A combustor dome assembly for a gas turbine engine having a longitudinal centerline axis extending therethrough includes: an annular dome plate having an inner portion, an outer portion, a forward surface, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings formed therein, wherein a radial section defined between each of the openings includes a cooling trough formed therein; and, a free floating swirler located upstream of the dome plate in substantial alignment with each of the openings in the dome plate, the swirler including a forward portion and an aft portion. The aft portion of each swirler is configured so as to permit air flow to the cooling trough during operation of the gas turbine engine. In particular, the swirler aft portion includes a substantially annular flange extending adjacent to the forward surface of the dome plate, wherein opposing portions of a circumference for the flange adjacent the radial sections of the dome plate are substantially linear.