Trade trees are the best, as a simple move can lead to all kinds of future earth-shattering moves. This comes true with the Calgary Flames and some recent moves, including a blockbuster deal in 2018 that is still churning into future assets today. But, it all started in the 2024–15 season when then GM Brad Treliving decided to move a pending unrestricted free agent as the team was in the midst of a playoff run:
Trade #1: March 1, 2015
The Calgary Flames trade Curtis Glencross to the Washington Capitals in exchange for a 2015 second (52nd overall) and 2015 third (83rd overall).
Trade #2: June 26, 2015
The Boston Bruins trade Dougie Hamilton to the Calgary Flames in exchange for a 2015 first (15th overall), 2015 second (45th overall), and Washington’s 2015 second (52nd overall).
Trade #3: June 27, 2015
The Calgary Flames package their 2015 third-rounder (76th overall) and Washington’s 2015 third-rounder (83rd overall) and send them to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for a 2015 second (60th overall selection). The Flames used that 60th overall selection on defenceman Oliver Kylington.
Trade #4: June 23, 2018
The Calgary Flames acquire Elias Lindholm and Noah Hanifin from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Dougie Hamilton, Michael Ferland, and prospect Adam Fox.
Trade #5: January 31, 2024
Vancouver Canucks acquire Elias Lindholm from the Calgary Flames in exchange for Andrei Kuzmenko, a 2024 first, conditional 2024 fourth, and defensive prospects Hunter Brzustewicz and Joni Jurmo.
Trade #6: March 6, 2024
Vegas Golden Knights acquire Noah Hanifin (75% retained through the Philadelphia Flyers) from the Calgary Flames in exchange for a conditional 2025 first, conditional third, and Daniil Miromanov.
If the Golden Knights move that 2025 first before this year’s trade deadline, or it is a top-ten pick, it will move to 2026. The conditional 2025 third upgrades to a 2025 second if Vegas wins one round in the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs.
The Glencross trade is paying dividends to this day
Not included as ‘assets’ in a trade tree are the games that Calgary got out of both Lindholm and Hanifin. They got six seasons out of both players. Lindholm potted 148 goals and 209 assists for 357 points in 418 games, while Hanifin added 42 goals and 149 assists for 191 points in 420 games. Both were big parts of the Flames for many seasons.
In deciding to trade a pending UFA in Curtis Glencross before the 2014–15 NHL Trade Deadline, the Flames have a variety of assets today. Those are:
- Oliver Kylington
- Andrei Kuzmenko
- Daniil Miromanov
- VAN 2024 1st
- VAN cond. 2024 4th
- VGK cond. 2025 1st
- VGK cond. 2025 3rd
- Hunter Brzustewicz
- Joni Jurmo
That is two NHL players on your current roster, one fringe NHL player, four future draft picks, and two defence prospects. And we can assume this trade tree will be updated in future seasons and continue to churn future assets. A decision made a little more than nine years ago is still paying off to this day.
