A non-contending team might sign a free agent in the summer for several reasons. One reason is to lock in a player on a longer-term deal, betting they’ll be part of the roster when the team becomes competitive. Another is to bring in enough talent to ice a complete team and meet the salary cap floor. Lastly, a team might add a player to flip them at the NHL Trade Deadline.
The last option could give the Calgary Flames a compelling reason to consider someone they know well former Edmonton Oilers forward Kailer Yamamoto.
Yamamoto is coming off a deal with the Seattle Kraken that paid him $1.5 million. He signed a one-year deal with the team in 2023, but in 59 games last season, Yamamoto struggled offensively, scoring only eight goals and eight assists. He was not given a qualifying offer and became a UFA. He’s yet to sign anywhere.
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As much as Yamamoto might not be a world-beater, he has been a 20-goal scorer in the NHL before. With the right linemates and the right opportunity, he’s an inexpensive addition that could produce more than he did in Seattle, which becomes a potential trade piece for the Flames.
Yamamoto was at his best when he played with a star. Leon Draisaitl was a fan of Yamamoto’s hard forechecking style, even though Yamamoto isn’t all that big. For the Flames, they’ll need players with a motor that never stops and someone who can elevate their game with skilled forwards. Draisaitl noted:
Hes got that bite. That little bit of edge to him in terms of forechecking. But you know, there are a lot of good forecheckers in the league but when they get the puck, maybe they cant make anything of it. Hes able to find guys, make the right plays, go to the right spots
Yamamoto is an inexpensive gamble. If he doesn’t pay off, the Flames aren’t out anything more than around $1 million on their salary cap. If he does, not only could the winger provide a bit more grit and scoring punch to the Flames forward group, but he becomes a piece GM Craig Conroy can dangle when the Flames inevitably start selling at the deadline.
And, it’s always fun to see the Flames and Oilers conduct business that sends a bit of shot to their Alberta rivals.