Nation Sites
The Nation Network
FlamesNation has no direct affiliation to the Calgary Flames, Calgary Sports and Entertainment, NHL, or NHLPA
Flames Trade Deadline 2015: Five Things The Flames Need

We’re just shy of 24 hours prior to the NHL’s trade deadline. There will be a lot of chatter on the ol’ interwebs about who is moving where and why.
Here are five things that make complete sense for the Calgary Flames to be pursuing tomorrow.
POSSESSION-DRIVING PLAYERS
Calgary is 28th in Corsi and Corsi Close, meaning they are the third-worst team in the NHL in moving play the right way. This season’s been fun, but they need to continue building a team for long-term success. That means acquiring players that can hold onto the puck and move play consistently up the ice.
(GOOD) RIGHT HANDED DEFENDERS
The Flames went out last off-season and accumulated right-handed defensemen. After that spending spree, here’s the right-handed defender inventory:
- Deryk Engelland
- Dennis Wideman
- Raphael Diaz
- Ladislav Smid
- Sena Acolatse
- John Ramage
- Nolan Yonkman
None of these guys are high-end, top-four defenders. The Flames need good right-handed defensemen so that they have roster balance.
RIGHT HANDED CENTERS
Similar to the previous entry, the Flames have three right-handed centers in the entire organization, and only one in Calgary: Josh Jooris. The other two are AHLers Drew Shore and Bill Arnold. Right-handed centers give a coach flexibility in deploying his players, particularly in terms of winning key face-offs. Jooris has been very valuable this season, but the team needs more righties who can take draws (and ideally win them).
OTHER TEAMS UNWANTED TOYS
At this time of year, every team has prospects they suddenly realize don’t fit into their organizational plans. Heck, we mentioned a few earlier today that don’t seem to be in Calgary’s. And Brad Treliving made a savvy “my unwanted toy for yours” trade when he flipped Corban Knight for Drew Shore. Similar deals could be coming.
DRAFT PICKS
Finally, it’s a rebuild. Rebuilds need assets. Assets are gotten through the draft, typically. Particularly given that this year’s draft is said to be deep, the Flames would be wise to grab as many picks as they realistically can before the deadline.
Breaking News
- 20 Calgary Flames players have expiring contracts on July 1
- Carson Carels and Nikita Klepov highlight Flames first five picks in latest mock draft from The Athletic
- Looking at why the Flames and Devils made the Šimon Nemec trade
- What Devils fans say about new Flames defender Simon Nemec
- FN Draft Profiles: Simas Ignatavicius could make Lithuanian history with the Calgary Flames
