Free agent enforcer Ryan Lomberg is heading back to where his NHL career began, signing a two-year deal with the Flames. Per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, it carries a $2MM cap hit. They’ve also inked winger Martin Frk, who boasts one of the hardest shots in the world, to a one-year, two-way deal, per Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli. It has a $775K cap hit, the team announced.
Lomberg had a very limited role in Calgary in his first stint with the team when he was primarily a minor leaguer. However, he eventually worked his way into a full-time spot with Florida. The 29-year-old had 12 goals and eight assists in 2022-23, becoming one of the more valuable fourth liners that year. However, he wasn’t able to produce at a similar level last season, being held to five goals and two assists in 75 games although he did record a career-best 179 hits. Lomberg also got into eight playoff games along the way to Florida’s first Stanley Cup title.
Florida had hoped to re-sign Lomberg but pulled out of talks when it became clear he was going to cost more than what they could afford. Considering this is a 150% increase on his previous contract, this was clearly out of the Panthers’ price range. Lomberg should have a regular role on Calgary’s fourth line and will give them some grit and energy as they kick off what looks to be a multi-year rebuilding process.
As for Frk, he returns to North America after spending last season in the Swiss NL where he had seven goals and nine assists in 33 games with Bern and Rapperswil. The 30-year-old has 124 career NHL appearances, the last of which came back in 2021-22 with Los Angeles. Frk has been relatively productive in that limited action, collecting 2o goals and 21 assists, which could give him a chance to break camp with the Flames in a depth role. If that doesn’t happen, he should be a key scorer with the Wranglers next season.
Would’ve liked to Stars to have gotten him.