Calgary Flames Gauging the Trade Market for Their UFA Defensemen

Calgary Flames defensemen Chris Tanev and Nikita Zadorov appeared in trade speculation this week. Could teams like the Oilers, Maple Leafs, Canucks or Bruins have enough space to make a move?

The Calgary Flames' early-season struggles have provided fodder for media trade rumors. Most of it focused on center Elias Lindholm and defenseman Noah Hanifin given their UFA eligibility next July.

It now appears the Flames could consider shopping not just Hanifin but fellow pending UFA defensemen Chris Tanev and Nikita Zadorov. During Monday's 32 Thoughts podcast, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman said he believed the Flames have started making phone calls to gauge the trade value for those blueliners.

Friedman wondered if the Edmonton Oilers would be interested, given the state of their defense this season. He also felt the Toronto Maple Leafs might have an interest in Tanev and Zadorov if they could find a way to pull it off.

Appearing on CHEK-TV's Donnie and Dhali show, Friedman also mentioned the Vancouver Canucks as a possible suitor. However, he cautioned that things could change quickly and didn't believe any trades were imminent.

Nick Barden on THN's Toronto site thinks the Leafs could use one of those defensemen to shore up their blueline. However, he noted that each one makes over $3.7 million this season, meaning the cap-strapped Leafs would have to shed significant salary to acquire one of them.

Boston Hockey Now's Jimmy Murphy recently observed the Bruins had expressed interest in Hanifin. However, he felt their cap limitations make it unlikely that they'll target expensive talent in this season's trade market.

The same also applies to the Oilers and Canucks. Unless it's a dollar-for-dollar swap or a third team acting as a trade broker, it's doubtful any of those Flames defensemen end up in Boston, Edmonton, Toronto or Vancouver.