The Calgary Flames have started their toughest road trip of the year. After a commanding 3–1 win against the Washington Capitals, the team has been shut out two games in a row while travelling through Florida. This road trip is particularly important as Flames sit one point behind the Vancouver Canucks for the final wild card spot in the West with the trade deadline in less than a week.
In other words, the team has an opportunity to show Craig Conroy if he should tender offers towards a playoff run or look towards the future. With Seth Jones being dealt to the Florida Panthers Saturday, rumours and trades will only ramp up throughout the week as more big fish get taken off the market.
We wanted to know what fans think Flames General Manager Craig Conroy should do as the team approaches the trade deadline.
We asked, and you answered.
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How many trades will the Flames make?
We presented the below poll to our readers.
Buyers
Just over 10% of fans think the Flames should be buyers at the upcoming trade deadline, the least voted-for option. If the Flames were looking to add talent, we know Craig Conroy isn’t likely to entertain players older than 25 or rental players. If a significant piece is coming to Calgary, they’ll be looking for a longer term addition, likely with offensive upside. Buffalo Sabres’ Dylan Cozens or Colorado Avalanche’s Casey Mittelstadt could be names Conroy would consider bringing in at the right price.
However, it’s starting to feel like Craig Conroy has already made his big move, trading for Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee from the Philadelphia Flyers. Although there hasn’t been much success for Farabee up to this point, Frost looks promising, and there’s still much more time needed before judging the trade’s success. It would be surprising to see the Flames be buyers approaching the deadline, especially if they continue to slide on this road trip, but you never know what could fall into Craig Conroy’s lap as the week plays out.
Sellers
Roughly 60% of fans think the Flames should sell at the deadline. By far the winner this week, selling at the deadline has been popular in Calgary the last few years. Rasmus Andersson and Nazem Kadri have garnered the most trade discussion throughout the season, but Conroy has said multiple times that neither will be dealt before the end of the year, if at all.
Andersson is entering the final year of his contract and will easily command $7–8M per season on his next deal. Entering his 30s and already having turned down offers from the Flames to extend, it’s not inappropriate for Flames fans to consider moving the Swedish defenceman. He’s a fan favourite who has been a staple on Calgary’s blue line for years, but his trade value will never be higher, and the value on his next contract is at an obvious disadvantage to the team.
After Seth Jones was dealt to the Florida Panthers on Saturday, it appears the market for top four defencemen is hot, with the Blackhawks receiving a first-round pick and a grade A 23-year-old goalie in Spencer Knight. It appears the Flames could easily fetch a first-round pick plus for Andersson.
The Kadri front seems even less likely. The veteran Stanley Cup Champion would be a crucial asset to any playoff team with valuable experience and proven performance in the clutch. That is exactly why the Flames want to hang onto him so desperately. He’s a difference-maker in big moments on big teams and would be a major contributor if the Flames do make the playoffs.
On the trade market, the team could get a first-round pick back, plus more if they retain on his salary. Beyond all of this, though, Kadri has a no-movement clause and would have to approve of any trade, regardless.
The Flames could command a strong return for one or both players if Craig Conroy decides they no longer fit with the Flames’ future plans.
Bystanders
Roughly 30% of fans think the Flames will be bystanders at the upcoming trade deadline. It seems increasingly likely that the Flames will be relatively quiet at the deadline. Ultimately, Conroy has made a big move already this season, and the team hasn’t responded in any drastic way. The longer the team looks the way they did in yesterday’s game against the Panthers, the less likely it is that Conroy makes any substantial additions.
On the other side of the argument, Conroy has said time and time again that they’re committed to keeping Kadri and Andersson long-term. If anyone were to hit the market, it seems Blake Coleman would be the only option at this point. However, as long as the team is in the hunt for a playoff spot, none of those key veterans will be available.
Kind of your typical rock and a hard place situation. Not having a ton of success, but not entirely sucking either. That often results in one of two things at the trade deadline: rash decisions or nothing, and I don’t think Craig Conroy feels like making a rash decision.
Offseason trade potential
Although Flames fans continue to dream of first-round picks and young centres, Craig Conroy is steadfast in his promise to keep this core of players together for the remainder of the season. If any big pieces are to move, don’t rule out the offseason. Andersson could still be moved if the parties don’t agree on a contract, and Kadri may decide he’d like to take a stab at another cup on a contender.
With the current roster and a hot hand from Dustin Wolf, the Flames could be a difficult out in the playoffs. But if the Flames can’t start producing offence, this team is going nowhere. I think all Flames fans can agree on that.
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