th lines, and for a guy earning nearly $6M a year, it’s not a good look. This situation has happened before in Calgary, a few years back with Andrew Mangiapane.

Mangiapane had a monster 2021–22 season, putting up 35 goals and 55 points. That earned him a brand-new contract, signing a 3-year deal with a cap hit of $5.8M. The similarities between Mangiapane and Sharangovich are shockingly similar; both guys have a knack for shooting the puck and fell apart after inking new deals. Mangiapane is currently a top nine winger for the Chicago Blackhawks, after he was traded by the Edmonton Oilers eight months into his two year contract.

Sharangovich has found himself injured, healthy, scratched and cast to the wayside in favour of younger players. During the 23–24 season, Sharangovich had a shooting percentage of 17.3%; this past season, his shooting percentage was down to just 10.6%. The Sharangovich from 2023–24 was firing the puck at any chance he got, but as of the last couple of seasons, we’ve seen a more reserved and conservative Yegor Sharangovich. Dating back to his time in New Jersey and throughout his career, Sharangovich has had a track record of alternating between hot scoring streaks and poor, inconsistent play.

Does a buy out make sense?

With players like Matvei Gridin, Matt Coronato and Joel Farabee earning their spots in the Flames’ top 6, this leaves Sharangovich on the outside looking in. Sharangovich’s contract is unmovable, and it seems the only way for the Flames and the player to move on is via a buyout. Sharangovich’s salary could be hurting his play on the ice. After getting a new big-money contract, it’s plausible that he feels he has to earn all $5.75M every time he steps on the ice.

Sharangovich has talent, but that talent would be better utilized as a 3rd or 4th-line depth scorer on a contender, rather than trying to be a franchise sniper for a team in transition. In the NHL, you cannot buy out a player during the regular season, so if the Flames are to take this route, it won’t be until June 2027 at the earliest. However, a mutual contract termination can happen at any time, and although unlikely, this would make Sharangovich a free agent. Sharangovich would thrive at a much lower cap hit, playing in the bottom six for a team like Minnesota, Florida, Vegas or Edmonton.

The writing is on the wall for the Sharangovich experiment, and if a trade or termination doesn’t materialize, the Flames should consider buying him out this upcoming June.