The Calgary Flames appear no closer to moving Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev, but a growing list of teams are rumored to want one of them. Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAzNzg4ODU5NDM4Mjc4MjA0/usatsi_22258548_168400847_lowres.jpg] Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev As the March 8 NHL trade deadline approaches, it's expected the Calgary Flames will be moving Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev. Both defensemen are slated to become UFAs in July and aren't expected to re-sign with the Flames. The Hockey News' Randy Sportak [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/calgary-flames/latest-news/noah-hanifin-provides-exhibit-a-why-the-calgary-flames-want-to-keep-him-or-can-expect-a-big-haul-in-a-trade] considers Hanifin to be the most sought-after defenseman on the market. He thinks the 27-year-old will fetch a big haul for Calgary, especially after his three-point performance in the Flames' 6-3 win on Saturday over the Edmonton Oilers. So far, there's little indication that management is any closer to trading Hanifin or Tanev. Sportsnet's Eric Francis [https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/with-flames-having-stranglehold-on-trade-market-patience-could-maximize-returns/] said GM Craig Conroy is being patient, hanging onto both blueliners in the hope of garnering maximum returns as the deadline nears. Francis believes Hanifin could bring in a first-round pick, a top prospect and an NHL roster player for the Flames. He thinks the return for Tanev could be two pieces, including a second-rounder, though they'd like to add a first-round pick. Meanwhile, THN's Steve Macfarlane [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/calgary-flames/latest-news/calgary-flames-need-more-players-like-sharangovich-in-nhl-trade-deadline-returns] said the Flames need more young players like Yegor Sharangovich in any return for Hanifin or Tanev. Sportak recently noted [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/calgary-flames/latest-news/the-boston-bruins-need-defencemen-the-calgary-flames-boast-defencemen-to-trade-is-a-deal-to-be-had] that Boston Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm is sidelined week-to-week with a leg injury. He wondered if the Bruins might be interested in one of the Flames' blueliners but pointed out they have little trade capital and limited salary-cap space. On the Bruins' site, Rob Couch [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins/players/it-is-hanifin-or-bust-for-bruins] says it's Hanifin or bust for the team. In his column for The Athletic [https://theathletic.com/5298793/2024/02/26/stars-nhl-trade-deadline-plan-jim-nill/?source=emp_shared_article], Pierre LeBrun cited league sources claiming the Dallas Stars have a strong interest in Tanev. Taylor Newby compared Hanifin and Tanev on THN's Stars site [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/dallas-stars/latest-news/a-better-fit-in-victory-green-chris-tanev-vs-noah-hanifin] to see who would be the better fit. Meanwhile, his colleague Sean Gentille [https://theathletic.com/5301141/2024/02/27/noah-hanifin-flames-lightning-trade/] thinks the Tampa Bay Lightning has a reasonable shot [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning/latest-news/lightning-predicted-to-land-flames-star-defenseman] at acquiring Hanifin, while Jonas Siegel [https://theathletic.com/5298764/2024/02/27/maple-leafs-trade-deadline-targets-defense/] included Hanifin and Tanev among the blueliners he considers to be logical fits for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
