In the summer of 2024, Ryan Lomberg signed a two-year deal with the Calgary Flames, despite coming off his Stanley Cup victory with the Florida Panthers. Across two seasons with the Flames, Lomberg played his role of physical force and culture setter perfectly, but after two seasons, he's once again a free agent.
While the market isn't going to be too hot for a player like Lomberg with little offensive production, he could play a good role for a Stanley Cup Playoff contending team on the fourth line. As a result, he's expected to draw some interest, and recently, it has been reported that Lomberg will officially test free agency.
Following that, Lomberg himself decided to address his pending free agency, and on the latest episode of Flames Talk, he noted that a door to return to Calgary certainly isn't closed, but he isn't sure how things will play out.
Ryan Lomberg on #Flames talk today says no doors are closed are on a return to Calgary but admits he doesn't know what is going to happen.
— Logan Gordon (@Fan960Logan) June 19, 2026
Says his family has a house in Calgary & plan on keeping it regardless of his future with the team.@Sportsnet960 @Fan960Steinberg
Fans are well aware of the love that Lomberg has for the city, and in the same interview, he notes that regardless of where he ends up, he and his wife will be keeping their house in Calgary given the love they have for the city and the community.
For every NHL team, there's always a role for a player like Lomberg on the fourth line, but given the logjam the Flames already have in their forward group and the outlook of the 2026/27 campaign, bringing him back doesn't make complete sense. However, he's one of few NHLers that have openly and repeatedly expressed their love for Calgary, and given that the door isn't closed, there's always a chance he could look to return on a very cheap deal.
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