Could the Flames' Sputtering Start Affect Contract Talks with Hanifin and Lindholm?

The Calgary Flames are off to a 2-6-1 start in the final year of contracts for Noah Hanifin and Elias Lindholm. How might the start affect negotiations?

Following an off-season of uncertainty, it appeared the Calgary Flames were on the right track to re-sign defenseman Noah Hanifin and center Elias Lindholm. Both players expressed their willingness during training camp to potentially sign new contracts.

On Oct. 23, TSN's Salim Valji reported the Flames were engaged in contract talks with the Hanifin camp regarding a long-term extension. The 26-year-old blueliner acknowledged those discussions were taking place but was coy about how far along they were.

Lindholm, meanwhile, has kept things close to the vest since the season began. The 28-year-old center indicated during training camp there hadn't been much discussion with management since early in the summer. However, Pierre LeBrun reported on Oct. 13 that the dialogue continued between the two sides.

However, the Flames are off to a sputtering start with a 2-6-1 record. That could affect those negotiations, especially if they don't right the ship soon.

In his Oct. 25 “32 Thoughts” column, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman expressed his belief that the Flames will continue closing toward an extension with Hanifin despite their rocky start. However, Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli believed those talks may have hit “a bit of a snag” due to the club's poor performance thus far.

Flames defenseman (and pending free agent) Nikita Zadorov recently called out his teammates as “too many individuals playing by themselves.” If things don't improve, perhaps Hanifin and Lindholm will reconsider their respective futures in the Stampede City.