The struggling Flames remain a hot topic for trade speculation. Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman noted the Calgary Flames were far along on an extension for Noah Hanifin before the club paused contract talks with their pending free agents. The number was believed to be higher than the $50.75 million contract signed by Devon Toews with the Colorado Avalanche.
Hanifin decided to call timeout on his negotiations. Friedman isn’t sure if the 26-year-old defenseman wants to commit to the Flames if they decide to take what Eric Francis called a potentially “radical new approach.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: TSN’s Darren Dreger also reported that Hanifin decided to put his contract talks on hold for now.
If the Flames can right the ship and rise in the standings perhaps those discussions will resume. Should they continue to flounder, Hanifin and his fellow pending UFAs could end up becoming trade bait later in the season.
Friedman also noted that the Flames exchanged an offer with Chris Tanev “but things weren’t close.” Center Elias Lindholm’s asking price remains higher than where the Flames want to go.
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jimmy Murphy noted the Bruins had expressed interest in Hanifin in the trade market. However, he doesn’t expect Boston GM Don Sweeney to target expensive talent such as Hanifin or Lindholm, citing the club’s lack of cap space this season. The Bruins also lack the first-round picks and prospects needed to pull off a trade without sacrificing a key roster player in the deal.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: In other words, the Bruins are not parting with promising center Matthew Poitras or defenseman Mason Lohrei. If they’re interested in Hanifin and Lindholm, they will probably wait and see if they become unrestricted free agents next July and attempt to sign them then.
WASHINGTON HOCKEY NOW: Jared Serre recently pondered the Capitals’ chances of landing a Flames forward such as Lindholm, Nazem Kadri, Jonathan Huberdeau or Dillon Dube.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Serre wrote this piece before Nicklas Backstrom announced he was stepping away from the club for health reasons.
Acquiring Lindholm would be a challenge as the Capitals lack any enticing roster players that would result in a strong offer. They do have eight picks in the first three rounds of the next two drafts and a deep prospect pool.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: There would also be the issue of re-signing Lindholm as I doubt the Capitals would want to part with assets solely for a rental. With Backstrom’s playing days likely over, they’ll want a long-term replacement. If he goes on permanent long-term injury reserve it would free up $9.2 million annually for the Capitals through 2024-25. That could be used to keep Lindholm in the fold.
However, the Flames reportedly intend to retool rather than rebuild. That would mean they’ll want one or two good young NHL players in return for Lindholm. It might be best for the Capitals to wait until next summer to bid on him if he tests the open market.
Serre speculated that acquiring Kadri (who has a full no-movement clause) would mean a swap for Evgeny Kuznetsov as a starting point. The Flames might be drawn to that with Kuznetsov’s contract expiring at the end of next season but adding an aging Kadri to the Capitals’ lineup could hurt their long-term expectations.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kadri might be willing to accept a trade to Washington if the Flames opt to retool their roster. However, I don’t see Kuznetsov agreeing to a trade to Calgary nor do I think the Flames would want him even as a short-term addition.
Huberdeau is likely out of the Capital’s price range in terms of return. His $10.5 million cap hit would be difficult to fit within their current cap payroll.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Backstrom going on LTIR could address the salary-cap issue for this season and next. However, the Capitals would probably focus on boosting their depth at center now.
Dube might be the most enticing option for the Capitals. However, he’s a restricted free agent this summer and the Flames might want him to be part of a retooled roster.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dube will also turn 26 next July and will be a year away from UFA eligibility. If he’s unwilling to sign a lengthy extension the Flames could shop him next summer. Whether the Capitals would be interested at that point is another matter.