The Calgary Flames scouting staff were at work in Toronto this evening as the Toronto Maple Leafs went down to the Montreal Canadiens.
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Exactly who they were looking at is a great question; especially given that the Toronto Maple Leafs are known to be a team intent on selling some assets come trade deadline.
The Calgary Flames are still a chance at making the play-offs and it shouldn’t be ruled out that they may seek to pick up a couple of rental players should they want to mount a challenge for the Cup.
As noted by David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period on Twitter, the Calgary Flames scouts weren’t the only scouts in attendance by any stretch of the imagination:
15 scouts/reps of 12 teams listed for MTL/TOR tonight: COL, LA, CAR, DET, CGY, AZ (2), CHI (2), NYR, DAL (2), OTT, WPG, STL
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) January 23, 2016
The first assumption is that the Calgary Flames staff were checking out James Reimer, who could prove to be the perfect antidote to the goaltending troubles that have plagued the Calgary Flames all year.
Related Story: Flames Goaltending Situation Continues To Intrigue
Reimer has been an absolute stand-out performer in the Toronto Maple Leafs net and could easily slot in as a number one goaltender until Jon Gillies is ready to step up onto the main Calgary Flames roster.
Related Story: When Will Jon Gillies Be Ready?
The Maple Leafs goaltender would likely expect similar money, if not a little more based on his numbers this year than Jonas Hiller, but is a good few years younger than the Calgary Flames Swiss international.
Whether it’s a trade deadline deal or one that waits to see if ‘Optimus Reim’ hits free agency is a much bigger question.
That is, of course, if that’s who the Calgary Flames scouts were looking at.
Outside of Reimer, it’s rumored heavily that the Maple Leafs will look to ship guys like Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau, Tyler Bozak, Roman Polak and Shawn Matthias come deadline day.
None of these guys seem like an obvious fit in the Calgary Flames organisation unless a much bigger deal goes down, but it’s obviously worth speculating. A scout wouldn’t have been sent for no reason.
Looking at the away team, the Montreal Canadiens; again, there are pieces that could work for the Calgary Flames, but unless they’re headed to the play-offs and the Habs don’t manage it – it seems unlikely that anyone will be looking to strike a deal.
Either way, the Calgary Flames scout in attendance was given the chance to witness a really fun game that deservedly headlined ‘Hockey Night In Canada’.
Next: Flames Need To Move Granlund To The Wing
Who do you think may have been the subject of the Calgary Flames scout? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.