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Flames Rumours: Calgary Still Linked To Young Defenceman

By Nathan Smith

CALGARY, AB - OCTOBER 29: Travis Sanheim #32 of the Calgary Hitmen skates against the Spokane Chiefs during a WHL game at Scotiabank Saddledome on October 29, 2015 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)
CALGARY, AB - OCTOBER 29: Travis Sanheim #32 of the Calgary Hitmen skates against the Spokane Chiefs during a WHL game at Scotiabank Saddledome on October 29, 2015 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images) /
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The Calgary Flames off-season thus far has been full of chaos, but with Noah Hanifin, Elias Lindholm, Mikael Backlund and others all needing to have decisions made on them, it’s very clear that the roster could still look very different come October.

With Hanifin and potentially Chris Tanev on the move, the potential for the Flames to add a young blue liner in a trade is very high, so why not target a five-year player with ties to the Calgary area, especially given the amount of US born players looking to leave the Flames? Sure, this line of thinking has led many Flames fans to continue thinking about the possibility of adding Toronto’s William Nylander, but there’s another player out there with connections to Calgary, and now, NHL Insider Frank Seravalli has again connected Travis Sanheim to the Flames.

The Philadelphia Flyers were on the cusp of sending him west to the St. Louis Blues just a matter of weeks ago, and it appears they are still looking to offload the 27-year old, and with his years of experience in the WHL with the Calgary Hitmen, and the teams potential need on the blue line, the connection begins to make more and more sense.

In 416 NHL games, the left shot D-man has tallied 36 goals and 103 assists for 139 points all while playing for the rebuilding Flyers, and with their intention to move him, there’s plenty of suitors out there. If the flames opt to go for the retool and push for a playoff spot like many believe they are, Sanheim could be a cheaper option than the likely to depart Hanifin, and with Rasmus Andersson, Mackenzie Weegar and Oliver Kylington to build around, he could slot in nicely somewhere in the top-4.

Ultimately, it’s a move against what many fans desire, as they want to see the team go for a full rebuild and build a deep, talented roster, but if they don’t opt to go that route, adding young, experienced players with connections to Calgary could end up being a solid move.

So what do you think? Would Sanheim be a good addition to this blue line group? Should Calgary be looking to rebuild or retool? When do you think Hanifin/Lindholm will be moved? As always, let us know your thoughts in the comments. 

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