Calgary Flames Going 'Big Game Hunting' This Offseason, per Insider

The Calgary Flames had an unexpectedly strong season, challenging for a playoff spot right down to the wire. Their supposed 'rebuild' has immediately transformed into a 'we're ready to contend' build. And according to insider Marco D'Amico of Daily Faceoff, they're ready to push the envelope this summer, and bolster their lineup in a big way.

Speaking with a source close to the situation in Calgary... the plan is not to acquire just any name; if the Flames are to make an outside addition, it will be a top UFA or trade target. Based on conversations I’ve had with those inside the organization, the Flames plan to go “big game hunting” in Free Agency.

And they'll have the money to do it, with a projected $18 million in cap space after they've taken care of their own restricted free agents.

D'Amico says that their main objective is to bring in an "impact scorer". Does that mean they really go big and try for No. 1 pending UFA Mitch Marner if he makes it to the market on July 1st? Will they be happy with the next tier of scorer like Brock Boeser? Maybe a Nikolaj Ehlers?

The forward they target can be at any of the three spots up front, but must be able to help at both even strength and on the power play. The Flames finished 29th in the NHL in scoring, at just 2.68 goals per game this season.

The aforementioned RFAs that need to be addressed include Kevin Bahl, Morgan Frost and Connor Zary. Bahl and Zary are projected to land bridge deals just north of the $3M AAV mark, while Frost's number is more uncertain. He had a disappointing run with the Flames after they acquired him from the Philadelphia Flyers, scoring just three goals and 12 points in 32 games.