Flames are reportedly shopping a forward, putting Brad Treliving and the Maple Leafs in a tricky spot
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
The Calgary Flames are sending mixed signals on their future over whether they want to rebuild or not.
Despite prior indications from the Flames ownership that the team was not looking to commit to selling off their key stars such as Nazem Kadri, despite being in last place, a new report indicates Calgary may have some trade interests after all.
According to Anthony DiMarco of ‘Daily Faceoff’, the Calgary Flames are reportedly looking to move a forward with a logjam of options in their group.
The report is the first sign of the Flames desire to be sellers this season after owner Murray Edwards went on the record to say that there was no interest in trading Kadri earlier in the season.
While Kadri may be a player Calgary isn’t looking to part with, the Flames mentality of wanting to stick to their group is changing as the season progresses and Calgary finds themselves still in last place.
Why the Flames are reportedly shopping a forward right now
The Calgary Flames are willing to move on from some of their forward options, but only ones that make sense and doesn’t hurt the Flames ability to contend in the long-term.
Even in last place, the Flames aren’t too worried about the word “rebuild”, and there’s an argument it’s for the best.
The New York Islanders, a team that kept much of their top talent, has reaped the rewards of having an experienced roster alongside 2025 first overall pick Matthew Schaefer, who has shown high caliber talent early on in his rookie season.On the flip hand, 2023 first overall pick Connor Bedard struggled for a Chicago Blackhawks team lacking secondary options, giving less support than Schaefer has in New York, and Macklin Celebrini in San Jose.The Calgary Flames can afford to move on from some of their more expensive contracts, such as Blake Coleman with two years remaining at $4.9M, allowing to build a team around a potential top prospect such as Gavin McKenna rather than once again start from scratch.
Where Brad Treliving and the Maple Leafs fit into this
The Toronto Maple Leafs have been discussed in trade rumors involving the Calgary Flames on a couple of different fronts.
Nazem Kadri has been linked with a potential return to Toronto with the Former Leaf reportedly being floated in talks, but as noted, ownership is reluctant to move Kadri.
Recently, Toronto was connected to defenseman Rasmus Andersson, with former Leaf and current analyst Jay Rosehill reporting that sources indicated interest in Andersson from Leafs and former Flames GM Brad Treliving.However, Darren Dreger reports that acquiring Rasmus Andersson would be difficult due to the Leafs having already traded much of their picks and top prospects in other deals, with the only young names of value being Matthew Knies and Easton Cowan.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are positioned to be buyers, the Calgary Flames reluctant sellers, but it remains to be seen if the two are a match for each other and find a deal that aligns with the goals of both teams.
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Flames are reportedly shopping a forward, putting Brad Treliving and the Maple Leafs in a tricky spot
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