Calgary Flames Rumours: Star Defenceman Drawing Trade Interest

The Calgary Flames have plenty of crucial decisions to make this off-season, with seven key players having one year left on their deal, and with some potential star players already locked in, this team has a chance to add plenty of talent around them. One name that has come up in trade talks among Flames fans more than others is defenceman Noah Hanifin, who was acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes in the Elias Lindholm deal back in 2018, and now, it appears his time in Calgary could potentially be coming to an end.

According to NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman, No. 55’s name has been coming up in trade conversations around the league, with plenty of teams likely to gauge the Flames interest in moving Hanifin in the coming days and weeks, and with a solid D-core led by McKenzie Weegar, Rasmus Andersson, Chris Tanev, Oliver Kylington, Nikita Zadorov and a potential reunion with Troy Stecher, it makes sense for Calgary to explore a move.

In five seasons with Calgary, Hanifin has appeared in 359 games, racking up 31 goals and 125 assists for 156 points, and with size, hockey IQ and versatility, he could be one of the best names on the trade market this off-season as some teams are gearing up for deep Stanley Cup runs in 2023-24. The 26-year old still has plenty left in the tank too, as he has played in 81 in each of the past two years, putting up a combined 81 points over that time, so right now, it could be a matter of when, not if he is dealt by the Flames for a top winger (with other assets included) or for future assets that will allow Calgary to replenish their prospect pool.

Ultimately, Hanifin plays in a position the Flames are quite set at with plenty of depth and top-tier talent, and with the Flames needing to recoup some assets or attempt another re-tool, it just makes sense to move on from Hanifin, so we will see what type of offers the Flames either get or offer for the five-year Calgary star.