Calgary Flames

Flames to Add “Significant Name” at This Year’s NHL Trade Deadline

There is chatter the Calgary Flames will try to add at least one significant name this offseason. Who might the team be targeting?

by
NHL Trade Talk
January 1, 2022

According to Salim Valji of TSN, the Calgary Flames are expected to be players at this year’s NHL trade deadline, are going to try and add at least one significant name and are willing to trade some important assets to get what they needed in an effort to contend in the 2022 postseason.

In a recent article, Valji wrote, “The 2021-22 season could be the final playoff run for this core, and [Brad] Treliving will augment it with at least one big move at the deadline.” Valji adds that he could easily see the organization try and reacquire former captain Mark Giordano from the Seattle Kraken, as “Darryl Sutter has said several times that the team needs more puck movement from the back end and Giordano’s skillset (plus ties to the city) make him an ideal fit.”

Mark Giordano Tyler Toffoli Calgary Flames trade targets?

But it won’t be just a defenseman the Flames try to chase down at some point this season. Saying the Flames might have eyes on a forward like Tyler Toffoli, Valji suggests Treliving will also bring in a top-six forward with term. There is expected to be some turnover in the forward group this offseason, so the Flames won’t just be looking to add a rental, but will want to pick up a player that will help this season and in future seasons, especially if names like Johnny Gaudreau (pending UFA) and Matthew Tkachuk (pending RFA) prove tricky to sign. So too, both Andrew Mangiapane and blueliner Oliver Kylington, are set to become restricted free agents and will seek hefty raises.

What Will the Flames Be Willing to Give Up?

Given their salary cap situation and their willingness to add prominent pieces, Valji suggests names like Nikita Zadorov and Dillon Dube could be expendable. The scribe notes, “Right now, the Flames have about $1.7 million in cap space and three picks in the first two rounds of the upcoming entry draft.” It’s not clear how much more room the team tries to clear up or how willing they are to move multiple draft picks.

Next: Mike Smith Injured Again, Ilya Konovalov Will Play Backup for Oilers