The Calgary Flames played their 41st game last night at home against the Los Angeles Kings. The team snuck out the win in a close game that saw a Jonathan Huberdeau crease-crashing goal, a handful of unbelievable Dustin Wolf saves, and Ryan Lomberg dropping the gloves not once, but twice. It also featured an injury (Walker Duehr), a lack of offence, struggles in the face-off dot and penalty trouble. The game was a perfect representation of the Flames season thus far.
This combination of scrapping off wins and having glaring issues with their systems and lineup has put the team in a difficult position. There’s obviously a need to add talent to the lineup—especially at centre—and winning games only encourages the team to address it. But, at what cost?
That prompted us to ask what fans thought. Should the Flames look to explore the trade market in the second half of the season, and if so, to what degree?
We asked, you answered.
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Should the Flames explore the trade market?
We presented the below poll to our readers.
Should the #Flames try to acquire reinforcements in the second half of the season?
— The Win Column (@wincolumnCGY) January 11, 2025
Anything to help
Only 7% of fans think the Flames should try and add any help they can get prior to the deadline. It seems the majority of fans are on the same page this week that if the Flames are to add anyone through a trade, they should be under 25.
One player that would be narrowly excluded from that U25 category that has also had immense trade buzz surrounding him is Vancouver Canucks centre Elias Pettersson. The 26-year-old centre achieved his first 100-point season two years ago but has struggled at times throughout his career. It’s an idea that’s been floated around but the Flames would likely have to forfeit a ton of young talent and draft capital to take on a player with a hefty contract and potential risk.
The Flames should not test the market
Roughly a quarter of respondents think the Flames should hold tight and only explore the market if they plan to sell. It’s the lowest risk option long-term, with the keyword being long-term. The rebuild was supposed to be in motion and the team has exceeded everyone’s expectations sitting only a point out of a playoff spot at the halfway point.
Adding anyone via trade means sending an asset away. The only situation that makes sense to add in this mindset is if the Flames acquire an attractive draft pick to take on an unfavourable contract.
It’s obvious the team desperately needs help down the middle, and Conor Zary’s injury doesn’t make that easier. Even if the Flames brought in a bottom-six centre right now, that doesn’t help their dried-up prospect pool at the position and could also risk attaining another player who doesn’t fit the timeline of this organization’s greater plan.
What does make sense for the short term is what the team did Friday by promoting the fourth leading scorer in the AHL—and also a centre—Rory Kerins from the Wranglers. It seems more appropriate to give 22-year-old Kerins an opportunity with the big club in response to Zary’s injury rather than heading straight to the trade market for that particular issue.
U25 player or U25 centre only
It was almost an even split between any U25 player and U25 Centre with both sides collecting roughly 35% of the vote. It’s clear that Flames fans have a specific time frame in mind and it’s not this season. Craig Conroy has spoken in length about the team’s desire to add a centre under 25 and the majority of Flames fans have echoed that opinion.
The need for a centre is glaring and the timeframe for any additions to the team is tied to a hopeful two- to three-year rebuild. It’s clear the Flames didn’t have any expectation of winning this season and no matter how much it potentially disappoints the players or the team, they shouldn’t push to add talent that doesn’t serve the long-term goals of the franchise even if it can help them make the playoffs this season.
Adding young talent is difficult, established players at that position and age are hard to come by. The ones that are really worth your while are pricey, but the Flames also have assets that have been rumoured to entertain trades. Rasmus Andersson and Nazem Kadri’s names have swirled in the background throughout the season. With Andersson’s success this season and his pending contract extension now could be no better time to capitalize on his trade value. Not to mention Nazem Kadri’s established playoff pedigree that would likely be welcomed by numerous teams in the hunt for a playoff spot.
This is where capitalizing on any player under 25 comes in. If it becomes clear one of those big fish wants out or would entertain the idea of a trade, you have to test the market and see what’s out there. There could be the opportunity to find a winger or defence man that also fits the plan.
Can I trade the Flames?
It feels ridiculous to be disappointed with wins but each point in the standings makes the hairs on my neck stand straighter and straighter. It’s not that I don’t trust Craig Conroy—I don’t trust Murray Edwards and his desire to sell playoff tickets. We love the desire to compete, but at times you have to be realistic.
Look at the Nashville Predators of last season who knocked off the Vancouver Canucks in the first round after a streaky underdog run to the playoffs. After losing in the second round, the team has fallen on its face back to reality—despite making moves in the offseason to improve. It seems eerily similar to the Flames’ situation this season, being the underdog in the playoff hunt that no one expected to surpass the 70-point mark prior to the season.
The wins are great for the culture, and bad for the rebuild. But at this point, the only thing being rebuilt is my expectation that I will get to watch winning hockey at Scotia Place.
If this group scrapes by and sees a first-round playoff exit, I can handle it. But, giving up unnecessary assets for trades to favour this season will only set this franchise back further and further, and if this week’s poll says anything it’s that the vast majority of fans agree.
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