Five former Calgary Flames still waiting for contracts as free agency drags on

More than two weeks into the 2026 NHL free agency period, several former Calgary Flames are still hunting for contracts as marquee names like Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko grab headlines.

Cam Talbot, 39, the veteran goalie who spent time with Calgary, had a rough 2025-26 season with the Detroit Red Wings (3.19 GAA, .883 save percentage across 34 games). With limited time left in his career, Talbot hasn't announced retirement and could still land a spot with a team desperate for help between the pipes later in the summer.

Jake Bean, 28, had a forgettable stint with the Flames. He struggled in 2024-25 and was limited to just 16 games last season after undergoing surgery for an undisclosed injury in December. Though he hasn't lived up to his potential since being drafted 13th overall in 2016, Bean can still play a bottom-pairing role for depth-hungry teams.

Travis Hamonic, 35, was a solid top-four defenseman once but his role has shrunk significantly. He suited up for just 26 games with the Detroit Red Wings last season. Hamonic is chasing a milestone: he's 74 games short of 1,000 in his NHL career, which may motivate him to pursue one more contract.

Curtis Lazar, 31, spent last season with the Edmonton Oilers as a bottom-six forward and penalty-killer. While he's carved out a respectable career in a depth role with solid faceoff skills, his limited offensive production—just six points in 45 games—may make landing another deal difficult.

Derek Forbort, 34, had a brutal 2025-26 season with the Vancouver Canucks, playing just two games before undergoing season-ending hip surgery. He made clear at season-end media availability that he wants to continue his career, but whether he can return to form after significant surgery remains uncertain.