The Calgary Flames’ lack of elite talent has been the main focus for fans ever since Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk left the organization in 2022. It’s clear that in today’s NHL, to win championships, you need high-end, talented players to lead the way. As of right now, the Flames don’t have any true game-breaking players besides Zayne Parekh and Dustin Wolf, but the team also isn’t going to be a Stanley Cup contender anytime soon.
The only true ways teams can acquire elite talent are through the draft, free agency or via trade. Very rarely do we see big-name players hit the trade market regularly in a league where players are loyal to their teams. When it does happen, it’s a huge deal. Well, according to one prominent insider, two players from the Buffalo Sabres could soon be hitting the trade market. Those players are Rasmus Dahlin and Tage Thompson.
Big-name Sabres players could soon hit their breaking point
According to Elliotte Friedman, he hints that both Dahlin and Thompson have indicated their displeasure with the current state of the Sabres’ organization. With the Sabres starting the season 1-3, it’s less than ideal given the team’s desperation to get back into the playoffs. Here’s what he has to say courtesy of the 32 Thoughts podcast.
“We basically know that two of their franchise players, Dahlin and Thompson, have indicated that it has to get better this year. That we just need to see improvemnt, we need something to believe in. That’s why I think the Sabres don’t have a long runway for this.”
The Sabres are a team that hasn’t seen postseason action since 2011. It would make sense that many of their current players could eventually hit their breaking point and want out. After all, we’ve seen this happen with so many former Sabres such as Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart and Brandon Montour. Could Dahlin and Thompson be added to that list?
Would the Flames be interested in any of these players as trade candidates?
Let’s say both Dahlin and Thompson officially hit the trade market. There would be no shortage of teams that would line up for their services, including the Flames.
Let’s take Thompson, for example. He’s currently the Sabres’ number-one centre who’s on a bargain of a contract and who’s also only 27 years old. He would instantly slot in as the Flames’ best player down the middle, a position where the team has struggled to find true talent.
Dahlin would also be an intriguing trade target. While he’s making substantially more money than Thompson, $11 million per season to be exact, he would become the Flames’ best defenceman on the left side. Pair him with a player like Parekh in the future, and that could be a nasty pairing to play against.
In short, the Flames would no doubt be interested in one or both of these players if they became available for trade, as they would instantly fulfil Calgary’s need for elite talent.
What would it take for the Flames to pursue Thompson or Dahlin?
In my opinion, it would make more sense for the Flames to pursue a player like Thompson. He fulfills an organizational need and is on a great contract. With that being said, I’m sure the Sabres would demand a king’s ransom in trades for either Thompson or Dahlin.
I can’t even think of what the Flames would need to give up. It definitely would involve a first++. Buffalo would likely eye one of Calgary’s top prospects (Cole Reschny, Cullen Potter), and a first-round pick would be a must. As for roster players, I’m not sure if the Flames would have many players who’d interest the Sabres. The only ones I could think of are Parekh, Wolf, Matt Coronato, and Connor Zary. The Flames are for sure not parting with either Parekh or Wolf; maybe Coronato and Zary could be potential pieces.
I think it would make total sense if the Flames pursued Thompson as a trade candidate. He’s big, can score and would be the Flames’ number-one centre heading into the new arena. Is it realistic? Depends on who you ask. If the Flames can come up with the right package, by all means, pull the trigger on it. But at this stage, overpaying wouldn’t benefit them either.
