Sportsnet guru Elliotte Friedman emptied his notebook in his latest 31 Thoughts column, penning 31 notes related to the trade deadline hubbub. The Calgary Flames were mentioned in a pair.

For reference, the package that landed Trocheck in Carolina saw the ‘Canes send out NHL forwards Erik Haula and Lucas Wallmark, and prospects Chase Priskie and Eetu Luostarinen. While Trocheck would definitely tick a lot of boxes for the Flames – he’s a right shot forward under contract through 2021-22 with a $4.75 million cap hit – a big question would be if the Flames could have offered a similar package and landed him.

Taking out two top nine forwards and a couple prospects probably would’ve stretched the Flames depth, even if Trocheck would’ve probably been an upgrade on at least one of the forwards going the other way.

Friedman explained the rationale for Buffalo wanting Simmonds: his amazingly positive attitude. The Sabres sent a conditional fifth round pick away in the trade – it can become a fourth rounder if the Sabres make the playoffs and he plays 10+ games. While Simmonds’ attitude is definitely a positive, it would’ve been challenging for the Flames to send out assets to land a player that might not necessarily upgrade their club’s offensive capabilities.

As Brad Treliving often said in the run-up to the deadline: the price has to make sense. In the case of Trocheck and Simmonds, and others the Flames kicked tires on, it didn’t.