Despite being armed with more cap space than all but four other teams, Craig Conroy insists he won’t be swinging for any fences when free agency opens Monday.
With a clear commitment to getting younger, the Calgary Flames GM insists any players they pursue on the open market will be with an eye on filling in gaps over the next few years.
“I don’t think we’re going to be in the six or seven-year market,” Conroy told reporters in Vegas Saturday, after drafting 10 youngsters.
“We’re looking for high-quality individuals, maybe on shorter deals, that can come in and give us some help.
“We made some trades and brought in some young guys, but we don’t want to rush those young guys. We want to make sure they develop at the right speed and not put them in over their heads right away.
“So if we could do shorter-term deals to help the team, and kind of help our younger guys that are going to be in the lineup, that is kind of the key going into free agency for us.”
Mentors and complementary pieces will be the order of the day, as the team aims to provide a positive culture for the litany of prospects in the lineup and the system.
Expect the bulk of the team’s $29 million in cap space to remain intact even after signing a few veterans, which will almost certainly include a steady defenceman who can help show a long list of understudies how to be pros, a goaltender to play behind Dustin Wolf and Dan Vladar, and a forward who can potentially re-ignite Jonathan Huberdeau.
The Flames have not given up on trying to sign Oliver Kylington, but time is running out.
Salary cap space: $28,999,167
Roster size: 18/23
Salary committed to forwards: $40.263 million (45 per cent of cap)
Salary committed to defence: $14.662 million (16.7 per cent of cap)
Salary committed to goalies: $2.2 million (2.5 per cent of cap)
Potential UFA targets
Chris Driedger, G, 30
The former Hitmen star played third fiddle with Seattle last year, making just two NHL starts while backstopping Coachella Valley all the way to the Calder Cup final with some impressive numbers.
Before being plucked from Florida in the expansion draft, Driedger was trending brilliantly, sporting save percentages of .938 and .927 in his last two years as a Panther.
He made $3.5 million last season.
Anthony Duclair, RW, 28
With Conroy speaking openly about trying to find help for Huberdeau, the hot take in town has long been that his former linemate in Florida would be a top target.
A lefty who can play on his opposite wing, Duclair had a career-high 31 goals in 2021-22 while playing alongside Huberdeau, who had 115 points that year.
Duclair has played on eight NHL teams and would likely crave a top-line role in Calgary, but only if the Lightning aren’t interested in re-upping him after he had almost a point a game in over 17 games after being acquired at the deadline.
Brenden Dillon, D, 33
If character is what you seek, you won’t find many with more than the personable bruiser from B.C.
At 6-4 and 225 pounds, he would be a solid deterrent against opponents taking liberties with youngsters, as he’s proven throughout his career a deep desire to stand up for teammates.
Jonathan Marchessault, RW, 33
Coming off a career-high 42 goals, the right-shot winger will be in high demand.
But don’t discount the fact he is good pals with Huberdeau and the Flames would have the ability to pay more on a three or four-year deal than most other teams.
If one of the chief goals is really to help the Flames’ priciest winger find his way, Marchessault would help.
Mark Giordano, D, 40
Five years removed from his Norris Trophy season, the former Flames captain’s production and minutes were way down in Toronto, where he was a healthy scratch in the playoffs.
But for an organization looking for mentors to help shape a long list of talented young blue liners, Giordano could be an affordable alternative.
“The one thing we know is Gio is an unbelievable leader, what he’s done for the team and what he’s done here,” said Conroy when asked about a known commodity who might be interested in transitioning to the front office afterwards.
“I don’t want to put names on it, but you’re always looking to bring in quality, good people and help the organization get better and go in the right direction.”
