Calgary Flames reshape defense in offseason overhaul

The Calgary Flames entered the offseason focused on rebuilding their blueline. Key acquisitions include defenseman Simon Nemec, obtained from the New Jersey Devils in a trade that also sent Maxim Tsyplakov to Calgary; Nemec signed a five‑year, $36.25 million extension. Veteran Jacob Middleton arrived via the Blake Coleman trade, while Mike Benning, Andreas Englund and Ben Jones were added to bolster depth. The team also retained and promoted young defensemen such as Kevin Bahl, Zach Whitecloud and Zayne Parekh, with prospects like Carson Carels expected to develop in coming years.

The Flames also saw significant departures, most notably forward Blake Coleman, along with several depth players. The roster changes reflect Calgary’s push to improve after missing the playoffs since the 2021‑22 season and to position themselves for a strong draft class and future contention.