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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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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.

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