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Three Veteran Free Agents The Flames Could Target

By Nathan Smith |
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 28: General manager Craig Conroy of the Calgary Flames is seen prior to round one of the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena on June 28, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 28: General manager Craig Conroy of the Calgary Flames is seen prior to round one of the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena on June 28, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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The Calgary Flames come into Free Agency with very little money to spend, and have reportedly been attempting to work the trade market in order to clear some cap space, and when that happens, they should still have some solid options remaining on the free agent market.

The first day of free agency was absolutely wild, with so much player movement as teams look to build depth ahead of the 2023-24 campaign, and while the Flames won’t be in the market for any top names, they could take some cheap fliers on veterans when Noah Hanifin, Mikael Backlund and potential Elias Lindholm are shipped out. If that does happen, here are three veteran names the Flames could take a shot on for cheap.

DALLAS, TEXAS – MAY 25: Max Domi #18 of the Dallas Stars skates against the Vegas Golden Knights during the third period in Game Four of the Western Conference Final of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center on May 25, 2023 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS – MAY 25: Max Domi #18 of the Dallas Stars skates against the Vegas Golden Knights during the third period in Game Four of the Western Conference Final of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center on May 25, 2023 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

The Calgary Flames could target Max Domi

Max Domi came into the NHL with plenty of expectations on his shoulders after being picked No. 12 overall by the Arizona Coyotes back in 2013, and while he’s never taken the leap into stardom, he’s no doubt been a valuable contributor wherever he’s been. With Chicago and Dallas a season ago, Domi had his highest goal output in a season since 2018-19 (20 last year after 27 with Montreal five years ago), and after adding 36 assists, he could be a valuable option on a short term deal if Calgary do indeed move Lindholm and Backlund.

Sure, there’s every chance that this team is done by the trade deadline and they could flip him for some prospects or draft picks, but right now, the team appear to be pushing for a competitive season in 2023-24, and if they can get Domi for under $5 million on a one/two year deal, it would be an option worth exploring.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 10: Vladimir Tarasenko #91 of the New York Rangers skates against the Buffalo Sabres at Madison Square Garden on April 10, 2023 in New York City. The Sabres defeated the Rangers 3-2 in the shootout. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 10: Vladimir Tarasenko #91 of the New York Rangers skates against the Buffalo Sabres at Madison Square Garden on April 10, 2023 in New York City. The Sabres defeated the Rangers 3-2 in the shootout. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

The Calgary Flames could look to target Vladimir Tarasenko

While Vladimir Tarasenko certainly isn’t the player he was when he helped the St. Louis Blues to their first Stanley Cup win in franchise history, he could be a cheap, one-year option for the Flames if they want to find a goal scoring wing opposite Jonathan Huberdeau or alongside Nazem Kadri. In 2022-23 with the Blues and the New York Rangers, the veteran tallied 18 goals and 32 assists, and like Domi, he’s a player the team could flip at the deadline if he can get hot to start the year once again.

If Calgary are looking to compete for a playoff spot, a flier on a proven veteran goal scorer isn’t the worst way to go, and while he would certainly not be featured in the team’s long term plans, it’s a way to find more assets at the deadline, or a prove it deal that could end up with Tarasenko turning back the clock.

WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 13: Tomas Tatar #90 of the New Jersey Devils in action against the Washington Capitals during the first period of the game at Capital One Arena on April 13, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 13: Tomas Tatar #90 of the New Jersey Devils in action against the Washington Capitals during the first period of the game at Capital One Arena on April 13, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

The Calgary Flames should target Tomas Tatar

The Calgary Flames are certainly going to look to elevate some of their young names in the lineup this season as they look for development as well as a potential playoff push, and if they want to find a veteran forward to play down the lineup, then look no further than Tomas Tatar. He bounced back well after a down season in 2021-22 and ended the year playing all 82 games, scoring 20 goals while adding 28 assists, and at 32-years of age, he certainly wouldn’t be out of place getting a one-year deal in Calgary to prove he can still contribute at a high level.

Ultimately, there’s plenty of playoff ready teams out there that will no doubt call on Tatar, but if he’s still available after the Flames make some big moves, they should kick the tires on the veteran, who, like the others, could be flipped down the stretch if he’s having another great year.

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