The Calgary Flames surprisingly added to their NHL roster ahead of the deadline.
Calgary was a seller ahead of the deadline, trading Rasmus Andersson and Mackenzie Weegar. However, before the deadline came up, the Flames acquired Ryan Strome from the Anaheim Ducks, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. In return, the Flames gave up a 2027 seventh-round pick.
The deal is an intriguing one as Strome is in the fourth year of his five-year, $25 million deal. However, Calgary takes a flyer on the former fifth overall pick to see if he can rediscover his form and be a trade candidate at next year’s trade deadline.
Strome has skated in 33 games, recording 3 goals and 6 assists for 9 points.
Flames Deal Weegar Ahead of Deadline
Calgary traded Andersson earlier this season before trading away Weegar on March 4.
The Flames acquired Weegar for Olli Maatta, forward prospect Jonathan Castagna, and three second-round picks in the 2026 NHL Draft. The Flames general manager, Craig Conroy, said he was excited to add the draft picks.
“You can use those picks to maybe move up in the draft,” Conroy said to Sportset 690, via FlamesNation. “You can use those picks to make trades for players. It gives you a lot of different opportunities. It doesn’t mean you’re going to make every pick right where they are. i do think the Ranger pick, where it is, with Ottawa being out, where the Rangers are right now, kinda where our pick is, it really gives us some great draft capital. We have to weaponize that and do the best we can.”
Conroy, meanwhile, said the team will continue to field calls ahead of the deadline as the door was open for more moves.
“We’ve got to do things with a purpose, and that we feel is going to make us better in the next few years, and that’s the key. We’re going to be taking, fielding calls and seeing where teams are at. If anything makes sense, then we’re going to really look hard at it. We have to. That’s our job.”
Calgary did end up making a move by acquiring Strome to add some veteran help.
Calgary Add Maatta
Along with Strome, the Flames also brought in Maatta, who’s a veteran leader.
Calgary is hopeful to start winning soon, so bringing in some veteran presence is helpful. Maatta was also excited to be dealt to Calgary.
“I’m excited,” said Maatta to the team’s website. “Definitely exciting. It’s never easy to be traded but looking forward to the new start there. Heard great things about the city and the team.”
Maatta has won two Stanley Cups in his career and he’s excited to play in Calgary and get the chance to help a young team.
“The more I talked to him, the more excited I got,” Maatta said. … “I think I’ll be very happy when I get there. Seems like a great spot.”
Maatta is in the first year of his three-year, $10.5 million deal. He’s skated in just 22 games this season recording 1 assist as he’s been a regular scratch for Utah.
NHL Trades: Flames Acquire $25M Forward in Curious Move