Calgary Flames Land Superstar Mitch Marner in Blockbuster Free Agency Deal
Calgary, AB – May 18, 2025
The Calgary Flames have officially landed the superstar they’ve long been searching for.
In a massive free agency coup that has sent shockwaves across the NHL, the Flames have confirmed the signing of Mitch Marner, one of the league’s elite forwards, to a seven-year, $84 million deal ($12 million AAV). The move, finalized just hours after the free agency window opened, immediately transforms Calgary’s offensive outlook and signals a bold new era for the franchise.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Mitch to Calgary,” Flames general manager Craig Conroy said in a press release this morning. “He’s an elite talent, a dynamic playmaker, and exactly the kind of player who can elevate the entire roster. This is a statement about where we’re headed as an organization.”
A Long-Awaited Superstar
For years, Flames fans have been clamoring for a true superstar presence. With Jonathan Huberdeau still struggling to recapture his Hart Trophy-calibre form and Nazem Kadri providing strong leadership without quite breaching superstar territory, Calgary has lacked a definitive game-changer at forward.
That changes now.
Marner, 28, is coming off another spectacular season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, tallying 102 points in 81 games while averaging over 21 minutes of ice time per night. He added 12 points in 11 playoff games, showing he’s more than capable under postseason pressure.
Multiple reports suggested Marner was seeking a fresh start following the Maple Leafs’ latest early playoff exit. Chris Johnston of The Athletic had indicated weeks ago that “there is a growing sense that Marner would like a fresh start with a different team next season.”
Calgary pounced—and landed their man.
Rekindling Chemistry
One major draw for Marner was a reunion with former Leafs teammate Nazem Kadri. The two formed a strong bond during their years together in Toronto and are expected to anchor a new-look top line alongside Huberdeau.
“Mitch is one of the best I’ve ever played with,” Kadri said in a brief statement. “He makes everyone around him better. We’re going to do something special here.”
A line featuring Kadri, Marner, and Huberdeau gives the Flames a legitimate top-tier threat to rival any in the league, combining elite vision, playmaking, and physicality.
Cap Flexibility Enabled the Deal
The Flames entered the offseason with roughly $17 million in cap space, a figure that didn’t include the additional room created by several contracts coming off the books. With the NHL’s salary cap rising for the 2025–26 season, Calgary had the resources—and the urgency—to make a splash.
The Marner deal marks one of the most aggressive moves in recent Flames history and reflects a clear ambition to return to playoff contention.
What’s Next?
With Marner now on board, attention turns to how Conroy and head coach Ryan Huska will shape the rest of the roster. But for now, the Flames have sent a message to the league: Calgary is no longer a team stuck in transition.
They’ve got their Superstar. Now the chase for the Cup begins.
