NHL Free Agency: Calgary Flames are “top contender” for Alex Pietrangelo

According to Pierre LeBrun, the Calgary Flames are expected to pursue defenseman Alex Pietrangelo in NHL free agency.

After another early postseason exit, the Calgary Flames are looking to make some big changes to their roster. According to Pierre LeBrun, those changes could include signing one of the top free agent defensemen in NHL free agency. That defenseman? Alex Pietrangelo.

Not only are the Flames interested (who shouldn’t be interested in signing someone as good as Pietrangelo), but they are reportedly top contenders.

The Vegas Golden Knights and Toronto Maple Leafs were also mentioend as potential top contenders. Obviously, the St. Louis Blues can’t be ruled out, as they could re-sign him.

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Now, the Flames might have to clear some cap space in order to sign Pietrangelo. According to CapFriendly, they are $16.9 million under the $81.5 million cap ceiling. However, just 14 players are signed for next season.

The Flames have to sign several restricted free agents, including Andrew Mangiapane, Mark Jankowski, and Oliver Kylington. They also have to find replacements for Zac Rinaldo and Tobias Rieder, both of whom are UFAs. Additionally, the Flames need to add at least one more defenseman, preferably two. On top of all of that, the Flames need to either re-sign Cam Talbot or find a new goalie.

Pietrangelo is projected to get at least $8.5 million per year (likely more) on his next deal. If he signs for $8.5 million a year, this will likely have the Flames pretty darn close to the salary cap ceiling, if not over it.

However, there are some moves the Flames could do to clear some cap space. Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan have been popular names on the trade market. The Flames likely aren’t moving either unless they get blown away. They could also trade Noah Hanifin, who has a $4.95 million annual cap hit for the next four seasons.

The Flames should certainly explore signing Pietrangelo. He’d make their team a lot better. But at the same time, the Flames simply might not be able to make it happen. That said, Pietrangelo is someone worth the effort to work around your roster to sign.