Calgary Flames Potential Trade Deadline Deals

The trade deadline is rapidly approaching. The Calgary Flames look poised to miss the play-offs, but have an opportunity to improve their team moving forward.

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Before I get started I’d like to mention that I have taken into account player values and team needs, so sorry but I don’t think Jiri Hudler for Jonathan Drouin will be happening anytime soon, unless Yzerman is drinking some ‘special’ Kool-Aid on deadline day.

The only two things the Calgary Flames should be looking to add this next week is young players and picks; no point in adding another rental, or aging veteran.

The two needs I see the Calgary Flames pursuing are a young power forward, preferably right-handed, and the stockpiling of draft picks. After the Hamilton trade I think we can all agree that Treliving can work some magic by drafting or trading with a stockpile of picks.

The three players with the highest chance of being traded are Hudler, Russell and Jones.

Here are some likely trades to happen come deadline day:

Jiri Hudler has been quite good for the Calgary Flames as of late, especially when you compare it to his awful first half and could provide a team with decent secondary scoring.

Washington is undoubtedly the best team in the NHL, but they may look to add some insurance for a long play-off run. They certainly don’t need Hudler, but many teams seem to make superfluous trades on deadline day, especially when they feel that have a chance at the cup.

In order to get a first-round pick, the Calgary Flames might have to retain some salary but since Hudler is an unrestricted free agent with a reasonable contract this shouldn’t be an issue.

I am really hoping the Calgary Flames can get a first for Hudler, but if it’s just not there than a second would be palatable as well.

Other potential destinations: Florida Panthers, Dallas Stars, Los Angeles Kings or Detroit Red Wings

Although a groin issue currently plagues Russell, it apparently is only day-to-day. Unfortunately this could impact his value if teams believe that he will be playing injured for the remainder of the season.

The Calgary Flames likely can’t afford to re-sign Russell, especially with Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan cashing in this summer so trading him seems the best fit.

Except Dallas to push hard for Russell as they are pretty poor defensively and rely too much on offence to win games, adding Russell could really improve their overall defence, and solidify their top-six D.

In Brett Richie, the Calgary Flames get a big right-winger with lots of scoring pedigree and talent, but unfortunately has a questionable work-ethic and is inconsistent, with the right development he could be an impact player for the Calgary Flames.

Calgary desperately wants a big right-shot young forward so Brett Richie makes sense, but Dallas knows how rare players with size and skill are, so don’t expect them to part ways with Richie easily.

The trade may seem lopsided in the Flames favour, but Dallas could make this trade if they get desperate enough for a play-off run, especially when Russell is among the best defence-man available and missing out on him would really limit the Stars chances at the Cup.

Should this trade prove to rich for the Stars, than Dallas will probably be offering goaltender Jack Campbell as his name is in the rumour mill. If Ritchie is unavailable than Calgary should look at 20 year old Jason Dickinson who has put up impressive points in the AHL, with 40 points in 54 games.

Other potential destinations: Los Angeles Kings, Tampa Bay Lightning or Chicago Blackhawks

At this point Treliving should take any draft pick offered for David Jones. The Calgary native has been inconsistent to say the least in his tenure with the Calgary Flames, but still should hold some value for a team looking for a veteran depth forward.

His pending UFA status make him a solid rental player for a team not looking to break the bank and if marketed correctly, Calgary should be able to get a third or fourth round pick.

Other potential destinations: Chicago Blackhawks, Anaheim Ducks or St. Louis Blues

As much as I would love to see Hiller, Wideman, and Smid traded, it just doesn’t look probable.

Wideman is currently suspended, mired in a contentious feud with the NHL, and is a deteriorating player on an expensive contract for another year. Oh, and he won’t be getting any favourable calls from the referees anytime soon either. The Calgary Flames are likely stuck with him for another season.

With Ramo injured, I can’t see Calgary trading Hiller. I am not ever sure someone would want him after they way he’s been playing this season. He makes every save look difficult and is single-handedly improving the Calgary Flames draft lottery chances, so I guess he is good for something.

Next: Calgary Flames Losing Ramo Has A Silver Lining

Trade deadline day is only a week away, the Calgary Flames are all but out of the play-off picture, and they have lots of trade opportunities available. As mentioned some of them seem a little lop-sided to the Flames, but teams make mistakes on deadline day every year.

It’s time for Treliving to capitalize on that now.

Who will get traded from the Calgary Flames? What price will we get from them? Let us know in the comment section below.

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