One free agent every NHL team should sign this offseason

By C.L. Kohuss | May 22, 2018

NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 18: Patrick Maroon #17 of the New Jersey Devils heads out to play against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Prudential Center on April 18, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

5 of 31

BOSTON, MA – APRIL 21: Riley Nash #20 of the Boston Bruins skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round in the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the TD Garden on April 21, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Riley Nash /

Calgary Flames: Riley Nash, Center

The Calgary Flames fell out of playoff contention near the end of the season because they couldn’t find a way to score goals. The Flames only scored 34 times in the months of March and April, which was 17 games worth of pure yuck for a team that had been vying to make the postseason early on. They ended up with the fifth fewest goals for, and with 10 pending free agents, six of whom are unrestricted, they don’t have a lot of room to maneuver.

They could let a few walk, sure. Five defenseman are locked in through at least 2020. It’s unlikely the Flames go that route. Especially having only $18 million with which to work. They also need to find a quality backup for 36-year-old goaltender Mike Smith. Calgary could go the easy way and stick with prospect David Rittich which makes more sense since Smith is still big on the books through next year.

Nash probably isn’t going to give Calgary 30 goals or 60 or 70 points, but surrounded by talent in Boston, he thrived with 15 scores and 26 assists with a plus/minus of plus-16. He would be coming to a Flames team that can offer their own group of young and skilled forwards in Johnny Gaudreau, Matthew Tkachuk and Sean Monahan.

This move won’t make them instant contenders, but it’s a good option for depth that will certainly make Calgary better. The price tag won’t break them either. He’s likely to get somewhere around $3 million to $4 million a season. That leaves plenty of room to make more moves along the roster and to add bargain pieces as needed.

Home/NHL Free Agency