The Flames have signed Martin Pospisil to a three-year extension, according to his agent, Dan Milstein of Gold Star Hockey. The 6’2″ center/winger will earn an average of $2.5MM per season for a total value of $7.5MM, according to PuckPedia.
Pospisil, 25, began the 2024-25 season on the NHL roster for the first time. He was fresh off signing a two-year, $2MM extension that he signed amid his rookie campaign in 2023-24 that will still carry him through the upcoming season at a $1MM cap hit, but he now won’t be eligible for restricted free agency next summer. Today’s extension will take him to unrestricted free agency in 2029.
The heavy-hitting Slovak forward has been consistent ever since working his way into a regular NHL role. He appeared in all but one game for Calgary in 2024-25, recording a 4-21–25 scoring line while improving his discipline, bringing his PIM total down to 84 after logging 109 in 63 appearances in his rookie campaign. He still had a team-leading 301 hits, tied with William Cuylle for third in the league.
Pospisil averaged 13:48 of ice time per game last season, including a tad under a minute per game on the power play as a net-front presence. Without much turnover among the Flames’ forward group this summer, he’ll figure to slot into a similar role in his final season under his current deal before the extension kicks in for 2026-27. He saw more time at center in 2024-25, winning 40.8% of his 174 faceoffs, and that could continue if he continues to see primarily fourth-line deployment at even strength.
While his new cap hit is fair value for the production and overall impact he’s provided in Calgary’s lineup over the past couple of years, it is interesting to see them prioritize a multi-year deal for Pospisil over some other more pressing items. Restricted free agent Connor Zary remains without a contract for the upcoming season, while Calgary also has key players at each position – Mikael Backlund at center, Rasmus Andersson at defense, and pending RFA Dustin Wolf in goal, who need new contracts for 2026-27, although Andersson is more likely a trade candidate than an extension one.
Image courtesy of Jerome Miron-Imagn Images.
Doghockey is the Grand Puba of commentators and the smartest, most knowledgeable being on this site. Very fortunate to be able to read his thoughts on an almost daily basis. Blessed.
Too much money for a mediocre 4th liner. Cap increase or not.
Guy’s a huge physical presence, and 25 pts is pretty dern good production for fourth line. That isn’t all that bad a deal.
He’s an impact player via his physicality. Other teams absolutely think about him when he’s on the ice.
Tough to see where Pospisil fits into the lineup other than the 4th line ( provided Zary is re-signed ).
Over/under on how long before he injures someone with one of his patented cheap hits (late, from behind or to the head) or is suspended for one of them? Also bonus points on if he will ever answer the call from someone for laying one of said hits?