Calgary Flames Extend Or Sell: Noah Hanifin

The Calgary Flames have been the centre of many trade rumours early in the off-season, and while fans are often split on which players the Flames should extend and which they’d trade, there’s seemingly an agreement on one player, and that’s defenceman Noah Hanifin. The 26-year old was acquired by Calgary back in 2018 in the same deal that landed them Elias Lindholm, and after 359 games played for the C of Red, they have the biggest possible decision to make this off-season.

Over that time, he’s become beloved in Calgary, scoring 31 goals and 125 assists for 156 points over those five seasons, but with several names locked in long-term and the team likely hesitant to lock in yet another piece until their mid to late 30’s, they may need to get top value for him now. While his prime is still years away, Hanifin has locked in 598 games of experience, Hanifin’s value may never be higher, as he is coming off the two best years of his career, so now is the time to capitalize if the team want to land a top forward.

With names like Alex DeBrincat, William Nylander and Pierre-Luc Dubois among others all expected to be on the move this off-season, the Flames need to use their surplus defensively to land one of them to boost their forward group, and unfortunately for fans of No. 55, he may be the odd one out. Mackenzie Weegar, Rasmus Andersson, Oliver Kylington, Chris Tanev and others are all capable of playing the role, but as we saw in 2022-23, offence was the problem for Calgary, and it needs to be fixed right away.

Verdict: Hanifin has been an absolute warrior for the Flames over the past five years, making the trade with Carolina a solid one for both parties, but with the team being set on the blue line and needing major help up front, moving Hanifin is a must this off-season.