The Calgary Flames have made their intentions pretty clear: they want a young centre who can grow with the group. That need stands out even more when you look at where their depth chart is headed for the 2026-27 season, with Morgan Frost, Mikael Backlund, Ryan Strome, and Martin Pospisil forming the current center mix. For a team trying to move out of rebuild mode and toward contention, that’s not the kind of group that inspires much confidence.
Calgary has already taken a swing at solving the problem through the draft. At the 2025 draft, the Flames used first-round picks on two centres, Cole Reschny and Cullen Potter.
Both are viewed as promising pieces, but neither is ready to step into the NHL and drive results right now. That leaves the Flames still searching for a player who can actually shift the middle of the ice sooner rather than later.
Kirby Dach may be that option.
The Montreal Canadiens center has seen his stock slip after struggling to carve out a steady role over the past two seasons. He has dropped down the Canadiens’ depth chart, and it sounds like his future in Montreal could be nearing its end.
Even with that downturn, Dach still carries plenty of appeal. He was the No. 3 pick in 2019, stands 6-foot-4 and 221 pounds, and still looks like a player whose best hockey could be ahead of him if the right team gives him room to breathe.
That’s where Calgary comes in. NHL insider Frank Seravalli said the Flames have kept close watch on Dach’s situation, and the interest has apparently been active since training camps opened.
“Sources say Edmonton and Calgary have kept close tabs on Kirby Dach’s status as Montreal holds firm on its asking price. There have been rumblings that the Flames followed up since training camps opened.”
Seravalli also noted that more than one team had reportedly offered Montreal a second-round pick for Dach, but the Canadiens didn’t bite. Calgary, though, has more flexibility than most clubs trying to get in the mix.
General manager Craig Conroy has stocked the Flames with draft capital. Calgary owns six second-round picks over the next three drafts, along with five picks in the first three rounds of the 2027 draft.
With that kind of inventory, the Flames have room to make a move, especially since some of those selections are likely to be used in trades anyway. A package built around a 2027 second- and third-round pick, or even a prospect paired with that 2027 second, could be enough to get Montreal’s attention.
From Calgary’s side, this is the kind of risk that makes sense. Dach has been slowed by injuries, but he’s still only 25 and already has 306 career games under his belt.
That’s a lot more NHL experience than a future second-round pick is likely to bring. Even if the move doesn’t fully work out, it’s the sort of trade that probably wouldn’t come back to haunt the Flames.
If Conroy believes Dach can get back to the level that made him a third-overall pick, the upside is obvious. Calgary would add another young player who could develop alongside the rest of the core, and that’s exactly the kind of bet this team may need to make.
In Other News...
Flames Opening Night Roster Sends A Clear Message About Priorities
The Calgary Flames have set their 23-man roster for the 2026-27 season and, in doing so, made their opening-night priorities pretty plain. With their opener against the Seattle Kraken on deck, the group leans on familiarity at the back end and stability in goal, as Dustin Wolf is set to start with Devin Cooley backing him up.
Jonathan Huberdeaus absence at the start of the year leaves a noticeable opening in the lineup, and Brennan Othmann is the one stepping into that spot for now. The Flames also opted to keep eight defensemen, a choice that underscores how much they value depth on the blue line, with veterans Joel Hanley and Brayden Pachal among the skaters who made the cut. [Read more 🡒]
Flames Rebuild Suddenly Looks Bigger Than Just The Roster
The Calgary Flames rebuild has already been framed as a long game on the ice, with general manager Craig Conroy leaning into a young roster that is still searching for the kind of elite talent that can speed up the process. Industry projections suggest the 2026/27 season could still be a difficult one for the club, but the bigger-picture story in Calgary is starting to stretch beyond wins and losses.
Sporticos latest franchise valuations hint at why: the Flames have become a more valuable asset even while the roster is being reshaped, with the organizations place in the league climbing alongside the anticipation around ScotiaPlace. The new arena is expected before the 2027/28 season, and its arrival should matter not only for the teams long-term business outlook but for the city as a whole, making this rebuild feel as much about infrastructure and market growth as hockey. [Read more 🡒]
Flames Rebuild Just Opened A Salary Cap Opportunity Fans Should Watch
The offseason around the Flames was quieter than most, and that was by design. Under general manager Craig Conroy, Calgary largely stayed out of the splashy free-agent market and instead kept its focus on the rebuild, giving young players room to grow while preserving one of the leagues more flexible financial pictures.
That flexibility is the part worth watching as the season unfolds. The Flames have plenty of room to maneuver if the right trade or signing comes along, and Conroy has already shown he is willing to use that space to lock up younger pieces for the long term. For a team trying to build patiently, cap room is more than just a number right now, it is one of the few advantages Calgary can carry into the next phase. [Read more 🡒]