Why would Calgary do that?

Do what specifically?

we’re not gonna have to pay to dump monahan lol, centres that can score are still valuable even in a down year

Zadorov is NOT going to sign for a measly $1M...

It is well known that the Flames will need to dump one of Monahan, Backlund, or Lucic. Yes maybe I have paid too much too dump but don't expect the return for Monahan to be great. The benefit would come with salary dump to be able to sign the big free agents and not so much with getting back roster players.

Yes, I could see Zadorov getting more money somewhere else. But he isn't worth more than $1M or maybe $1.5M. If he walks, it would be that hard to find a equivalent replacement. He isn't out performing his current value so I wouldn't say it's impossible for him to come back at low cap hit.