The Calgary Flames had some obvious decisions to make when it came to extending offers to their restricted free agents.
Sam Bennett, Curtis Lazar, and Micheal Ferland — three of their main cogs and players who were on their protected list ahead of the National Hockey League expansion draft — all received qualifying offers by Monday’s afternoon deadline.
Also on their list: goaltenders Jon Gillies and David Rittich as well as farmhand prospects Garnet Hathaway, Tyler Wotherspoon, Brett Kulak and Linden Vey.
Not qualified? Defencemen Kenney Morrison and Ryan Culkin, and forward Alex Chiasson.
The decision on Chiasson raised eyebrows, considering the 26-year-old right-winger was brought in last summer in a trade with the Ottawa Senators and played 81 games, including all four of Calgary’s playoff contests.