Calgary Flames Defenseman Erik Gustafsson Heading for Free Agency

There’s smoke but no fire. The rumor is that 28-year-old Swedish defenseman Erik Gustafsson continues to talk with the Calgary Flames about re-signing with the team; however, if The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta is correct, Gustafsson might head into free agency. The word is that the Flames offer wasn’t high enough.

The Flames and D Erik Gustafsson have had recent contract talks, but unless Calgary ups the ante, the 28-year-old defenceman plans on hitting the open market next Friday.

— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) October 3, 2020

After a Great 2018-19 Season, 2019-20 Was Disappointing

For Chicago, Gustafsson’s play was disappointing and they expected more. He only scored one-third as many goals this season as he did last and less than half of the points. It was enough for the Blackhawks to keep him around, so they obviously moved him at the trade deadline to a team that would take a chance that his game would improve.

Ergo, Gustafsson was traded to the Flames by the Chicago Blackhawks. The Flames picked him up because the team had been hit hard on the blue line with both captain Mark Giordano and then Travis Hamonic being injured and out of the lineup. He didn’t cost much for the Flames to pick up – they only gave up a conditional 2020 third-round pick for his rights.

Related: Will the Calgary Flames Re-sign Goalie Cam Talbot?

Is Gustafsson Quick to Come and Quick to Leave?

Now, however, it looks as if the trade cost them. When free agency begins Friday, the not-long-a Flames defenseman might be on the move. He was on a $1.2 million contract that he’s signed with the Blackhawks prior to the 2018-19 season.

It would be interesting to see what Gustafsson is worth on the free market. From what I’ve seen in the shadow of COVID-19 and a flat salary cap, most free agents are signing for less money than they might have received in previous contracts.

Related: Calgary Flames Prospect News: Valimaki, Zavgorodniy, Kirkland & Tuulola