The Calgary Flames are off to a 1-6-1 start and have scored just 13 goals over their first eight games.
TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun reports Flames general manager Craig Conroy is exploring trade options in hopes of kick-starting his offence, but action is currently quiet on the trade front.
“There’s a lot of frustration with the Flames organization about their lack of scoring, and 32nd in the NHL right now, 1.5 goals a game,” LeBrun explained Thursday on Insider Trading. “It’s mind-boggling, and frankly, it’s not a new problem. They were 29th in the league in scoring a year ago, so it’s a problem that continues.
“GM Craig Conroy isn’t sitting on his hands. He is making calls and exploring the trade market, trying to find out what exactly is available out there that could potentially help his team offensively. Easier said than done. We’re so early in the season. Teams normally aren’t ready to engage in this type of trade activity yet, not until U.S. Thanksgiving, but certainly Calgary trying to get an early look at what’s out there.”
The Flames have been outscored 29-13, also sitting 27th in goals allowed per game to compound their issues.
Goaltender Dustin Wolf, who broke out last season with a 29-16-8 record with a .910 save percentage and a 2.64 goals-against average, is 1-5-1 to start this season with his save percentage dipping to .875.
“I mean, I can’t generate offence,” Wolf said after a 2-1 overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday.
“I do my job, I try to keep the puck out of our net, and hope that our guys can generate a couple. I’m glad we got one there. We got a point, but we’ve got to keep working to find more offence.”
Flames set to call Blue Jackets on Chinakhov
LeBrun reports Columbus Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakhov is generating interest on the trade market, with the Flames expected to be among the teams picking up the phone.
“More and more calls coming in on Yegor Chinakhov, who asked for a trade after last season,” LeBrun explained. “He’s a 2020 first-round pick of the Jackets and he asked for a trade because he basically was scratched from most of the late-season run that saw the Jackets come so close to making the playoffs. He’s only played in three games this year – all of those played in the last three games on the fourth line.
“There were 26 scouts from other teams at his first game up here last week against Colorado. Among the teams that we believe have checked in with Columbus on him include the Toronto Maple Leafs, who we know are looking for a forward upgrade. Detroit, Florida, Buffalo and certainly given what I just said, for sure the Flames will be checking in.
“Having said all that, the Jackets don’t want to just dump this guy because he’s asked for a trade. You know, they want to make a hockey deal. They’re not looking for draft picks and frankly, they feel they’re one injury away in their top nine from needing him in a more meaningful way, so this is far from a done deal, but more and more calls on him.”
The 24-year-old winger has one assist in three games this season. He had seven goals and 15 points in 30 games with the Blue Jackets last season, a drop-off from finishing with 16 goals and 29 points in 53 games the previous year.
He remains signed through this season at a cap hit of $2.1 million and is scheduled to hit restricted free agency in July.
Chinakhov made his NHL debut with Columbus during the 2021-22 season, posting seven goals and 14 points in 62 games, which remains his career-high for games played in a season.
In 178 career games, the native of Omsk, Russia has 34 goals and 72 points.
