Sources: Flames willing to trade (almost) anyone on roster this summer

Calgary Flames GM Craig Conroy did not waste time this regular season before starting to stockpile assets via trade. Moving out defensemen Rasmus Andersson and MacKenzie Weegar to the Vegas Golden Knights and Utah Mammoth, respectively, and center Nazem Kadri to the Colorado Avalanche, the Flames added two additional first-round picks (one of them conditional) and five second-round picks (two of them conditional) over the next three seasons to their asset cupboard. Overall, the Flames will pick twice in the first round in each of the next three seasons, along with four times in the second round and twice in the third round this summer, per puck pedia. 

Speaking with team sources earlier in the week, DFO was told that the Flames will be entertaining a similar thought process this summer and are willing to trade just about anyone on their roster. According to sources, the Flames are “open to (move) any guys other than (goaltender) Dustin Wolf, (forwards) Matvei Gridin and Matt Coronato and defenseman Zayne Parekh.’’

Among the players most likely on the move, forward Blake Coleman is an obvious name that should be kept on our radars. Coleman, 34, was at the heart of trade speculation leading up to the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline; he has one year remaining on his contract and carries an AAV of $4.9 million along with a 10-team approved trade list. The player holds all the cards, with the ability to veto more than two thirds of the teams across the league. But given his Stanley Cup pedigree and style of play, he will be an attractive name for contenders looking to round out their depth. 

Yegor Sharangovich has yet to replicate his 59-point inaugural campaign in Calgary three seasons ago and could be someone Conroy would, ideally, like off the books. The soon to be 28-year-old former New Jersey Devils draft pick logged just 29 points in 78 games this season, landing him on the fourth line to finish the campaign. The problem with Sharangovich is his contract, which carries an AAV of $5.75 million until 2030 and includes a 10 team no trade list. The cap is set to skyrocket, and the free agent class is as shallow as it gets, so there may be a team looking to bite on Sharangovich’s potential to rebound – but the Flames likely won’t get much back for him. 

Morgan Frost was acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers midway through the 2024-25 season and has been a mainstay at center for Calgary in their middle six. Frost, 27, recorded a career high 22 goals this season along with 43 points. He is a valuable player for the Flames, but with the entire league on a perpetual hunt for help at center, he could be a valuable trade chip for Conroy. Frost also has an attractive contract with little commitment involved, signed until 2027 at a $4.375 million AAV; he has an eight-team no-trade list that kicks in next season. 

One team that could make sense for Frost is his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs, who are in desperate need of help down the middle beyond Auston Matthews and John Tavares. With Brad Treliving no longer in the GM chair, perhaps the Leafs and Flames will be open to making trades again. 

Connor Zary held out on his contract until late September last season, ultimately signing a three-year, $11.3-million deal. There had been noise about unhappiness in the relationship, from both the player and the team, specifically centered around the player playing on the wing versus at center, DFO was told throughout the season from more than one source. Zary’s disappointing 27-point season could make him a trade candidate for Conroy, and Zary and would surely be an intriguing piece for a team looking to take a flyer on a young talent in need of a change of scenery. If he’s moved, the Montreal Canadiens seem like the type of team that would explore this option, much like they have done with Alex Newhook, Kirby Dach and Zachary Bolduc in the past. 

Joel Farabee was acquired along with Frost 16 months ago and has been used up and down the lineup. Though versatility is arguably Farabee’s biggest asset, it is also one that makes it hard for teams and coaches to factor him into the lineup, sources from other teams have told DFO. The 26-year-old has two years remaining on his contract at a $5-million AAV – along with zero trade protection. Farabee could be an attractive asset for another team looking for middle-six help, but much like Sharangovich, will likely not garner that much in the way of a return for the Flames. The Tampa Bay Lightning seem like the type of team that could use a versatile Farabee-type player as they try to get younger in their middle six.  

There is the obvious name of Jonathan Huberdeau as someone the Flames would ideally like to move off of, but if we’re being realistic, there is little chance of that happening. Center Ryan Strome and defenseman Zach Whitecloud are definitely options that Conroy could dangle on the trade block, but they may be more valuable to the Flames as veteran pieces rather than fetching whatever they are worth on the trade front. 

The Flames have stockpiled assets during their rebuild to this point, and they remain in seller mode entering the summer. The question now is how much further will Conroy and his staff trim his roster down before invariably looking to build it back up – and it may be dependent on what other teams are looking to pay up for.

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