Despite the commentary around not wanting to continuously talk about the Calgary Flames, Elliotte Friedman and the 32 Thoughts the Podcast still finds a way to talk about the team whenever possible.
Now that is for a few key reasons. One is that they are the most interesting team around the trade deadline in terms of what direction they are going and the other is that the Flames currently hold all of the cards when it comes to top trade targets.
This Friday’s episode of 32 Thoughts covered lots of Flames tidbits including Jacob Markstrom and the New Jersey Devils (again), Noah Hanifin trade destinations (again), and Chris Tanev speculation (again).
Thoughts on the Calgary Flames
The podcast started with a longer intro over the New Jersey Devils and their recent struggles, including two lopsided losses this week. The interesting point that Friedman made was about how the Devils and their fans watched their team virtually lose to Igor Shesterkin last night while getting no saves of their own, while simultaneously seeing Markstrom and Juuse Saros steal games for their respective teams.
His assumption was that there was no way from now until the trade deadline that the Devils weren’t going to make at least one move to support their team, most likely being a goaltender or a defenceman.
Markstom again makes the most sense here, but whatever derailed the trade talk still seems to be hampering a deal. The addition of Saros is intriguing for the Flames as he is younger, cheaper, and has one more year left on his deal as opposed to two. If I were the Devils, that’s who I’d give up more assets for, but Flames fans clearly would disagree.
The conversation then turned to Noah Hanifin, and how Lindholm Watch has turned into Hanifin Watch. The reason for this per Friedman was that the Flames had still been holding out hope they could re-sign Hanifin, but now that this isn’t likely to happen, teams are starting to circle.
Those teams include the Toronto Maple Leafs, Tampa Bay Lightning, Boston Bruins, New Jersey Devils, and the Florida Panthers. He does add that although Toronto may want him, Hanifin is likely to extend in the US therefore it’s not likely. Additionally, New Jersey doesn’t seem to be on Hanifin’s list so it’s mainly down to three teams.
The Lightning, Bruins, and Panthers all have very light cabinets in terms of what they could give up in a potential deal which does make him wonder if it’s legit. The Lightning are not likely to trade Isaac Howard, and the Bruins would prefer not to move their young prospects. The Panthers are the team that he is most interested in, and he named Anton Lundell as a player the Flames could be looking at.
The biggest thing with the Panthers is they have a wealth of contract decisions to make this summer, and adding to that could make things difficult. The Flames need to make the best move for them though, and if those teams are not meeting the price then it would be unwise to make a deal there.
Finally, there was some light Tanev talk, touching again on the Flames’ desire to fetch a first-round pick from any team. Dallas looks to be the best bet here.
More news to come, we are certain of that.
