Flames 2021 Free Agency Preview: Needs, targets, issues

Flames GM Brad Treliving discusses how the team will work to move forward after losing their captain Mark Giordano to the Seattle Kraken.

Nothing is more pressing for the Calgary Flames than filling the gaping hole left by the loss of Mark Giordano.

Unfortunately for the Flames, there’s only one player on the open market capable of filling those shoes, and let’s just say there’s a better chance Freddie Hamilton would return to Calgary before brother Dougie would.

The list of UFA defencemen the Flames have been studying for months doesn’t include the type of top-pairing leader Giordano is.

Still, while many continue to wait for the significant changes needed to come via trade this summer, the team will undoubtedly reach into the free-agent pool to fill several depth positions.

On top of shoring up a thin blue line with a top-four and a top-six defender, the Flames are also in search of a top-six right winger, a few more depth wingers, a fourth-line centre and a backup goalie.

Losing Giordano to the Seattle Kraken opened up $6.75 million more to spend, bringing Calgary’s total cap space to $18.625 million.

Seventeen teams have more cap space than that, making it a dog fight for the handful of top free agents.

And so, they’ll likely settle for depth adds considering how much money needs to be apportioned next year to up the salaries of Matthew Tkachuk, Andrew Mangiapane and potentially Johnny Gaudreau.

The fact remains, the Flames need to make a splash of some sort this summer, be it by trade or free agency.

So far it has been quiet, outside of acquiring depth winger Tyler Pitlick, which has observers waiting for big news at some point.

As general manager Brad Treliving alluded to on the weekend, it hasn’t been easy to find a dance partner this summer, putting even more pressure on filling gaps by way of the wallet.

“It may not happen in a day or two days, but between now and the puck drop, that’s the goal,” said Treliving of plans to try improving a team that fell woefully short of the playoffs last season.

“Our focus now turns to free agency and the trade market and how we upgrade our roster.”

While teams all around them have been active, the Flames wait for their moment to strike.

Calgary, you are on the clock.

Salary cap space: $18,625,000
Roster size: 14/23
Salary committed to forwards: $41.375 million (10)
Salary committed to defence: $14 million (3)
Salary committed to goalies: $6 million (1)

Potential UFA targets

Gabriel Landeskog, F

Captain and leader of one of the best teams in the NHL, the 28-year-old left winger can also play centre. He embodies the type of heart-and-soul approach the Flames have been short on for years. The bruising veteran can put up points and instantly fill the vacant captaincy. The price tag would be high, assuming he isn’t willing to discount himself to return to the Colorado Avalanche. No UFA available could move the needle in Calgary like him.

Brandon Montour, D

The right-handed defenceman showed significant offensive prowess early in his career with the Anaheim Ducks before enduring three disappointing, injury filled seasons in Buffalo. He’s 27, and still has a big upside on any team not named Sabres.

Mike Reilly, D

The 28-year-old defenceman had a great year spent with the Ottawa Senators and Boston Bruins, upping his value on the open market as a solid, puck-moving lefty.

Nick Ritchie, LW

Following a solid, 15-goal season as a top-sixer in Boston, the six-foot-two, 230-pound left winger wasn’t qualified by the Bruins. The Flames already have brother Brett in the fold, and Sutter loves those big, bruising forwards. He’s only 25.

Kyle Palmieri, RW

Pretty much a cinch to score more than 20 goals, the 30-year-old would be a nice fit on the second or third line.

Mikael Granlund, F

Versatile enough to play any forward position, it wasn’t all that long ago the 29-year-old Finn was a 20-goal scorer who approached a few point-per-game seasons. Given his last two campaigns, he could be snagged at a reasonable price.

Aaron Dell, G

The 32-year-old Airdrie, Alta., native would make for an inexpensive, reliable backup for the 15 games Jacob Markstrom doesn’t play.

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