Part 1 of our offseason lookahead series examined what the Montreal Canadiens can do to keep their rebuild on the right track. Part 2 broke down what the Ottawa Senators must do to get over the hump. In Part 3, we analyze the best direction the Calgary Flames can go.

The Flames will miss the playoffs for the second straight year following a season with no shortage of distractions. Calgary entered the campaign with a rookie general manager in Craig Conroy, a rookie head coach in Ryan Huska, and a staggering five key pending unrestricted free agents. That's not an easy situation for anyone to handle.

Calgary extended captain Mikael Backlund before the start of the season but ended up trading the other four pending UFAs: Nikita Zadorov, Elias Lindholm, Chris Tanev, and Noah Hanifin.

The Flames now enter the offseason with eight picks in the first four rounds of the 2024 NHL Draft, several young up-and-coming players, and a core of aging veterans. Where do Conroy and Co. go from here?

Embrace a rebuild

The Flames could go all-in, adding immediate help to try and win before Jonathan Huberdeau, Nazem Kadri, and MacKenzie Weegar - three 30-plus players signed through at least 2028-29 - get too old. But that strategy would likely lead to more long-term pain.

We're not saying Conroy needs to completely tear the team down to its core, but he must resist the urge to hand out more long-term contracts to aging players and instead continue to try and get younger.

The Flames should be open for business. There are obvious trade candidates - like goalie Jacob Markstrom and 2025 pending UFAs Andrew Mangiapane and Andrei Kuzmenko - but nothing should be off the table if a team steps up with the right offer.

Without a new arena deal, a rebuild may have been out of the question. But after locking in a 35-year commitment to stay in Calgary - and a new rink coming by 2026 or 2027 - the Flames have the luxury of rebuilding the right way without having to worry about how plummeting attendance could put the franchise at risk of moving.

The Flames have only drafted in the top five once in the last 50 years and have never drafted in the top three in that span. Bottoming out and getting a chance to select a homegrown superstar over the next few years would be a great way to turn the franchise around.

Trade Markstrom

The Markstrom saga has been a prominent distraction during the 2023-24 season. The Flames and New Jersey Devils reportedly came close to a trade for the veteran goalie, which ultimately fell through. Markstrom, whose contract contains a no-movement clause, said he wasn't happy with how the Flames' front office handled his situation.

It's clear that both sides need to move on, and the Devils reportedly still plan to pursue Markstrom in the offseason. That's good news for the Flames, who should try and work out a deal to turn the page as soon as possible.

It's important to trade Markstrom this offseason because of how volatile the goaltending position is. He's in the midst of a stellar season with a .906 save percentage and 28.4 goals saved above expected - the second-most in the league, per Evolving-Hockey.

But Markstrom posted one of the worst seasons of his career last season with an .892 save percentage and 1.5 goals saved above expected. If he were to return to his 2022-23 form for the Flames next year, it could torpedo his trade value. That'd be far from ideal considering he's 34 years old and signed for two more seasons with a $6-million cap hit.

Extend Sharangovich

One 2025 UFA the Flames should look to keep is Yegor Sharangovich. At just 25 years old, he could still be part of the solution when the Flames try to turn the corner in a few years. He's been a great fit with the club, establishing new career highs in goals (29), assists (25), and points (54) through 75 games this season. A 17.8 shooting percentage may be unsustainable, but there's still some room for growth in other areas of his game.

A four- or five-year extension with an average annual value of around $5 million could be a good deal for both sides.

Weaponize cap space

Even before trading anyone, the Flames will have about $18 million of cap space at their disposal. With Dustin Wolf as the team's only notable pending restricted free agent, Conroy should use that cap space to further improve his team's draft pick pool and prospect pipeline.

Contending teams are always trying to clear cap space ahead of free agency, and they're typically willing to add sweeteners to trades if it means ditching a bad contract. As long as it's a short-term deal, the Flames should definitely be willing to take on an unwanted player if it'll net them a premium draft pick or prospect.

The Flames should also be willing to retain salary as a third-party broker if it scores them a draft pick.

Sign playoff-type UFAs for trade bait

Even as a rebuilding team, the Flames still have several holes on the roster they'll need to fill for the 2024-25 season - the majority of which are on defense.

Weegar, Rasmus Andersson, and Daniil Miromanov should be lineup mainstays. Joel Hanley and Brayden Pachal are good depth options. But otherwise, the Flames could use two-to-three blue-liners to fill out their lineup.

Oliver Kylington is a logical candidate to be re-signed. The smooth-skating Swede was understandably rusty after initially rejoining the lineup following a near two-year absence. But he's started to look more like his normal self of late. Trying to re-sign him to a one-year deal would be a wise move.

The Flames should also try and target UFA defensemen on one-year deals who they could flip at the deadline for draft picks. Even third-pairing-caliber defensemen can net third-round picks, as evidenced by the return the Washington Capitals received for Joel Edmundson this past deadline.

Targeting physical defenders whom playoff teams will covet should be Conroy's free-agent strategy. Edmundson, Brenden Dillon, Ian Cole, Derek Forbort, and Ilya Lyubushkin would all make sense on cost-friendly, short-term deals.

The Flames are largely set up front, but they could use another middle-six center option. Sharangovich has mostly played center since the deadline, but he's a better fit on the wing. UFA centers who'd make sense on short-term deals include Alexander Wennberg, Max Domi, Chandler Stephenson, Teddy Blueger, and Kevin Stenlund.

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The San Jose Sharks signed Quinnipiac University product Collin Graf to an entry-level contract beginning in 2023-24, the team announced Thursday.

Graf was widely considered the best NCAA free agent this year.

"His on-ice awareness allows him to process the game at a high level, and (he) is a unique player with a quality 200-foot game who excels in the offensive zone," Sharks general manager Mike Grier said. "We are excited to have him join the organization."

The 21-year-old forward has been a Hobey Baker top-10 finalist in each of the last two seasons. He helped the Bobcats win the national championship in 2023, leading the club in goals (21) and assists (38) in 41 games. He paced the team again with 49 points in 34 contests this past season.

With the Sharks sitting last in the league's standings, Graf could get to make his NHL debut in the near future.

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Philadelphia Flyers legend Eric Lindros says he would've handled Cutter Gauthier's trade request differently if it were up to him.

"I would have focused on just saying, 'We wanted Jamie Drysdale and we had to give up this player,'" Lindros told The Hockey News' Michael Traikos. "That's how I would have dealt with it. I wouldn't have publicized the situation. I would have just traded the kid."

Philadelphia shocked the hockey world in January by trading Gauthier - the 2022 No. 5 pick - to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for 2020 No. 6 pick Jamie Drysdale.

General manager Daniel Briere and president of hockey operations Keith Jones were both candid about the reasons for the trade, saying the prospect "didn't want to be a Flyer" despite draft day assurances that he was eager to sign with the club. Jones and Lindros, notably, were teammates for two seasons with the Flyers.

Gauthier said he received death threats from Flyers fans. Though he never provided an exact reason as to why he didn't want to play for Philadelphia, he said "multiple, re-occurring issues" that he'd seen in the organization led to the request.

Lindros can speak on the situation from a unique perspective. He was drafted first overall by the Quebec Nordiques in 1991 but refused to play for them, citing issues with ownership. He was eventually traded to the Flyers for a package including fellow eventual Hockey Hall of Famer Peter Forsberg.

The 51-year-old believes more players should feel free to decide where they want to play.

"I had a great time in Philly," Lindros said. "But if he thinks he's going to have a better time someplace else, then go for it. It's a player's right. The better the city and the organization treats a guy, the more it's going to attract guys. That's a big part of it.

"I don't think a player puts his head down anymore and says, 'Thank you.' Especially a free agent or someone who has been around the league."

Lindros spent eight of his 13 NHL seasons in the City of Brotherly Love, winning the Hart Trophy in 1995.

Gauthier's Boston College Eagles advanced to the Frozen Four with Sunday's win over Quinnipiac. He could turn pro and sign with the Ducks following the completion of the NCAA tournament.

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Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman will sit three games for unsportsmanlike conduct, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced Monday.

Hartman threw his stick in the direction of an official at the end of Saturday's game against the Vegas Golden Knights. Jonathan Marchessault had just scored into the Wild's empty net in overtime.

Hartman was on his way to the dressing room but returned to the bench to launch his stick.

The league found that Hartman's actions were "intentional, deliberate, and solely due to frustration," adding that the veteran also "verbally (berated) the officials in an inappropriate manner."

Hartman posited that he wasn't trying to hurt anyone, but he acknowledged that his actions were unprofessional, per the Department of Player Safety.

The 29-year-old was apparently upset over a missed high-stick call late in the game.

Hartman has been suspended three other times in his 10-year NHL career: one game in 2018 for a check to the head, one game in 2023 for interference, and two games in 2023 for tripping.

He has recorded 19 goals and 23 assists in 68 games this season.

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The Seattle Kraken promoted their top prospect Shane Wright from the AHL's Coachella Valley Firebirds on Sunday, the club announced.

Wright has recorded 20 goals and 23 assists with the Firebirds this season. He spent three games up with the Kraken earlier in the campaign but failed to record a point. The 20-year-old center also played in eight games with Seattle last season, notching a goal and an assist.

The Kraken selected Wright with the No. 4 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. For a long time, he was projected to go first overall after he was granted exceptional status into the OHL as a 15-year-old.

Wright enjoyed a stellar OHL career with 197 points in 141 career games between the Kingston Frontenacs and the Windsor Spitfires. He also captained Canada to a gold medal at the 2023 World Junior Championship.

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The Seattle Kraken promoted their top prospect Shane Wright from the AHL's Coachella Valley Firebirds on Sunday, the club announced.

Wright has recorded 20 goals and 23 assists with the Firebirds this season. He spent three games up with the Kraken earlier in the campaign but failed to record a point. The 20-year-old center also played in eight games with Seattle last season, notching a goal and an assist.

The Kraken selected Wright with the No. 4 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. For a long time, he was projected to go first overall after he was granted exceptional status into the OHL as a 15-year-old.

Wright enjoyed a stellar OHL career with 197 points in 141 career games between the Kingston Frontenacs and the Windsor Spitfires. He also captained Canada to a gold medal at the 2023 World Junior Championship.

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Mats Zuccarello has some jokes for his old buddy Chris Kreider.

Kreider scored his 300th career goal in his 807th game Saturday against the Arizona Coyotes, but Zuccarello said his presence could've expedited the process.

"I mean, in front of the net, he's probably best in the league," Zuccarello told The Athletic's Arthur Staple about what makes Kreider unique. "They've got a good power play, of course, he's playing with good players, and he's a good player, too. It's impressive. Too bad I got traded, or he would have gotten (to 300) faster."

Kreider and Zuccarello spent parts of seven seasons together with the New York Rangers before the latter was dealt to the Dallas Stars at the 2019 trade deadline. Zuccarello has since spent the last five seasons with the Minnesota Wild.

With Kreider being a north-south power forward and Zuccarello being a shifty playmaker, the duo complemented each other well during their time together. Zuccarello assisted on 38 of Kreider's 300 goals - tied for fourth-most of any player.

"He turned out to be a great guy, good friend, and we have lots of good memories from the years we played together," Zuccarello said. "I'm really happy for him, and I hope he keeps it going."

Kreider is showing no signs of slowing down in his age-32 campaign. He's racked up 35 goals and 32 assists in 74 games this season. His 300 career goals rank third in Rangers history, trailing Rod Gilbert (406) and Jean Ratelle (336).

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Mats Zuccarello has some jokes for his old buddy Chris Kreider.

Kreider scored his 300th career goal in his 807th game Saturday against the Arizona Coyotes, but Zuccarello said his presence could've expedited the process.

"I mean, in front of the net, he's probably best in the league," Zuccarello told The Athletic's Arthur Staple about what makes Kreider unique. "They've got a good power play, of course, he's playing with good players, and he's a good player, too. It's impressive. Too bad I got traded, or he would have gotten (to 300) faster."

Kreider and Zuccarello spent parts of seven seasons together with the New York Rangers before the latter was dealt to the Dallas Stars at the 2019 trade deadline. Zuccarello has since spent the last five seasons with the Minnesota Wild.

With Kreider being a north-south power forward and Zuccarello being a shifty playmaker, the duo complemented each other well during their time together. Zuccarello assisted on 38 of Kreider's 300 goals - tied for fourth-most of any player.

"He turned out to be a great guy, good friend, and we have lots of good memories from the years we played together," Zuccarello said. "I'm really happy for him, and I hope he keeps it going."

Kreider is showing no signs of slowing down in his age-32 campaign. He's racked up 35 goals and 32 assists in 74 games this season. His 300 career goals rank third in Rangers history, trailing Rod Gilbert (406) and Jean Ratelle (336).

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Toronto Maple Leafs superstar Auston Matthews scored his 60th goal of the season Saturday during his team's 3-0 win against the Buffalo Sabres.

The eruption of the crowd made it seem like a home game, but Matthews hit the milestone at KeyBank Arena in Buffalo, which had been overtaken by Leafs fans.

"It means a lot, obviously. This is as much of a team accomplishment in my opinion as an individual one," Matthews said postgame. "It's always a fun atmosphere here with all the blue and white in the stands. Definitely pretty cool."

Matthews joined elite company in the process, becoming only the ninth player in NHL history to reach the mark in multiple campaigns. He also scored 60 during his Hart Trophy-winning season in 2021-22.

"It's hard to think about stuff like that, honestly," Matthews said when asked about being the only active player to hit the mark. "It's special, obviously."

There have only been six 60-goal seasons since 1996-97. Alex Ovechkin (2007-08), Steven Stamkos (2011-12), David Pastrnak (2022-23), and Connor McDavid (2022-23) are responsible for the other four.

Nobody has scored 70 goals in a season since Alexander Mogilny and Teemue Selanne each notched 76 in 1992-93. Matthews will need 10 goals in his final nine games to reach the mark - an unlikely, but not impossible task with his uncanny scoring ability.

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Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin suffered an injury scare Saturday against the Florida Panthers after he was struck by an errant point shot and had to be helped off the ice 28 seconds into the game.

Larkin returned for one shift in the first period and took one faceoff but then limped back off the ice. However, he returned for good to start the second period.

He put together a gutsy performance after returning, scoring the game-tying goal late in the third period to force overtime in Detroit's 3-2 shootout loss.

Larkin has already missed 14 games this season due to injury. He's tallied 29 goals and 29 assists in 60 contests, sitting just two back of Lucas Raymond for the team lead in points.

The Red Wings have struggled mightily without Larkin in the lineup this season, going 4-10-0 in his absence.

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