Flame for Thought
Fansided

Calgary Flames reportedly interested in Zack Smith for some reason

By Ramina Shlah

OTTAWA, ON - JANUARY 25: Ottawa Senators Left Wing Zack Smith (15) takes a moement during warm-up before National Hockey League action between the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators on January 25, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - JANUARY 25: Ottawa Senators Left Wing Zack Smith (15) takes a moement during warm-up before National Hockey League action between the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators on January 25, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Calgary Flames are reportedly interested in Zack Smith from the Ottawa Senators… and nobody knows why.

After Craig Conroy and multiple Calgary Flames scouts have been seen at Ottawa Senators games, rumours started circulating. At first, Erik Karlsson‘s name was getting thrown out there as a possible trade candidate for the Senators, and for some reason, the Flames name was thrown into that mix. But Karlsson coming to Calgary will most likely not happen.

There has now also been reports of Zack Smith being traded to the Flames and that’s why Craig Conroy was in Ottawa. Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun has reported that the Flames have expressed interest in Smith.

Via Ottawa Sun:

"The likes of Mike Hoffman, Zack Smith, Derick Brassard, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Johnny Oduya and Cody Ceci have all been mentioned as possibilities to get dealt before the trade deadline Feb. 26th at 3 p.m. EST.Smith, who is believed to have drawn interest from the Calgary Flames, said the players aren’t distracted by the discussions, but know they’re going to hear their names more and more until the deadline passes."

Related Story: Trade rumours - Erik Karlsson coming west?

Garrioch mentions it again in another piece where he talks about Smith not letting the chatter get to him.

Via Ottawa Sun:

"It’s believed the Calgary Flames are among the teams that have shown interest in Smith. The 28-year-old has an annual cap hit of $3.25 million through 2020-21."

Zack Smith coming to Calgary makes absolutely no sense. First of all, he’s basically a third/fourth line grinder. He’s currently on the Senators’ third line and has 12 points in 35 games. With a cap hit of $3.25 million, he is exactly someone the Calgary Flames DON’T need.

Besides, the Flames this season also have Troy Brouwer and Matt Stajan on that fourth line (Brouwer goes between third and fourth lines). Brouwer has a cap hit of $4.5 million through 2019-20 and Stajan’s cap hit is at $3.25 million, which ends this year. Getting Smith would make the Flames have the most unnecessarily expensive fourth line.

Next: Highlights of Jaromir Jagr as a Flame

Of course, this is all speculation and there’s no confirmation that this is who the Flames are after. But if it is, this is absolutely a step in the wrong direction. And all hell will break loose among Flames fans. They can be somewhat relentless.

Home/Rumors