Headlines

Go To MLB Trade Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Flames Rumors

Flames, Justin Kirkland Agree To Two-Way Deal

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The Flames have signed center/left winger Justin Kirkland to a two-way deal, per a team announcement. Financial terms weren’t disclosed.

Kirkland, 27, has seen NHL spot duty the last two seasons after playing the previous six in the AHL without a call-up. After skating in his first seven NHL games with the Ducks in 2022-23, Kirkland landed a one-year, two-way deal with the Coyotes last summer after reaching UFA status early via a Group VI designation. In Arizona, he added two major league games to his career tally, laying five hits and averaging 7:14 per game in an early January call-up.

He remains a strong minor-league scoring forward, even if he’s still in search of his first NHL point. A third-round pick of the Predators back in 2014, he made 43 appearances for AHL Tucson last year, recording eight goals and 22 assists for 30 points.

Kirkland now returns for his second stint in the Flames organization, where he had a career-high 25 goals and 48 points with AHL Stockton in 2021-22. He spent three seasons in Stockton on consecutive one-year, two-way deals from the Flames beginning when the Preds didn’t qualify him upon completion of his entry-level contract in 2019.

He’s the second major veteran addition to Calgary’s group of projected minor-leaguers this fall, joining 30-year-old Czech sharp-shooter Martin Frk. They’ll help anchor an AHL Calgary offense that’s likely to include a pair of first-round picks in Matthew Coronato (2021) and Samuel Honzek (2023).

Two-Way Signings: Schueneman, Aspirot, Gaudette, Gambrell, Poolman, Richard, Entwistle

at CDT | by 3 Comments

The first day of NHL free agency saw over $1B spent for the first time in league history. Much of that went to stars across the league, though general managers are also having to focus on building up their farm programs. Here are five smaller names signed on Tuesday. Each of these deals carry a $775K cap hit at the NHL level, unless otherwise specified.

  • The St. Louis Blues have signed defenseman Corey Schueneman to a one-year contract. Schueneman, 28, appeared in 64 games with the Colorado Eagles this season, netting four goals, 22 points, 24 penalty minutes, and a +2. He’s a quick-paced, hard-shooting defender who carries a lot of heft in his frame, even at 5-foot-11. He’s already made his NHL debut, appearing in 31 games with Montreal between 2021 and 2023 and scoring two goals and seven points. Schueneman is likely set for a role on the Springfield Thunderbirds lineup, where he’ll compete for ice time with Blues prospects like Marc-Andre Gaudet and Hunter Skinner.
  • The Calgary Flames have re-signed defender Jonathan Aspirot to a one-year contract. Aspirot, 25, spent 66 games with the Calgary Wranglers last season, scoring a career-high 33 points and adding 80 penalty minutes and a -6. It was Aspirot’s first year in Calgary, after spending four years with the Belleville Senators. He totaled 63 points in 161 games with Belleville, and will now be set to reassume his top-end role with the Wranglers next season.
  • Belleville is due for their own reinforcements, with the Ottawa Senators signing Adam Gaudette to a one-year deal (Twitter link). Gaudette, 27, led the AHL with 44 goals last season, in his pursuit of 71 points across 67 games with the Springfield Thunderbirds. It was a breakout year for Gaudette, after totaling 27 goals and 51 points in 65 games between the Toronto Marlies and Thunderbirds in 2022-23. Gaudette was formerly a top prospect in the NHL, appearing in 220 games across six seasons in the NHL. He’s only managed 27 goals and 70 points in those appearances, though his recent scoring could suggest upside still untapped. The Senators will hope that’s the case, as they position Gaudette for a premier role in the AHL next year.
  • The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed forward Dylan Gambrell to a one-year deal. Gambrell spent all of this seaosn in the minor leagues, playing in 66 games with the Marlies. He managed 14 goals and 36 points – his highest AHL scoring since the 2018-19 season. Gambrell has been based much more in the NHL over the last six seasons, totaling 233 games and 40 points. He’ll be set for a top line role with the Cleveland Monsters, and push for a spot near the bottom of Columbus’ NHL lineup.
  • The Buffalo Sabres have signed defenseman Colton Poolman to a one-year deal (Twitter link). Poolman, 28, has spent the entirety of his four-year pro career in the Flames organization to date. The younger brother of Canucks defenseman Tucker Poolman had three goals and three assists in 66 games for the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers last season.
  • The Philadelphia Flyers have signed forward Anthony Richard to a two-year deal (Twitter link). Richard spent 59 games with the Providence Bruins last year, netting 25 goals and 55 points. It was a small step down for Richard, after netting 30 goals and 67 points last year. He’s also totaled 24 NHL games since 2018, scoring eight points. Richard should be set for a starring role with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, with a chance to push for the NHL roster.
  • The Florida Panthers signed MacKenzie Entwistle to a one-year deal. Entwistle, 24, has spent most of the last three seasons on the Chicago Blackhawks lineup, though he’s managed just 33 points in 188 games. He’ll now join the reigning Stanley Cup champions, though his two-way deal suggests he’ll have to work his way up to the NHL from an AHL start.

Minor Free Agent Signings: Pacific Division

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

With over 180 deals signed during the first day of free agency yesterday, some smaller names may have gotten lost in the shuffle. Here’s a list of names that have inked two-way deals with Pacific Division clubs since the market opened yesterday, per CapFriendly. Some of these may have been included in our main coverage yesterday, while others went under the radar. All contracts carry the league-minimum $775K cap hit unless stated otherwise). Those listed here are likely to begin 2024-25 with each team’s AHL affiliate.

Anaheim Ducks

none

Calgary Flames

G Devin Cooley (two years)
F Martin Frk (one year)

Edmonton Oilers

D Connor Carrick (one year)
G Collin Delia (one year)
F James Hamblin (two years)
D Noel Hoefenmayer (one year)
F Noah Philp (one year)

Los Angeles Kings

F Glenn Gawdin (two years)
F Tyler Madden (one year)
F Jack Studnicka (one year)
D Reilly Walsh (one year)

San Jose Sharks

D Lucas Carlsson (two years, $800K cap hit)
D Jimmy Schuldt (one year)

Seattle Kraken

F Brandon Biro (one year)
D Nikolas Brouillard (one year)
D Maxime Lajoie (one year)
F Mitchell Stephens (two years)

Vancouver Canucks

G Jiří Patera (one year)
F Nathan Smith (one year)

Vegas Golden Knights

F Zach Aston-Reese (one year)

Flames Sign Ryan Lomberg, Martin Frk

at CDT | by 1 Comment

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.

Flames To Sign Mantha, Bean, Cooley; Extend Sharangovich

at CDT | by 3 Comments

The Flames are landing UFA winger Anthony Mantha on a one-year deal worth $3.5MM, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports. They’ve also signed forward Yegor Sharangovich to a five-year, $5.75MM AAV extension, per his agent Dan Milstein. He was entering the final year of his contract.

Additionally, Calgary is closing in on a two-year deal worth under $2MM annually for defenseman Jake Bean, per Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli. TSN’s Chris Johnston clarifies the AAV is $1.75MM. Milstein also adds they’re signing Devin Cooley for goaltending depth on a two-year deal worth $775K annually. It’s a two-way deal in the first year with a $400K AHL salary.

Mantha is looking to rebound off a disappointing finish in what appeared to be a strong season. In 56 games with the Washington Capitals to start the season, Mantha put together 20 goals and 34 points before being traded to the Vegas Golden Knights for a pair of draft picks. Unfortunately, the experience in Vegas did not pan out for either side as Mantha collected three goals and 10 points in 18 games after the trade before finally being scratched in the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs.

After a season of change in Calgary, Mantha will be looking to provide a full year of quality production with increased opportunity. The Flames top six has seen multiple changes over the last calendar year and Mantha represents a capable option to plug into the team’s top-six. It’s a low-risk contract for a team that will likely attempt to move on from Mantha at next season’s trade deadline.

In addition to Mantha, the Flames organization made a sizeable commitment to Sharangovich a year after the team acquired him from the New Jersey Devils. Sharangovich played extraordinarily well in his first season in Alberta as he scored 31 goals and 59 points while appearing in all 82 regular season contests. With the extension kicking in July 1st, 2025, Sharangovich will not need a new contract until after the 2029-30 NHL season.

The Flames also pounced on Bean after the Columbus Blue Jackets decided not to tender him a qualifying offer — making him an unrestricted free agent. Bean is set to get more of an opportunity in Calgary as the team could slot him next to Daniil Miromanov in the team’s top four.

Lastly, the Flames organization adds Cooley from the San Jose Sharks organization as a third-string goaltender. Getting his first taste of NHL action last year, Cooley put up a 2-3-1 record over six starts and held a .870 save percentage and 4.98 goals against average.

Oliver Kylington To Test Free Agency

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

For the past several weeks, the Flames and Oliver Kylington had been talking about a new contract with a mutual desire to get something done.  Early in the day, Sportsnet’s Eric Francis reported that Calgary hadn’t given up hope on getting a new deal in place.  However, TSN’s Salim Valji reports (Twitter link) that the blueliner will indeed hit the open market tomorrow.

Kylington is one of the wild cards of this year’s free agent class.  In 2021-22, he had a breakout campaign, collecting nine goals and 22 assists in 73 games while logging over 18 minutes a night.  It looked like he had arrived as a legitimate full-time NHL blueliner, resulting in Calgary giving him a two-year, $5MM agreement.

However, the 27-year-old hardly played on that contract.  He took all of 2022-23 away from the team and missed half of this season to focus on his mental health.  When he did return in January, the Flames were cautious with him, easing him in.  Overall, Kylington played in 33 games, picking up three goals and five assists while averaging 17:15 per contest.

For his career, Kylington has played in just 201 games, recording 55 points.  That’s not a significant body of work for a typical unrestricted free agent to be negotiating off of but TSN’s Darren Dreger relays (Twitter link) that Kylington’s camp is hoping for a two-year deal with a small increase off his $2.5MM AAV from the last two years.

Contending teams might be looking for more certainty when it comes to distributing their largely limited free agent dollars around.  However, teams with more flexibility might be intrigued by the potential upside if they feel Kylington can get back to the level he was at back in 2021-22.  If a few of those feel that way, he might be able to get the type of commitment he’s looking for.

Flames Exploring Trade Market For Nazem Kadri

at CDT | by 12 Comments

The Flames are already in seller mode this offseason, dealing winger Andrew Mangiapane for a Capitals for a second-round pick last night. It doesn’t look like they’re done, either. According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, they’re exploring the trade market for top-six center Nazem Kadri.

Pagnotta stresses that nothing is imminent regarding a potential deal, and Kadri would have complete control of whether he goes or stays with his no-move clause, which remains in effect for two more seasons. However, it indicates that general manager Craig Conroy is in teardown mode after Calgary missed the playoffs for the second straight year.

Things haven’t worked out for the Flames over the first two years of Kadri’s seven-year, $49MM deal signed in free agency in 2022. He was signed to help replenish Calgary’s top-end forward group after they lost Johnny Gaudreau to the Blue Jackets and dealt Matthew Tkachuk to the Panthers in exchange for Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar.

But unlike Huberdeau, trading Kadri wouldn’t necessarily be admitting failure with his contract. He had a trying season in his first year in Alberta, limited to 56 points in 82 games after posting a career-high 89 in 71 while winning a Stanley Cup with the Avalanche the year before. But he rebounded nicely this season, leading the team in points by a wide margin and averaging 18:26 per game, second-most in his career, only behind his career year in Colorado.

His complete stat line of 29 goals and 46 assists with an even rating is appropriate for his $7MM cap hit, although Conroy may have a tough time convincing the 33-year-old can maintain that value for the five seasons remaining on his contract. He’s also played all 164 games in his Flames tenure, staying out of injury and suspension trouble. The latter has plagued him at inopportune times, including back-to-back playoff series with the Maple Leafs in 2018 and 2019.

As a 6’0″ center with some snarl in his game, he should have some suitors on the trade market, even considering his contract. His deal is similarly palatable to the one Elias Lindholm, the top center option on this year’s UFA market, will likely receive, and he’s coming off a highly superior platform season offensively.

Thanks to his aforementioned no-move clause, he does have complete control over his destiny, but with the Flames trending in the wrong direction, it’s feasible that he’d waive it to join a team closer to playoff contention. Even if he sticks around for now, Calgary can trade him later when his NMC downgrades to a 13-team no-trade list in the summer of 2026.

Capitals Acquire Andrew Mangiapane

at CDT | by 12 Comments

After adding Pierre-Luc Dubois to shore up their center depth, the Capitals have struck a deal to add an upgrade on the wing.  The team announced that they’ve acquired Andrew Mangiapane from the Flames in exchange for Colorado’s 2025 second-round pick (previously acquired).

The 28-year-old had a breakout year in 2021-22, scoring 35 goals after putting up 35 in the previous two seasons combined.  Hoping that this was a sign of things to come, Calgary inked Mangiapane to a three-year, $17.4MM contract, buying out his final RFA year plus two more years of club control.

However, Mangiapane hasn’t quite been able to replicate his output from that season.  In 2022-23, his output dipped to 17 goals and 26 assists while this season, it went down a bit more as he noted 14 goals and 26 helpers although it’s worth noting that he missed seven games due to injury.

With Calgary committing to a rebuild after being sellers during the season along with moving starting goaltender Jacob Markstrom to New Jersey earlier this month, it makes sense that they were looking to move Mangiapane.  They now have two first-round picks and two second-round selections in the 2025 draft while they now sit with just under $29MM in cap room, per CapFriendly.  That positions them to be aggressive in free agency or on the trade front if they so desire as only four teams have more space to work with.

Meanwhile, Washington, who is picking up his full salary, was one of the lowest-scoring teams in the league this season and only had three players put up more points than Mangiapane did with the Flames, center Dylan Strome, winger Alex Ovechkin, and defenseman John Carlson.  Clearly, GM Brian MacLellan correctly identified that if the Capitals are going to take a step forward and try to push for a top-three spot in the Metropolitan Division, improvements offensively are going to be needed.  An expected late second-round pick is a reasonably low enough cost to pay for a short-term upgrade.

With taking on additional salary in the Dubois trade and now adding nearly $6MM with Mangiapane, the Capitals are now technically over next season’s salary cap with just over $90MM in commitments, per CapFriendly.  However, with Nicklas Backstrom and his $9.2MM AAV expected to remain on LTIR next season, Washington still has some flexibility to work with although some of that will be needed to re-sign RFA forwards Connor McMichael and Beck Malenstyn at a minimum.  T.J. Oshie’s availability for next season is also in some question and if it’s determined that he won’t be able to play, Washington would be able to add another $5.75MM to its LTIR pool.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Daniel Vladar (Hip Surgery) Will Be Ready For Training Camp

at CDT | by 2 Comments

  • Flames goaltender Daniel Vladar is expected to be ready for training camp after undergoing hip surgery back in March, relays team reporter Ryan Dittrick. The 26-year-old struggled this season, posting a 3.62 GAA with a save percentage of just .882 in 20 appearances.  However, he’s now the veteran netminder on Calgary’s roster as it’s expected that he’ll team up with top prospect Dustin Wolf as their tandem for next season following the trade that saw Jacob Markstrom go to New Jersey today.

Calgary Flames, Oliver Kylington Still Working Towards Extension

at CDT | by 1 Comment

  • Speaking to the media today after sending goaltender Jacob Markstrom to the New Jersey Devils, the General Manager of the Calgary Flames, Craig Conroy, spoke briefly about the ongoing extension negotiations with defenseman Oliver Kylington. Danny Austin of the Calgary Sun quoted Conroy saying, “We’ve been in contact and going back-and-forth. There’s been a lot of stuff going on but I actually talked to Oliver the other day. Things are progressing. I know everyone wants things quicker, but sometimes it just takes a little time“. After acquiring defenseman Kevin Bahl in the deal for Markstrom, the Flames may not have enough room for Kylington even if there is mutual interest in an extension unless another move is made.

    [SOURCE LINK]

Pro Hockey Rumors is not affiliated with National Hockey League, NHL or NHL.com

scroll to top