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Analyzing Flames 2024 Trade Deadline: Potential Moves for Markstrom and Hanifin
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    Analyzing Flames 2024 Trade Deadline: Potential Moves for Markstrom and Hanifin

    CALGARY — The Calgary Flames have been in the trade spotlight most of the season, and that won’t change as long as Noah Hanifin and Jacob Markstrom remain with the club.

    The former is a cinch to be traded by Friday’s deadline, and the latter’s fate isn’t quite as clear.

    Either way, GM Craig Conroy has plenty of work ahead this week as part of the team’s plan to continue a youth movement that has the fan base excited for a new era.

    Projected deadline-day cap space: $6.066 million

    Contracts: 44/50

    Cap space committed to 2024-25: $65.563 million (committed to 17 players)

    Draft picks


    NEEDS

    In terms of positions, the Flames’ No. 1 priority is to acquire a top prospect or two who play centre.

    Trading away Elias Lindholm opened a gaping hole in the roster they had no one to fill, so they moved Yegor Sharangovch to the middle.

    The Flames may eventually task Connor Zary with returning to centre, where he played junior, but considerably more depth is still needed at that position.

    The blue line would be the second-biggest hole to fill, as the departures of Nikita Zadorov, Chris Tanev (and, soon, Noah Hanifin) leave a void that will take years to shore up.

    ASSETS TO TRADE

    Noah Hanifin

    Hanifin is playing the best hockey of his career and hopes that will translate into a sign-and-trade with, perhaps, a Florida-based team. However, both those teams rank amongst the worst in terms of prospects, complicating the possibility of finding a fit for the 27-year-old defenceman who should command at least a first-rounder, top prospect and serviceable roster player in return.

    He will be moved.

    The only questions left are, when and for whom.

    Jacob Markstrom

    This still feels like a summertime deal.

    The process of being floated to New Jersey, only to have it fall through, clearly frustrated him. With two years left on his deal, and a raft of teams that will be able to bid on his services this summer, it makes much more sense for the team to keep its MVP for the stretch run. 

    Watch Hockey Central’s trade deadline show on Sportsnet


    Sportsnet’s wall-to-wall coverage of the NHL trade deadline can be seen in a special edition of Hockey Central on March 8, beginning at 10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT. Watch the show on Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+.

    Broadcast schedule
    NHL trade tracker
    NHL trade candidates to watch

    POTENTIAL TARGETS

    Because the Flames are retooling, not rebuilding, Conroy would rather stock up on young prospects than draft picks, who generally take longer to develop.

    Jack Thompson is a second-year pro with the Tampa Bay Lightning organization who is a right-shot defenceman drafted in the third round. If the Flames bow to Hanifin’s desire to play in Tampa, he might be a nice fit, as the 21-year-old has compiled 32 points in 46 games with Syracuse this season.

    Ethan Gauthier is another top prospect with Tampa and was the QMHJHL’s first pick overall and is son of former Flames defenceman Denis Gauthier. The 19-year-old second-rounder has 37 goals and 72 points in 64 games this season in Drummondville where he plays right wing, a position the Flames could also use high-end help with.         

    OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

    The Flames have five other UFAs in their lineup who are unlikely to be moved at the deadline, headlined by Oliver Kylington, who will undoubtedly re-up with the club in the near future.

    Others include Kevin Rooney, Jordan Oesterle, Dennis Gilbert and injured AJ Greer.

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    As the 2024 NHL trade deadline approaches, the Calgary Flames find themselves in a position to potentially make some significant moves to improve their roster. Two players who have been the subject of trade rumors are goaltender Jacob Markstrom and defenseman Noah Hanifin.

    Markstrom, who signed a six-year, $36 million contract with the Flames in 2020, has been a solid presence in net for Calgary. However, with the team struggling to make a playoff push this season, there has been speculation that the Flames could look to move the veteran netminder in exchange for assets that could help them in the future.

    One potential destination for Markstrom could be the Edmonton Oilers, who are in need of an upgrade in goal as they look to make a deep playoff run. The Oilers have a number of young assets that could interest the Flames, including top prospects and draft picks. A trade involving Markstrom could benefit both teams, as the Flames would get valuable assets in return while the Oilers would get a proven goaltender to help them in their quest for a Stanley Cup.

    On the other hand, Noah Hanifin has also been mentioned in trade talks as the Flames look to shake up their roster. The 26-year-old defenseman has been a solid contributor for Calgary since being acquired in a trade with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2018. However, with the Flames struggling defensively this season, there is a possibility that Hanifin could be moved to address other areas of need.

    One potential landing spot for Hanifin could be the Boston Bruins, who are in need of help on defense as they look to solidify their playoff position. The Bruins have a number of young forwards who could interest the Flames, and a trade involving Hanifin could benefit both teams by addressing needs on their respective rosters.

    Overall, the Flames have some tough decisions to make as the trade deadline approaches. Whether they decide to move Markstrom, Hanifin, or both, it will be interesting to see how these potential trades play out and what impact they could have on the team’s future success.