2025 NHL Trade Deadline Odds and Rumours: Flames expected to be cautious buyers

GM Craig Conroy is a former player, so he knows he owes it to his team to not be a seller and get them some help. Still, Conroy isn’t going to risk the future for a run this year.

You can expect Calgary to be a cautious buyer at the deadline this year.

2025 NHL Trade Deadline Tracker: Latest moves, updates and rumours

Targets

The Flames sit dead last in the NHL in scoring this season, so adding goal scorers is the most important upgrade. That’s easier said than done, however, so it could be a project for the off-season.

Dylan Cozens would be an ideal fit. He only has 11 goals this year on a bad Buffalo team, but he scored 31 two years ago and he looks like a prime candidate to be the next Sabres player to leave and become a star somewehre else.

Calgary partially addressed their holes up the middle of the ice by trading for Morgan Frost last month, but they still need a right-shot centre to bolster the depth. Luke Kunin from San Jose is a great fit. He’ll be a UFA in the summer, so even if the Flames can’t agree to a deal with the Sharks, they can circle back in July.

The team is also targeting a left-shot defenceman to play alongside MacKenzie Weeger on the second pairing. Another Buffalo player who could benefit from a change of scenery is Bowen Byram. He won a Stanley Cup with Nazem Kadri three years ago, but the 23-year-old RFA will be expensive.

Dan Vladar

With the emergence of Dustin Wolf as the undisputed franchise goalie in Calgary, Dan Vladar has become expendable and is the biggest trade chip the Flames have on the roster. Vladar is a veteran backup who can provide depth to an organization. We’ve already seen a bit of a goaltending carousel around the league, so Vladar’s name has likely come up in conversations.