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Flames Checking In on Availability of Multiple NHL Goaltenders

Could the Calgary Flames be offering up a pretty good player as they search for a new goaltender on the NHL trade market?

According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Calgary Flames are actively scouring the current NHL market and basically checking in on every available goalie. Friedman reports he believes the Flames talked with the Columbus Blue Jackets and reached out to the Arizona Coyotes, among others. Perhaps more interesting than the fact they are looking around, is what they might be willing to offer up in return.

Friedman added, “Depending on what’s available, they could do a big revamp of their blue line.” Spefically, he believed Noah Hanifin’s name was discussed.

Hanifin is one of only three current blueliners signed to a deal with the Flames past this season. The others are Rasmus Andersson and Mark Giordano. A $4.95 million cap hit, Hanifin isn’t cheap, but he’s certainly not the most expensive defenseman being potentially dangled in the trade market this offseason and his production could warrant some interest from other teams. He’s also locked in for four more seasons and that could have value for teams looking for some cost certainty.

Just 23 years old, he scored five goals and added 17 assists for 22 goals in 70 games this season. The year before, he was a 33-point player for Calgary. He certainly has some offensive upside and his numbers have marginally increased every season since coming into the NHL as a Carolina Hurricanes draft pick in 2015. He was selected fifth overall in that year’s draft.

Noah Hanifin Carolina Hurricanes
Noah Hanifin Carolina Hurricanes

Who Might Be Interested in a Goalie for Hanifin Swap?

If the Flames have reached out to the Coyotes, perhaps they’ve talked about taking more back than just a netminder. The Coyotes are looking to shed salary and the Flames seem to have some. They seem to want a draft pick.

In Pittsburgh, the Penguins are trying to move Matt Murray, but after adding a couple pieces already this offseason, taking on more salary than they are shipping out doesn’t make sense. Would there be another player in Pittsburgh that could entice the Flames? The Pens are looking to get their first-rounder back.

What about in Toronto, where the Maple Leafs might be looking to move Frederik Anderssen? A Hanifin for Anderssen swap could work for both teams but it would require the Leafs go out and add another goalie and potentially the Flames retain a little salary on Hanifin’s deal should the Maple Leafs not throw in another contract.

Next: Both Flames and Oilers Have Looked at Ekman-Larsson Trade [Report]

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