Who's Next On the Trade Block for the Calgary Flames?

The Calgary Flames traded Elias Lindholm, but there's still heavy speculation about what could happen with Chris Tanev, Noah Hanifin and Jacob Markstrom.

The Calgary Flames sending center Elias Lindholm to the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday marked the first big NHL trade of 2024. The focus now shifts toward which players the Flames might ship out next.

THN Calgary's Steve MacFarlane wrote the Lindholm deal signals Craig Conroy is open for business. He anticipates teams will be calling up the Flames GM with their best offers for Chris Tanev and Noah Hanifin. The two defensemen are slated to become UFAs on July 1 unless they sign contract extensions with the Flames.

Randy Sportak thinks Hanifin would fetch the best return. The 27-year blueliner was reportedly close to a contract extension before he shut down talks in October to see how this season pans out. While re-signing Hanifin would make sense even in a rebuild, the Flames could be forced to move him if he hasn't re-signed before the March 8 trade deadline.

Tanev, meanwhile, seems the most likely of the two defensemen to be traded. He's been a fixture in the rumor mill for months, with speculation linking him to several clubs, including the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs.

Sportak wrote that Tanev, 34, could bring the Flames a high draft pick and possibly more. The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun shares that view, speculating the return could be a second-round pick plus another asset. He thinks a team could probably get Tanev right away if they offer up a first-rounder.

Both pundits also mused over what Jacob Markstrom will make of all this. The 34-year-old starting goalie is signed through 2025-26 with an annual cap hit of $6 million and a full no-movement clause. LeBrun reported the Flames have received a few calls about him, but such a move (if it happens at all) might have to wait until the off-season.