The Calgary Flames haven't had the most busy off-season, and beyond trades to acquire Simon Nemec and deal Blake Coleman, there haven't been many significant moves that will effect the team at the NHL level moving forward.
However, down in the AHL, the team have been getting some tidy work done, and with the addition of several depth players to go along with the arrival of some key prospects, the Calgary Wranglers have the opportunity to turn things around.
Improving on 2025/26 shouldn't be too hard for the Wranglers, and with the new season just over 24 hours away, the team have brought in a very familiar face on a professional tryout.
Calgary Wranglers Sign Derek Forbort to a PTO
That player would be Derek Forbort, and while he wasn't with the Calgary Flames for long, he's a familiar face to many fans after appearing in seven games for the team back in 2019/20. That came after a lengthy stint with the division rival Los Angeles Kings, and in the past two years, he's appeared in 56 games for the Vancouver Canucks.
However, he's yet to find a new team for the 2026/27 season, and at 34-years-old, his time as a full-time NHLer may be over, as the Wranglers announced that he's been signed to a professional tryout ahead of the new season.
Tell a friend to tell a friend, HE'S BAAAACK 🔥
— Calgary Wranglers (@AHLWranglers) October 1, 2026
The Wranglers have added former @NHLFlames Derek Forbort to the roster on a PTO. pic.twitter.com/blTOEeTANL
Given the depth of Joel Hanley and Brayden Pachal at the NHL level with Hunter Brzustewicz likely the first call up, this won't be a path for Forbort to get back to the league in Calgary, but in the AHL, he could provide some solid depth.
What Role Does Forbort Play in 2026/27?
In his last full NHL season in 2024/25, Forbort tallied 2 goals and 11 points with the Canucks, and as a result, he's struggling to find a role at the NHL level, even with the veteran presence that he can provide.
With the Wranglers this year, the team have some young names in Axel Hurtig, Brzustewicz and Abram Wiebe, and while they have veterans to guide the way, bringing in a player with 552 games of NHL experience under his belt certainly won't hurt.
Whether or not he wins a full-time contract with the team or not, only time will tell, but given the experience and the familiarity with the organization, this is a solid move for the Wranglers, especially if they have expectations of a Calder Cup Playoffs run this season.
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