What should the Calgary Flames do with their 2023 free agents?
The Calgary Flames have got the admin part of their off-season out of the way, and now, all eyes will turn to the 2023 NHL Draft, the developing trade market and eventually free agency, and while most of the attention is on their pending UFA’s for 2024, the Flames have some decisions to make on their 2023 free agents. With many holes to fill on the roster, the team need to make many moves this off-season, and if they are to make the big splash trade or two, then they could be looking to bring some pending FA’s back.
While it’s not a star studded cast, the Flames will be looking to fill this roster out with talented depth pieces, and if outside free agents aren’t the play, then the team could look to reunite with some familiar faces, so what should they do with their top five names?
5. Nick Ritchie
The Calgary Flames made one of the strangest moves at this past season’s trade deadline, as they swapped fourth line battler Brett Ritchie with the Arizona Coyotes for his brother Nick, and after an underwhelming performance in his time with Calgary, it’s safe to say that this shouldn’t be a name the Flames look to bring back.
In 16 games with Calgary, Ritchie contributed 4 goals and 1 assist for 5 points, but with the Flames looking to get younger with the likes of Matthew Phillips, Matt Coronato, Walker Duehr, Jakob Pelletier and Connor Zary among others as candidates to have significant roles on the team, it just makes no sense to bring Ritchie back.
4. Michael Stone
Michael Stone seemingly has a connection to the Calgary Flames that simply can’t be broken, as he has signed five contracts with the team since being acquired from the Arizona Coyotes, and while the consistency simply hasn’t been there, his physical presence and hard shot make him a great depth piece for any team.
The Flames have plenty of holes to fill and moves to make in the coming weeks, so Stone will not be a big priority for them, and while the team shouldn’t make a move for him early in the off-season, if he’s still available as the season rolls around, having him as the 7th defenceman on the roster would be a great move for this team.
3. Matthew Phillips
While there were many players who’s performance and playing time were severely effected by the 2022-23 Flames coaching staff, perhaps none more so than AHL standout Matthew Phillips, who appeared in just 2 NHL games despite putting up 36 goals and 40 assists for 76 points in 66 games. Now, he’s a free agent and while his future in Calgary seemed bleak a few months ago, the home town kid could now be looking to remain with the team, with the chances even higher if Mitch Love becomes an assistant with the team.
Ultimately, the 25-year old has done absolutely everything he can to be given a chance at the NHL level, and with the team looking to get youth and enthusiasm into the lineup, bringing Phillips back on a cheap deal would make sense, as would pairing him with the likes of Dillon Dube, Adam Ruzicka and/or Walker Duehr down the lineup.
2. Troy Stecher
While many Flames fans were urging the team to make big moves at the 2022-23 NHL Trade Deadline, they decided to stand pat, with the only significant move being made was to swap the Ritchie brothers, while also acquiring the high energy Troy Stecher in the process. In 20 games with the Flames, Stecher contributed 3 big goals and 4 assists for 7 points, and became a major fan favourite in a short period of time, but with a loaded blue line group, can the Flames bring him back?
Long story short, yes, Calgary should bring Stecher back to pair with Nikita Zadorov as the third blue line pairing, but only on the condition that they move Noah Hanifin, as this would open up cap space for them to add another top forward, while giving Stecher the chance to solidify a key role for this team.
1. Milan Lucic
When Milan Lucic came to the Calgary Flames, he was struggling to live up to his massive contract with the Edmonton Oilers, and while he became a fan favourite with the team over his four seasons, it’s safe to say that many fans grew weary of his struggles throughout this past season. Now, Lucic is officially off the books, and at 35-years of age with 1,173 NHL games of experience, he will no doubt weight up this time to consider his future, even though he was a solid veteran influence on the recent Canadian gold medal winning squad at the 2023 IIHF World Championships.
While his role was questionable this past year due to Darryl Sutter’s insistence on playing his veterans big minutes, Lucic has clearly slowed down and is no where near as physical as he once was, and as a player, his time in Calgary has likely come to an end. That doesn’t mean the Flames should completely let him go, as he is a beloved figure in the city and a great leader, so if his time on the ice is done, the Flames should be looking to bring him in as a coach or give him a role somewhere in the organization, but for now, his on-ice career as a member of the Calgary Flames should be over.