Five Summer Trade Candidates for the Calgary Flames

The Calgary Flames did exactly what they needed to do at the trade deadline under General Manager Craig Conroy, but the work has only just begun, with this summer shaping up to be just as pivotal to the future of the franchise. While most fans are looking towards the 2024 NHL Draft or the intriguing class of free agents, Conroy has proven that he can be very effective in the trade market, and with many more veterans on the team, we could see some more blockbusters on the way.

The Flames may not be going into a full on rebuild like many are hoping/expecting, but we know that they are looking towards the future, with an eye on the 2026-27 season and the opening of a new arena, meaning that many veterans could be in play. So while Calgary may not move all of these names, with the summer approaching and plenty to look forward too, these are five names to keep an eye on in the trade market.

5. Andrei Kuzmenko

The Calgary Flames just acquired Andrei Kuzmenko from the Vancouver Canucks in the Elias Lindholm deal, but at 28-years of age in just his second NHL season, his value may lay firmly in the trade market. In 15 games since the trade, Kuzmenko has become a fan favourite with his unique, infectious personality, but with his pending free agency next year, teams may be willing to pay more in the summer than they would as a rental ahead of the trade deadline.

In 15 games since joining the Flames, Kuzmenko has tallied a solid 5 goals and 3 assists, despite dealing with health issues along the way, so if the Flames find a market for him, he could clearly be productive for a playoff contender. Beyond that, the team are constantly scratching players like Matt Coronato and Jakob Pelletier or putting them on the fourth line, and making this trade would allow them the opportunity to open up a key spot in the top-nine for one of them.

4. Andrew Mangiapane

2021-22 was a magical season for the Calgary Flames, with career years from both Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk, and while they turned that into opportunities elsewhere, Andrew Mangiapane used a career year to land a major extension in Calgary. In that season, Mangiapane tallied an impressive 35 goals while playing all 82 games for the Flames, but since that point it's not hard to miss the drop off, with just 30 goals scored over the next two seasons in 148 games played.

Sure, he still plays on the Flames most effective and consistent line alongside Blake Coleman and Captain Mikael Backlund, but the grit and production that we became used too just hasn't been there, with him notably going missing quite often. It's unclear what the market for Mangiapane would be, but if he can finish this season strong, opening up a spot alongside Coleman/Backlund and moving off that contract would be a major win for Craig Conroy and the Flames.

3. Jacob Markstrom

The Calgary Flames made some huge moves at the recent trade deadline, but one thing that they didn't do was trade Jacob Markstrom, a move that many expected, especially after his Vezina level play to begin the 2023-24 campaign. In 41 games this season, Markstrom has put together an impressive 2.68 GAA and a .910 save percentage to go along with five assists, but with the team not going anywhere now or in the final two years of his contract, a trade just makes most sense for both parties.

With the New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings both reportedly interested at the trade deadline, it's safe to say that this summer he will have many more teams interested, with a potential bidding war helping the Flames return massively. It's unclear whether or not the front office would sign off on a deal, but with Dustin Wolf emerging and potential options as veteran backups, this team would best suited to trade Markstrom while his value is at its highest at 34-years of age, so this is the most likely deal to be made by Calgary in the summer.

1. Nazem Kadri

When he signed a seven-year deal with the Flames in the summer of 2022, Nazem Kadri appeared ready to help this team make sustained pushes at the Stanley Cup, but after almost two seasons, it appears he's not going to get that chance. When the topic of rebuild comes up, the first name that many Flames fans think of is Kadri's future, as he's made it clear that he's not open to a rebuild, and if that's the case, moving him in the summer after a very strong season makes sense.

Sure, Craig Conroy must have doubts about moving him given that center is the weakest position in their lineup, but with his production still solid, netting 23 goals and 59 points in 68 games this season, they need to move him before his value begins to decline. Breaking up the trio of Zary-Kadri-Pospisil also isn't ideal, but with Connor Zary as a natural center, he could take over that role in his second year, making Kari the most likely player to be traded. It's unlikel that he'll net a major return given that he's under contract until he's 38-years of age, but if they could land an future assets, now is the time to make a deal.