3 Flames Players Who Won’t Be Back Next Season

The Calgary Flames sold everything they needed to sell at the deadline and got a lot of draft picks and prospects. It appears as though their roster is set to have a shorter rebuild, but at the same time, the Flames are pushing for a playoff spot despite losing all of the top talent on the team. There should be a few more changes in the offseason to complement what happened ahead of this trade deadline and to help shape the future in Calgary.

Jacob Markstrom

The New Jersey Devils didn't stop showing interest in Jacob Markstom this season and he was even told that he could be traded ahead of the deadline by the Flames. While this didn't happen and Markstrom stayed to help potentially push the Flames into the playoffs, an offseason trade is not off the table. The Devils will still be pushing for Markstrom, while other teams may throw their hat in the mix as well. The offseason is an easier place to make a larger trade like this should be. Dustin Wolf is more than ready to come into the NHL and he needs a roster spot.

Jordan Oesterle

The Flames signed Jordan Oesterle in free agency this past summer to be a depth defenseman for them. As the season has progressed, he has fallen down the ladder and is now playing in the AHL. This shows what the Flames are thinking in terms of what they will do with Oesterle in the offseason, and it is very likely let him walk in free agency since there are younger options available to them as a rebuilding team.

Dennis Gilbert

Calgary is likely thinking similarly with Dennis Gilbert as he is another depth defenseman. The purpose of signing him in 2022 was the same as Oesterle this past offseason, having depth on defense. Gilbert is a UFA after the season and in year two of his two-year deal. As I mentioned with Oesterle, there are younger defensemen with more upside that will get in the lineup ahead of him and also defenders in the AHL that can be seen as depth for the NHL with another year under their belts.