Calgary edged Seattle 2-1 in a preseason shootout, with Matvei Gridin and Morgan Frost delivering for the Flames in the tiebreaker while Dustin Wolf owned the goaltending rhythm. Seattle’s Berkly Catton opened the scoring, Gridin leveled in the second, and the goaltenders traded highlight-reel saves as Calgary claimed the win.

Philipp Grubauer stopped 18 in regulation and two in OT for Seattle, while Wolf turned away 32 in regulation, three in OT, and three of four in the shootout. Both clubs went 0-for-2 on the power play, Seattle out-hitting Calgary 40-20. Upcoming matches: Flames vs Canucks, Kraken vs Oilers, with fantasy angles peeking through the rookie and goaltending performances.

Calgary's 2025-26 forward depth is taking shape with locks anchored by Huberdeau, Kadri, Sharangovich, Coronato, Backlund, Frost, Zary and Pospisil. Coleman and Lomberg are near certainties, while Farabee faces scoring and lineup pressure. Klapka and Kerins are clear bubble players, with Honzek, Hunt, Morton and Kirkland pushing for a last slot. An Andersson trade could shuffle both forward and defense depth, making camp pivotal for early-season roles.

The lineup leans toward a possible 14F/7D if the trade lands; Zary-Frost-Coronato could form a dynamic third line, with Backlund possibly sliding to 4C. The Oilers weekend series and Wranglers prospects provide a live read on the pipeline as no veteran PTOs have been added yet, keeping Calgary flexible into training camp.

Morgan Frost has signed a two-year, $8.75 million deal with the Calgary Flames, marking a new chapter in his career after a season split between the Flames and the Philadelphia Flyers. The forward, a restricted free agent, demonstrated his potential with 37 points last season, including a notable performance after being acquired by Calgary.

Frost expressed optimism about his contributions, highlighting his belief in his untapped offensive capabilities. He acknowledged the Flames’ strong finish last season and aims to build on that momentum, particularly now that he feels more settled in the team environment. Frost's past first-round draft pedigree and his growth during training camp could position him for a breakout performance in the upcoming season.

The NHL's restricted free agency period is heating up as teams prepare to make critical decisions on their top young talents. Players like Will Cuylle of the New York Rangers, who had a solid season with 45 points, and Morgan Frost, who showed promise after being traded to Calgary, are among those expected to attract attention. Meanwhile, Kaapo Kakko's performance with the Seattle Kraken raises questions about his future in the league.

Furthermore, forwards like Matthew Knies from the Toronto Maple Leafs and Gabriel Vilardi from the Winnipeg Jets are also worth monitoring as they look to secure new contracts. The impact of these players on their teams, especially in playoff scenarios, cannot be understated, making their potential contract negotiations a focal point for fantasy managers and sports bettors alike.

The Calgary Flames are actively seeking to bolster their center depth as they prepare for the upcoming season. With Nazem Kadri and Mikael Backlund firmly positioned in their 30s, the organizational strategy may involve promoting Connor Zary, a young talent who has been playing on the wing but could transition to center. Recent discussions mentioned Morgan Frost, a pending RFA who underperformed after his acquisition from the Philadelphia Flyers. The Flames might offer him a deal based on his potential, especially considering their need for centers. Additionally, the Flames have set their sights on drafting prospects like Jack Nesbitt and Cole Reschny to enhance their center options.

In other news, the Ottawa Senators are working on retaining Claude Giroux, who is keen to stay with the team. Informal discussions have taken place regarding a potential short-term deal, possibly in the $3 to $4 million range, drawing comparisons to Joe Pavelski's contract. The Senators' focus is also on signing RFAs like Fabian Zetterlund while considering high-impact forwards via trade or free agency.