Calgary Flames Forwards Ryan Lomberg and Justin Kirkland Likely Headed to Free Agency
Calgary Flames pending unrestricted free agent forward Ryan Lomberg is anticipated to test the free agency market on July 1st. Additionally, center Justin Kirkland is also expected to become an unrestricted free agent.
John Carlson Projected for $10 Million+ Annual Salary on a Two-Year Deal
Pending unrestricted free agent John Carlson is expected to secure a contract worth $10 million or more per season for a duration of two years from an as-yet-undetermined team.
Bowen Byram’s Trade Value and Potential Future with the Buffalo Sabres Debated
Discussions are underway regarding the potential trade value of Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram and whether the team might opt to retain him, similar to their decision with Alex Tuch last season. If Byram were to be traded, his value would likely be diminished if it wasn’t a sign-and-trade scenario, as other teams would essentially be acquiring him for a single season, similar to a trade deadline rental. This would involve acquiring future assets, comparable to paying a rental price. The situation with Alex Tuch is cited as an example; while Buffalo did not intend to trade him, he could have become a rental player if he had left the team. The Sabres prioritized having Tuch available for their playoff run, believing his presence provided more value than any future assets they might have received through a trade. This same logic could apply to Byram, with the Sabres potentially deciding to keep him for the current year and see how the season unfolds, potentially making him a “Buffalo rental” rather than a rental acquired from another team.
