This season isn’t even a month old, but
already trade rumors are dogging the struggling Calgary Flames.
It began just before the season opened
with speculation about Nazem Kadri’s future. By mid-month, there was
talk that they were in the market for a reliable backup goaltender.
The conjecture has intensified as the
losses mount and the Flames wallow at the bottom of the standings.
TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported last
Thursday that the Flames were frustrated over their lack of
production. He indicated that Flames GM Craig Conroy was
exploring the trade market for help, but it’s difficult to find
suitable deals at this point in the season.
In his column for The Athletic, LeBrun
added that the Flames could become sellers if their fortunes didn’t
improve soon.
LeBrun believes Rasmus Andersson is the
Flames’ best trade chip. The 29-year-old defenseman is eligible to
become a UFA next July. He carries an affordable
average annual value of $4.55 million and a six-team no-trade list.
TSN’s Chris Johnston reported recently
that Andersson was open to an eight-year contract extension. However,
he believes Flames management wanted to see how this season pans out.
Kadri could also be in demand.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported the 35-year-old center is
drawing a lot of attention, but he’s not going anywhere until he’s at
least reached his 1,000th regular-season game. He played his 995th
game on Sunday against the Rangers.
Friedman also noted that Kadri’s
no-movement clause has reverted to a 13-team no-trade list. He thinks
that interested teams will want to know if they’re on that list and
what it might take to convince him to change his mind.
Daily Faceoff’s Anthony Di Marco
observed that Andersson had been linked to the Vegas Golden Knights
during the off-season. He thinks the Montreal Canadiens could be a
landing spot for Kadri, while two NHL executives he spoke with
consider the Vancouver Canucks a more likely destination.
Andersson would be the easiest to move
if the Flames become sellers. He’s younger than Kadri and carries a
more affordable contract, plus he’s a physical, right-shot defenseman
who can log big minutes.
Kadri’s agitating two-way style and
Stanley Cup experience make him an enticing trade target, but he also
carries an average annual value of $7 million through 2028-29. Even with a rising
salary cap, that contract could become a burden should his play tail
off in the final years of that deal.
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