Calgary Flames
Flames Shopping For Scoring Winger: Keep An Eye on Blues Trade
The Calgary Flames are reportedly looking to trade for a scoring winger and reports are that the St. Louis Blues might be a trade partner.
Elliotte Friedman noted during the 32 Thoughts segment of Hockey Night in Canada that the Calgary Flames — losers of seven-straight games — are in the market for a scoring winger. The Flames have had real trouble scoring goals with the new roster they assembled over the summer, but the expectation was this new-look Flames team would compete and potentially win the Pacific Division. So far, things have not gone according to plan and there are already rumblings that there might be issues in the room.
The two things (coach and player issues) might not be connected. Friedman noted, “You know I heard this week the Flames have been looking around for a scoring forward, I’ve been told it’s been going on since August so I don’t think there’s anything pressing on that one right now. I do think if there’s a team to keep an eye on right now it would be St. Louis.”
Related: Is Friction Growing Between Flames Players and Coach Sutter?
The Blues have also been a team stuck in the rumor mill of late. They too have struggled and there’s talk that GM Doug Armstrong is seriously considering shaking things up with names like Ryan O’Reilly and Vladimir Tarasenko potential trade candidates. Tarasenko has a no-trade clause in his contract, but he did ask out and wanted a trade in the past. It’s not clear if he’d be willing to waive to go to Calgary. If he would, there would need to be some salary cap work done to fit in his $7.5 million contract.

On the more cost-effective side of things, the Blues do have pending UFA Ivan Barbashev. He is off to a slow start, but has 26 goals last season. His contract is only worth $2.25 million for the rest o this season and while that’s still not in Calgary’s zone to fit another contract in, it’s a much easier fit if there’s some salary retention involved or a contract goes back the other way.
Next: Chabot Injury Could Speed Up Senators’ Trade For a Defenseman

