Will the Calgary Flames Trade Noah Hanifin or Chris Tanev Next?

The Calgary Flames trading Nikita Zadorov last week has brought up new rumors and speculation about their other pending UFA D-men.

It's been a week since the Calgary Flames traded Nikita Zadorov to the Vancouver Canucks on Nov. 30. It led to ongoing speculation over whether Noah Hanifin or Chris Tanev becomes the next defenseman to get shipped out of the Stampede City.

Both blueliners are eligible to become UFAs next summer. Hanifin, 26, carries a cap hit of $4.95 million with an eight-team no-trade list while the 33-year-old Tanev's cap hit is $4.5 million with a 10-team no-trade, according to PuckPedia.

The Athletic's Jonas Siegel has Tanev and Hanifin on his list of proposed trade targets for the Leafs. Most of the speculation links Tanev to the Toronto Maple Leafs, whose defense corps needs shoring up with John Klingberg, Timothy Liljegren and Mark Giordano sidelined by injuries.

Last Friday, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported they could put their focus on the Toronto native, pointing out Leafs GM Brad Treliving signed Tanev when he was GM of the Flames. The following day, Friedman said Treliving attempted to acquire Tanev and Zadorov. However, the deal fell through because the two clubs couldn't agree on the cost to the Flames to retain up to 50 percent of their salaries.

Meanwhile, Boston Hockey Now's James Murphy cited TSN's Pierre LeBrun last week suggesting the Flames could be open to a sign-and-trade scenario involving Hanifin. Murphy cited an NHL source suggesting the Bruins could be interested. However, their limited cap space likely takes them out of the running.

GOPHNX.com's Craig Morgan acknowledged recent rumors linking Hanifin to the Coyotes but considered them “a bit exaggerated.” He felt they'd do so only if they don't give up any of their top prospects and if they could sign him to a contract extension.