The Calgary Flames are shaping up to be one of the most active teams ahead of this year’s NHL Trade Deadline, and the movement may be far from over. With defenseman Rasmus Andersson already headed to the Vegas Golden Knights and names like Nazem Kadri and Blake Coleman swirling in trade rumors, GM Craig Conroy is clearly open for business. But beyond the marquee names, there’s another player who could quietly draw interest from contenders - Ryan Lomberg.
Lomberg isn’t a household name, but he’s the kind of player playoff teams love to have in their back pocket. After hoisting the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers in 2024, Lomberg chose to cash in on his rising stock. Rather than chase another ring as Florida’s 13th forward, he signed a two-year, $4 million deal with Calgary - a move that gave him more ice time and the Flames a gritty, playoff-tested presence on their fourth line.
In his first season with the Flames, Lomberg suited up for 80 games. This year, he’s on pace for another near-full campaign, likely finishing around the 78-game mark.
The offensive production hasn’t been eye-catching - just 20 points in 126 games - but that’s never been the selling point with Lomberg. His value lies in his energy, his edge, and his ability to agitate opponents in limited minutes.
He’s the kind of guy who plays under 10 minutes a night but makes every second count - throwing hits, drawing penalties, and setting a physical tone.
But here’s the thing: when a team is in the middle of back-to-back disappointing seasons, those intangibles start to lose their shine. It’s hard to justify a roster spot for a fourth-liner built for playoff chaos when the playoffs are slipping further out of reach. That’s where the trade deadline comes in - and where Lomberg’s value could spike again.
Contending teams know what Lomberg brings. He’s a proven depth piece who’s been through the grind of a Cup run and knows his role. And in a deadline market where even fringe forwards can fetch draft picks - like when the Bruins landed a fourth-rounder from the Ducks for Jeffrey Viel, a player who’s spent more time in the press box than on the ice - there’s a real case to be made for flipping Lomberg now.
If Calgary can snag a mid-round draft pick for him, it’s a move that makes sense on multiple levels. It clears a spot for younger talent, adds to the asset pool, and doesn’t burn any bridges. With Lomberg’s contract set to expire at season’s end, there’s always the possibility of a reunion in the summer if both sides still see a fit.
Right now, the Flames are in retool mode - not a full rebuild, but certainly not standing pat. Trading a player like Lomberg won’t shake the foundations of the franchise, but it’s the kind of smart, forward-thinking move that can help reshape the bottom of the roster and build toward something more sustainable. For a team trying to find its identity again, that’s a step worth taking.