By: Chris Nosek
The Flames were clearly in sell mode heading into this deadline. First, Craig Conroy identified which players will be part of the organization for years to come. This is essential for a quick rebuild. Then he had to maximize the return for players he could afford to send elsewhere. He dealt away three key players, so let’s see how he did.
Out: MacKenzie Weegar
In: Olli Matta, Jonathan Castagna, 3x 2nd Round Picks (UTAH, NYR, OTT, all in 2026)
I really want to say that Conroy should have brought in more in exchange for the 32-year-old defender. He is currently in year three of his contract and has five more after this one. He is capable of playing both sides and can skate in a top-pairing role if needed. It is quite disappointing that a 1st round pick wasn’t part of the return. Even if it wasn’t for this year’s draft, a 1st round pick should have been included. However, Weegar has a no-movement clause which would have presented additional problems. This makes the number of 2nd-round picks, all coming in this draft, a decent enough return.
Out: Nazem Kadri ($1.4 million retained per season), 4th Round Pick (2027)
In: Victor Olofsson, 1st Round Pick (2028), 2nd Round Pick (2027)
It became pretty clear that Kadri didn’t want to stick around for the rebuild. Moving him without retention would have significantly impacted the return. Olofsson being part of the return fits because he is a pending unrestricted free agent. Colorado had to send out some cap dollars for the deal to work, but Olofsson doesn’t affect Calgary’s cap long-term. Curran is a reasonably good prospect. Paired with the two draft picks, this is a reasonably good return for a 37-year-old in Kadri.
Out: Brennan Othmann
In: Jacob Battaglia
This deal doesn’t make much sense. Battaglia is a 19-year-old still playing in the OHL. Meanwhile, Othmann has been trying to crack the lineup for the New York Rangers. Calgary gave up several years of control over Battaglia for a pending restricted free agent in Othmann. This seems like the Rangers trying to find a new opportunity for one of their players. If that’s the case, Conroy should have asked for a late-round pick, even in a future draft, to help with.
Out: 7th Round Pick (2027)
In: Ryan Strome
This deal, likely similar to the Othmann acquisition, isn’t over yet. Strome didn’t fit in with the Ducks and hasn’t had a great season. He has another season on his contract. This means he has a chance to fit in with the new iteration of the Flames. At 32 years old, he’s young enough to be part of the rebuild or get moved again. His $5 million cap hit will help them maintain the salary cap floor. At the cost of a 7th-round pick a year away, this is a worthwhile deal.
Overall, Craig Conroy’s deadline was fine for the Flames. He was able to get deals over the finish line to move on from two key players. However, dealing away both MacKenzie Weegar and Nazem Kadri and receiving only one 1st-round pick is not good enough. Both players play premium positions. Conroy now has four picks in the 2nd round of this year’s draft. He must have a great draft this year to make this deadline better. He has eight picks in the first three rounds. He needs to hit on several of them to make this deadline look better with hindsight.
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