The Flames have moves to make this summer.

Flames trade rumors and other offseason moves before NHL Free Agency weighing on Calgary this summer.

The Calgary Flames have a ton of decisions to make this offseason. Calgary hoped to contend for the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, but that quickly derailed. At the NHL Trade Deadline, they sold some of their better players. Noah Hanifin, Chris Tanev, and Elias Lindholm are a few of the names that left the Flames this year.

With NHL Free Agency less than a month away, offseason action should pick up soon. Teams such as Calgary will do everything in their power to bolster their roster for the season ahead. Things could certainly get intense with all of the activity between now and July 1.

The Flames have major decisions to make of their own. General manager Craig Conroy certainly won’t have an easy summer this year. With this in mind, here are two moves Calgary must make either through trade or in NHL Free Agency.

Flames must trade Jacob Markstrom

Calgary Flames goalie Jacob Markstrom (25) watches Vancouver Canucks forward Conor Garland (8) handle the puck in the third period at Rogers Arena. Canucks won 4 -1.Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
One of the most important decisions the Flames need to make regards goalie Jacob Markstrom. Markstrom had a bounce-back season in 2023-24. The veteran goalie recorded a .905 save percentage this past season after an abysmal .892 mark in 2022-23.

Markstrom was sought after by other teams around the NHL Trade Deadline. However, a move failed to materialize. The veteran goalie remained in Calgary for the remainder of the season. But all that did was kick the metaphorical can down the road.

There’s certainly an argument to be made that Calgary should have traded Markstrom at the deadline. While it’s understandable why they waited, that may have been the best moment to strike. Now, there are more options available for teams to choose from. Some of those options are better than Markstrom, as well.

Calgary has to trade their veteran goaltender this summer. He has two seasons left on his current contract. But Markstrom was left frustrated by a lack of a trade during the season. The Flames cannot afford to carry this saga out too much longer. Now is the opportunity for them to get a haul and allow Dustin Wolf to play in the NHL on a regular basis.

Flames need to reshape blueline

Calgary’s defense may not be the most pressing issue this summer. However, it is still something the team should address. Along with Hanifin and Tanev, Nikita Zadorov left the franchise via trade in 2023-24. That makes half of their regular defensive core who no longer wear a Flames sweater.

They certainly have good defensemen. Rasmus Andersson has long been an underrated rearguard in the NHL. And MacKenzie Weegar is coming off a career year in which he scored 20 goals. Additionally, Danill Miromanov looked good after joining Calgary from the Vegas Golden Knights in the Noah Hanifin trade.

Beyond those three, there is something to be desired. Dennis Gilbert, Oliver Kylington, and Jordan Oesterle all need new contracts. Calgary’s depth options already under contract include Joel Hanley, Nikita Okhotyuk, and Brayden Pachal. There’s certainly room to improve upon this group.

The Flames could shoot big and go after a big name such as Florida Panthers defenseman Brandon Montour. They could target depth options such as Tyler Myers or Dylan DeMelo. Perhaps they take a chance on a player needing a new start such as Detroit Red Wings rearguard Justin Holl.

In any event, the Flames need to improve their defense in any way they can. Especially if they trade Markstrom this summer. An improved defense will make life easier for Wolf as he transitions from the AHL to the NHL full-time.