3 Best Value Calgary Flames Contracts Going Into 2026-27 – Hockey Writers – Calgary Flames

From a salary cap perspective, few teams are in better shape than the Calgary Flames. The young, rebuilding organization has about $15 million in available cap space, and is not expected to use that again just yet. Instead, they are looking to give young players a chance to prove themselves at the NHL level.

Despite having so much cap space, the Flames still have some bad contracts on the books, though that’s not their biggest concern at this point. The good news, however, is that they have several trade deals, a few of which they could look to trade to accumulate more draft picks and prospects. With that said, here are the three best contracts the Flames have for the 2026-27 season.

1. Zach Whitecloud ($2.75 million through 2027-28)

Flames fans weren’t sure what they were getting from Zach Whitecloud when he arrived from the Vegas Golden Knights, but it quickly became clear that his contributions far exceeded his $2.75 million cap hit. The 29-year-old has been a good fit for the Flames, registering 10 assists in 31 games and averaging 23 minutes of ice time.

Whitecloud has quickly proven that he is more than capable of handling a top four role with the Flames, making his current deal a hefty sum. The management could get a big deal for him in a trade, but right now it seems they are more comfortable keeping him on the roster as a good veteran.

2. Morgan Frost ($4.375 million through 2026-27)

Morgan Frost wouldn’t be the starting center on most NHL teams, but given the Flames’ lack of a center, he appears to be in line for that role this coming season. That alone makes his $4.375 million cap hit a solid contract for the Flames.

Frost, who had 22 goals and 43 points last season, should be in line for more production in 2026-27. The Flames will certainly hope so, as the pending free agent (UFA) could be an excellent trade chip heading into next year’s trade deadline. Instead, the Flames may look to sign him to an extension given how weak they are at the position.

3. Dustin Wolf ($7.5 million through 2032-33)

After a spectacular rookie season, the Flames were able to sign Dustin Wolf to a seven-year, $52.5 million extension. It was a huge contract given his lack of experience at the NHL level, but his dominance at every level he played in felt like a safe bet.

Wolff’s game dipped in 2025-26, but that was a reflection of the team ahead of him. Still, it’s the first time in his career that he hasn’t posted flashy numbers, which will no doubt spark a fire for him this coming season. The 25-year-old has what it takes to be one of the league’s best at his position, making the $7.5 million cap hit look like a pretty good deal if he reaches that level.

All Three Will Have Big Roles Next Season

While it could be a tough 2026-27 season overall, there is a big chance for the above three players to establish themselves as the NHL’s most important players. Wolff was able to do that in his rookie season, and Frost has so far been considered a consistent middle-six forward. Whitecloud, on the other hand, has spent most of his career as a third baseman.

Wolff’s role will not change much this season, as he is still expected to start playing in many games, which gives him a good opportunity to wake up and show the world how good he is. As for Frost and Whitecloud, they are in for some of the biggest minutes of their careers, which will make it very exciting for Flames fans to see how they handle this challenge.