The Calgary Flames have spent the early part of this offseason trying to get their house in order, and under Craig Conroy they’ve already taken a solid swing at building up a prospect pool that’s now considered one of the best in the National Hockey League.
That doesn’t mean the work is done. With free agency opening on July 1st, Calgary has been mentioned in a handful of possible trades and signings, even if Conroy has made it clear the team won’t be doing a whole lot. One of the names now floating around is Patrik Laine, a player who could give the Flames some much-needed scoring if they decide to make a run at him.
Insider David Pagnotta added Calgary to the list of teams that may be in on the UFA winger.
In addition to LA and TB, I believe that Calgary and Minnesota are among the teams also considering pursuing UFA sniper Patrik Laine.
- David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) July 1, 2026
On paper, the fit isn’t exactly clean. Calgary already has a crowded forward group, which makes a move for Laine harder to picture unless the team opens up room by moving out players such as Blake Coleman, Connor Zary and Yegor Sharangovich.
Still, there’s a path here if the Flames want to take a short-term bet. Laine is coming off a season in which he scored just 1 goal in 5 games with the Montreal Canadiens, but he had 20 goals in 52 games the year before. At 28 years old, he’s young enough that Calgary could try a one-year deal, see if his value rebounds, and then flip him for a future draft pick at the trade deadline.
For now, though, the roadblock is obvious: the Flames already have 15 forwards penciled in for next season. So while Laine is at least being discussed, the chances of a deal coming together still look pretty slim.
In Other News...
Former Flames Forward Dillon Dube Just Took An Unexpected NHL Step
Dillon Dubes return to the NHL keeps taking shape after a season spent with Springfield in the AHL, where the former Flames forward worked to rebuild his game and his standing in pro hockey. The 27-year-old has already logged time with Calgary and overseas with Dinamo Minsk, so this latest move is another notable turn for a player whose career path has been anything but ordinary.
For Calgary fans, Dubes name still carries some familiarity because of what he once was in a Flames sweater and the promise he showed earlier in his career. Now he gets a fresh chance on a one-year, one-way deal worth $850,000, a reminder that there is still a market for him at the highest level as he tries to establish where he fits next. [Read more 🡒]
Flames Development Camp Roster Just Raised Excitement And One Concern
The Flames 2026 development camp roster is in, and it gives a clearer look at the organizations next wave. Calgary is bringing in a smaller group than it has in past years, with the focus narrowed to its own prospects across forwards, defensemen and goalies, plus a few players slated for the 2025-26 season in different leagues. It is the kind of list that usually gets attention for both who is on it and who is still climbing toward it, especially with the camp built around drafted and undrafted talent the front office wants to evaluate up close.
Among the names drawing the most interest are the clubs top 2026 picks, including Carson Carels, Jack Hextall, Chase Harrington and Tobias Trejbal. There is also a local wrinkle in Kent Anderson, a Calgary product who will be with the AHL Wranglers next season, adding a little extra hometown flavor to the group. The one concern in the announcement is the absence of an injured player from on-ice sessions, a reminder that even a prospect camp can be shaped by health before anyone has a chance to make an impression. [Read more 🡒]
Flames Just Added More Competition Than Fans Might Expect
The Flames added a batch of familiar depth on two-way NHL contracts, bringing in Ben Jones, Jake Livingstone, Mike Benning and Andreas Englund as the organization continues to stock up around the edges of the roster. Jones is the most recognizable name for Calgary fans, since he is back in the system after stops with Minnesota and Iowa, while Livingstone and Benning are both getting one-year looks after recent NHL and AHL experience.
Englund gives the group a different kind of resume as a veteran with 200 NHL games behind him, and the mix suggests Calgary is trying to create real competition at multiple levels heading into camp. The interesting part now is how these additions sort themselves out once the lineup battles begin, especially with several players arriving on deals that keep the door open for both the NHL club and the farm team. [Read more 🡒]