NHL Betting Odds and Trade Deadline Rumours: Should the Calgary Flames be buyers or sellers?
Entering Wednesday, the Calgary Flames sit just outside the final wild card spot in the Western Conference. The problem is, they’re still five points back of that spot. Let’s take a look at some assets the Flames could cash in on if they decide to be sellers at the trade deadline.
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Chris Tanev
Chris Tanev’s name has been highlighted in trade rumours all season and it seems like almost a guarantee he will be dealt before the March 8 trade deadline. Tanev has been an attractive option as a rare right-shot defenceman who is a pending UFA with a reasonable $4.5 million cap hit. He’s one of the best shot blockers in the NHL and his tough, gritty, style of play could be essential when the intensity heats up in the playoffs. The Flames are rumoured to be holding out for a first round draft pick plus a second piece for Tanev.
A couple of Canadian teams have been linked to Tanev, with Vancouver and Toronto believed to be kicking tires on the 34-year-old. The Flames and Canucks have worked well together this season, with Vancouver receiving defenceman Nikita Zadorov and forward Elias Lindholm from Calgary in separate trades. There was actually talk of Tanev being included in the Lindholm trade, but the Flames thought they could get more by trading Tanev individually.
Toronto also clearly has familiarity with Calgary as Leafs general manager Brad Trevling spent nine years as GM of the Flames. In fact, it was Treliving who signed Tanev to his current contract after he left Vancouver in free agency four years ago. Could Treliving pry Tanev away from a second Canadian team?
Noah Hanifin
Another pending UFA defenceman, Noah Hanifin was believed to be close to signing an eight-year contract extension in Calgary before the wheels fell off the team this season. Now the 27-year-old and his $4.95 million cap hit are on the market with several playoff contenders expressing interest.
Hanifin is an elite skater and one of the best two-way defenders in the league. He’s already surpassed his career-high in goals (11) this season and he is well on his way to setting a new career-high in points while remaining a key shutdown defender. Hanifin is expected to fetch a package that includes a first round draft pick, a top prospect and a roster player and Calgary might get more if the deal includes a longterm extension.
Boston, Florida, New Jersey and Tampa Bay each have key holes on their blue lines that Hanifin would fit. The Bruins don’t have their next three first round draft picks, so they would need to focus on sending top prospects back in the deal. The Panthers could offer multiple second round picks and top prospects that are essentially equivalent to a first round pick.
The Devils can probably make the strongest offer and they’ve been linked to Hanifin the longest. Out of the four teams mentioned, they’re the only one who can offer Calgary a first round pick this year and they also have a deep prospect pool in their farm system.
The Lightning seem like a bit of a stretch to land Nanifin, but they’ve been crafty in adding players at the deadline in recent years. The problem is, the cupboard is pretty bare after all those Stanley Cup runs. Even if Tampa Bay can make the money work, their best offer wouldn’t include a first round pick until 2026.
Jacob Markstrom
Jacob Markstrom is valuable as one of the few true No. 1 goalies in the NHL. The 34-year-old is signed at a $6 million cap hit for two more season after this year, so he’ll fetch more than a rental player. Now it’s no guarantee the Flames will trade Markstrom, but a team like New Jersey could be desperate enough to make a significant offer.
Markstrom will never be more valuable than he is right now and he is reportedly open to being traded. Since Dec. 1, Markstrom has a 2.34 goals-against average, .924 save percentage and two shutouts. He ranks in the top 10 in each of those statistical categories among goalies who have played at least 15 games.
The Devils have been the team most linked to Markstrom. Multiple reports say the two teams have had in-depth trades talks about Markstrom, with the main issue being how much it will cost for the Flames to retain salary. Calgary is reportedly willing to retain money, but how much does that bump up the price for Markstrom considering he has multiple seasons left on his contract after this one?
