Calgary Flames: Five Off-Season Rumours That Are Realistic
The Calgary Flames off-season has been a chaotic one thus far, with the team moving on from both Brad Treliving and Darryl Sutter, before a thorough search landed them with two internal hires of Craig Conroy and Ryan Huska, and now, the fun can truly begin.
After a disappointing 2022-23 campaign that saw Calgary stumble and fall all the way out of the playoffs, there’s pressure on the front office to make some big moves this off-season, as the organization are reportedly not interested in any type of a rebuild, and now, the rumour mill has hit overdrive.
Like every off-season however, not all rumours are made the same, as some are just too wacky to imagine, and while the others aren’t always going to come true, they may be a bit more realistic. Today, we are going to comb the rumour mill and take a look at five Calgary Flames off-season rumours that are somewhat realistic.
5. The Calgary Flames care likely moving on from Noah Hanifin
The Calgary Flames need to make some big moves this off-season, and with a solid depth on the blue line, moving 26-year old Noah Hanifin seems to be the best choice, with many NHL insiders picking him as a top trade candidate this off-season. Despite his young age, Hanifin already has 598 games of experience at the NHL level, but he’s yet to hit the prime of his career, and it appears the Flames could land an absolute haul for him.
This is one move Flames fans could almost guarantee this off-season, and while he’s no doubt been beloved for his five seasons in Calgary, the team need to continue learning the best asset management possible, and in this case, it means moving on from No. 55.
4. Mikael Backlund could be named Calgary Flames captain
For some reason, the Calgary Flames are yet to name a captain since the departure of Mark Giordano in the latest NHL Expansion Draft, but one thing that General Manager Craig Conroy has promised is the naming of a new captain this off-season. There’s a few options on the current roster, but none more so than the longest tenured Flame Mikael Backlund, and if he’s given an extension this off-season, he is the most likely to be given the ‘C’ this off-season.
Ultimately, the team need to name a new captain after a lack of leadership became evident throughout the season, but if not Backlund, keep an eye on both Rasmus Andersson and Mackenzie Weegar for the coveted role.
3. The Calgary Flames could deal Dan Vladar with a familiar face
While the focus for many Flames fans in the trade market has been their top three free agents for the 2024 off-season, Calgary find themselves in a tough spot with the goaltending, and after two standout AHL seasons from Dustin Wolf, he needs to start the 2023 season on the NHL roster. Unfortunately for Dan Vladar, he appears to be the odd man out, because despite some impressive performances, his cap hit is much more manageable than starter Jacob Markstom, so now, could a familiar face come into play?
According to Flames reporter Eric Francis, the idea of moving Vladar with former General Manager Brad Treliving in Toronto is a very real possibility, but no matter what, it appears to be the end of Dan in Calgary… now we wonder who could be involved in that move with the Maple Leafs.
2. The Calgary Flames could trade for a Toronto Maple Leafs star
Obviously Dan Vladar isn’t bringing the Flames a superstar in return for nothing, but if they can add in some of their top assets, the Flames should no doubt be looking to land Maple Leafs superstar and Calgary kid William Nylander. After years of playoff failures, it appears the Leafs are going to head into the 2023 off-season looking for a big shake up, and with Noah Hanifin, Tyler Toffoli and other assets to sell, it appears to be a match made in heaven.
This may be the least realistic option on the list, but if the Flames are hopeful about building a winner for the present and the future, they should go all out in acquiring another top talent for their top line, and there’s no better option than a home town kid.
1. The Calgary Flames should trade Tyler Toffoli for a haul
When the Calgary Flames landed Tyler Toffoli from the Montreal Canadiens during their stellar 2021-22 regular season run, it was seen as a move that could make them a genuine contender in the Western Conference, but unfortunately, we all know what came next. The following season however, Toffoli went on to have a career best season, racking up 34 goals and 39 assists for 73 points, and now, the Flames must move him for a haul of assets.
It was just over a year ago when the Flames found out first hand that betting on free agency can hurt the team, and while this isn’t the same situation, the team need to handle their assets better going forward, and if moving Toffoli lands them several first-round picks, a high-end prospect or a younger forward, they need to make the move.