FLAMES FREE AGENCY PREVIEW: Who could Conroy target on Canada Day?

National Post

16 hours ago

With the 2025 NHL Draft now in the rearview mirror, attention will immediately turn to the annual free-agent frenzy.
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While the Calgary Flames have gobs of salary-cap space, we don't expect them to be especially busy on Canada Day. They still have some more retooling to do before Craig Conroy is likely to be reeling in any big fish.
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With Dan Vladar set to test the market, Conroy is certainly shopping for a backup goaltender. His wish-list should also include a left-shot defenceman and perhaps a right-shot forward.
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Postmedia Calgary's beat writers, Danny Austin and Wes Gilbertson, scanned the list of 100-and-some unrestricted free agents to offer up eight potential targets for the Flames …
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Ryan Lindgren, D
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Age: 27
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Current cap-hit: US$4.5 million
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Why I'm intrigued: Lindgren, who spent parts of seven seasons in the Big Apple before being traded to Colorado in March, would address Calgary's need for another steady, dependable presence on the left side of their defence crew. The reason that he'd be my top target is that during his run with the Rangers, Lindgren played the vast majority of his minutes alongside Adam Fox. Since that was such a nice fit, could he be the ideal complement to help guide Zayne Parekh — like Fox, an offensive whiz — through his transition to the NHL? Lindgren, who is also an effective penalty-killer, should have several suitors so some term will be required.
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Current cap-hit: US$1.6 million
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Standout stat: Suter put up 46 points last season. Only four Flames players had more
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Why I'm intrigued: This largely comes down to the Flames not having a tonne of centres, but with the Pacific Division looking like it's going to get more competitive next year, why not weaken a rival? Suter isn't going to come in and be a star who transforms the Flames, but he's a legitimate centre who could give you cover if Mikael Backlund moves on after the final season of his contract or you look to trade Nazem Kadri. He'd be an affordable option and the Flames aren't at the point in their retool process where they should be looking to spend big.
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Current employer: Carolina Hurricanes