The focus in the next week will no doubt be on the Calgary Flames defence. Earlier in the week, the Flames sent Chris Tanev to the Dallas Stars in exchange for a 2024 second round pick, prospect Artem Grushnikov, and a conditional 2026 third (Flames receive it only if the Stars make the Stanley Cup Final). Based on insider reports, Noah Hanifin will also be dealt before the NHL trade deadline at 1:00 pm MT on March 8.
The Flames are at the end of decisions involving the 2024 UFA class. They managed to extend one, Mikael Backlund, and trade four others: Tyler Toffoli, Nikita Zadorov, Elias Lindholm, and most recently, Chris Tanev. After Hanifin inevitably departs, it signals the end of a season of massive change. As the Flames continue to claw towards 14-16th overall for the second year in a row, change was definitely needed.
While the Flames have seemed to adopt a retool, many wonder if that is enough. Regardless of others’ thinking, it seems like Flames management/ownership is targeting being competitive again sooner rather than later. One way to accomplish that goal is targeting younger NHL players who can come into the lineup immediately.
A source tells The Win Column that one of the players of interest to the Flames is Montreal Canadiens defenceman Jordan Harris.
Flames interested in Habs defenceman Jordan Harris
Harris, 23, is a left-shot defenceman who can play both sides if needed. He has seven goals and 26 points in 110 games so far in his NHL career. Unfortunately for him, the emergence of Jayden Struble has led to Harris often being a healthy scratch. Harris has seen action in 35 of the Canadiens’ 59 games this season. With the depth that Montreal has on defence, Harris could be moved for futures or a young forward.
For a Flames team that is about to lose two top-four defencemen, acquiring a 23-year-old defenceman does make sense. I wouldn’t be in the camp that would want to move future assets right now, but I do like Jordan Harris quite a bit. It seems like an obvious fit. Would the Flames flip the Dallas 2024 second rounder they got for Chris Tanev in exchange for Harris?
If the team wants to remain competitive, grabbing a guy like Harris could help stabilize the hole left by Hanifin and/or Tanev. Harris is signed through the 2024–25 season at an average annual value of $1,400,000 before becoming a restricted free agent.
Flames focus is on selling assets first
Make no mistake, the Flames are focused on getting the best possible return for the aforementioned Hanifin, as well as listening on others like goaltender Jacob Markstrom. But Harris is definitely someone that has popped up in the last few weeks as the team looks at options to bring younger NHL-ready players into the lineup.
Photo via NHL.com
