The Calgary Flames continue to be the centre of attention in the NHL as we get closer to the trade deadline. With the top three players on the trade market, the Flames are the talk of the town. With the deadline just three weeks away, that noise will only continue to get louder.
This week’s 32 Thoughts the Podcast touches on the current status of Noah Hanifin, where things stand with Chris Tanev, and offers an update on Jacob Markstrom. Let’s break it down.
The Flames are the centre of attention in the NHL
Right off the top, Elliotte Friedman mentions that he actually feels bad about how often he picks apart the Flames and the rumours around them. That’s a good indicator of just how much noise there is around this team right now. He also called out how the Flames are essentially in control of the entire trade deadline market right now.
“You talk to a whole bunch of teams and it’s like, everyone is waiting on the Flames to decide what they’re gonna do.”
Elliotte Friedman on the noise around the Flames
Conroy is clearly in a delicate position right now. He currently holds all the cards as the rest of the NHL is awaiting his next move. He can dictate the entire trade deadline market with what he does across the next couple of weeks, but needs to act soon before teams get antsy and move to their Plan Bs.
The Flames are trying to quiet the noise
Building off the above, Friedman mentions that Calgary is starting to feel the negative impacts of just how much noise there has been around the team right now but it’s so hard to do with everything going on.
The team doesn’t want to talk about [Hanifin going to market], and the agent doesn’t want to talk about it and I think it’s because the Flames were doing really well and then the Markstrom thing got out and it’s really fouled up their season. I think the Flames are trying to protect some of their players, particularly Markstrom who is not a UFA. I just think they want to calm the noise around their team, but it’s just so hard to do it.”
Elliotte Friedman on the noise around the Flames
If you watched the Flames in their past couple of games, you can tell the noise has started to get to them. As Friedman mentions the Markstrom news likely came as a major hit to their locker room and was a big reason for their recent losing streak.
Trading pending UFAs is one thing, but when you find out your starting goaltender and MVP this season was nearly traded, it can’t be easy to focus on winning.
Jacob Markstrom is open to a move
Adding to some of the recent reports around Markstrom, Friedman mentioned that while Markstrom is getting frustrated with all the rumours, he’s told the Flames he’s open to a move.
“I think Markstrom is frustrated, but he’s basically said if you bring me something I’ll consider it.”
Elliotte Friedman on the Markstrom rumours
The reporting around the Markstrom saga has been all over the place in recent weeks, but Friedman makes one thing clear in his statement: Markstrom is open to a move. While he may not be happy with all the rumours, and how could you blame him, it sounds like he’s open to anything at this point.
The Flames really want a first-round pick for Tanev
Friedman confirmed again what we’ve heard in recent weeks, the Flames are holding out on a Chris Tanev trade to try to get a first-round pick.
“When it comes to Tanev, I think the Flames are waiting until a first round pick gets offered… if a team steps up with a first rounder I could see it happening.”
Elliotte Friedman on Chris Tanev
While you obviously want Craig Conroy to get the best possible return for an asset as valuable as Chris Tanev, he’s really playing with fire right now.
If the Flames wanted a second-round pick, the deal would’ve been done weeks ago likely. Instead Conroy is rolling the dice and hoping as the trade deadline gets closer a team finally gives in and offers up their first-round pick.
It’s a bold strategy considering Tanev’s playstyle to continue to play him while waiting on your asking price.
In particular, Friedman mentioned that one of Tanev’s top suitors in Brad Treliving’s Maple Leafs have been offering multiple later-round picks but not a first, which isn’t of interest to Calgary.
The market for Noah Hanifin is forming
Lastly, Friedman touched on the ever-growing market for Hanifin now that the coveted trade piece is finally hitting the market.
Friedman and Marek mentioned the Dallas Stars, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers are the main teams likely interested in acquiring the 27-year-old.
Friedman as always mentioned Treliving and the Maple Leafs are very interested in Hanifin, but it’s widely assumed he wants to return to the U.S.A. which would rule out the Maple Leafs as a fit.
To close it off he called out Boston and Florida as the likely frontrunners for Hanifin due to the amount of assets they have available for a trade, unlike teams like Toronto and Tampa Bay who don’t have much to offer.
Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire
