Friedman: Calgary Flames could have ‘three good defencemen on the market’
By Ryan Pike
8 months agoMonday’s edition of the 32 Thoughts podcast with Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman was primarily focused on the things that ail two of the league’s struggling powerhouses, the Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs. But during their discussions of those clubs, Marek and Friedman tied in the potential for the Calgary Flames to solve some of those club’s problems – notable on their bluelines.
After all, Friedman mused, the Flames could have three good defencemen on the market.
While discussing the Oilers’ challenges, Friedman briefly pivoted to a chat about the Flames:
“Calgary could have three defencemen on the market. Three good defencemen on the market. Noah Hanifin, Chris Tanev and Nikita Zadorov. It would be hilarious to see Calgary bailing out Toronto and Edmonton on one level.”
Marek threw some skepticism towards Friedman’s notion, noting how lopsided a trade between the Flames and Oilers would need to be in order for Flames general manager Craig Conroy to want to pull the trigger (and for Flames fans to be on board with it). Friedman agreed that it was an unlikely premise and provided a bit of context for what’s going on in Calgary.
“I’ll just say this. I think they’ve begun to make their phone calls, just to see what the market is. I don’t necessarily think anything’s happening soon, but I think they’re making their calls.”
Friedman said similar things on Donnie and Dhali: The Team on CHEK later on Monday.
The Flames have four prominent pending unrestricted free agents on their roster at present: centre Elias Lindholm, and Hanifin, Tanev and Zadorov on their blueline. Also on expiring deals are pending UFAs like Oliver Kylington, A.J. Greer and Dennis Gilbert, and pending RFAs Dillon Dube, Jakob Pelletier and Adam Ruzicka.
Needless to say, the Flames have some decisions to make regarding the long-term direction of their hockey club and the players that will be around to get them to where they want to be. Before they make decisions, though, they need to gather information about each player’s contractual wishes and their trade market values.
The Flames (3-7-1) are back in action on Tuesday when they face the Nashville Predators.
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