We know the Calgary Flames are beginning a rebuild, meaning no player is truly safe from the trade block. Besides their young talent, the Flames have a boatload of veterans that could be substantial trade pieces heading into this season. With the considerable sell-off Flames GM Craig Conroy started last year, many still ask how the team still has players to trade. Given how the direction is clearer this time, certain players may begin wanting to pursue other options.
Therefore, Calgary still has some unfinished business to take care of. It’s very likely we will see another huge sell-off this season, and this time, it could be even more substantial.
Flames will be patient before initiating their plans
Trades are almost guaranteed to come, but the team isn’t going to jump the gun just yet. In a recent 32 Thoughts podcast episode, Elliotte Friedman stated that the Flames could get busy if they have a rough start to the season. The team won’t be competitive in some time, so this shouldn’t come as a surprise, but the Flames want to see where they’re at before making decisions.
If Calgary aims for a complete sell-off, it could arguably be larger than the previous one. This time, players such as Nazem Kadri, Rasmus Andersson, MacKenzie Weegar, Blake Coleman, and even Jonathan Huberdeau could all be candidates to get moved. There are also players like Anthony Mantha and Andrei Kuzmenko, who will likely be trade bait this season.
It’ll be fascinating to see where this goes. The road the Flames take really depends on how their season goes. Calgary isn’t expected to be very good this season, and there’s a chance that they could finish within the bottom five in the league. While patience is critical, Conroy isn’t going to wait too long to follow his plan. If the Flames get substantial offers for their veteran players, there’s a good chance that trades are made.
The more draft capital the team has, the better
The Flames would be seeking picks and prospects in return for these players. It’s never a bad thing to have more draft capital, especially for a team that’s already loading up the cupboards.
The Flames will have four first-round picks in the next two drafts. More first-rounders could be added if they’re active in the trade market. Assuming their scouting and drafting go well, the future for this franchise is insanely bright. Flames fans wanted a rebuild, and it’s about time the franchise took that step. The team is still in for some significant moves as the future of their veteran players becomes clearer.
One thing is for sure, though: Conroy has made it clear that he only wants to keep players who want to be in Calgary. While things may seem okay now, frustration can boil over as the losses pile up. Expect the Flames to be active in the trade market, as Conroy’s phone lines will likely be busy. The team can potentially acquire some serious assets for the future if a sell-off is indeed the result. At the same time, the veterans who remain in Calgary will be part of the solution to mentor the next generation.
Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire
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