The Flames rightly claimed another defenceman for their corps that is expected to see more changes this week

With their defence corps in flux leading up to Friday’s trade deadline, the Calgary Flames wisely grabbed a free blueliner via waivers on Tuesday by nabbing Joel Hanley from the Dallas Stars.

Hanley, 32, has played 183 NHL regular-season games for the Montreal Canadiens, Arizona Coyotes and Stars, as well as 33 playoff clashes. A left-handed shooter who can play on both sides, he has collected three assists and 23 penalty minutes in 32 games this season.

The Flames are expected to deal away Noah Hanifin before the deadline and on their roster have three other defencemen who are pending unrestricted free agents in Oliver Kylington, Jordan Oesterle and Dennis Gilbert. Whether anyone from that trio dealt away is uncertain, but the Flames are more prepared for that possibility with eight defencemen to start a road trip that kicks off Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Hanley is the third player Calgary has claimed off waivers this season and second defenceman, having nabbed Brayden Pachal last month. The Flames also face the Florida Panthers on Saturday and Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday on this trek.

Curiously, trading Chris Tanev to the Stars last week essentially forced Dallas to expose Hanley, who is signed through the 2024-25 season with a $787,500 salary cap hit.

“I don’t think anyone’s been a better soldier around here in my time here than Hanley,” Stars coach Pete DeBoer said on Monday when Hanley was placed on waivers. “He gives you everything he’s got every time he’s asked to, sits for extended periods and comes in and is ready to go and contribute. So, it’s a tough day not just for the group but for him.”

DeBoer said he’d be happy for Hanley if he was claimed, even though it means a loss to his club’s depth.

“I think he’s an NHL player. You always hope he can stay in the NHL,” DeBoer said. “If it’s somewhere else, it’s somewhere else. That’s a chance we have to take.”

The Flames also placed forward Connor Zary on injured reserve retroactively to Saturday, which leaves him ineligible to play before Sunday’s clash in Carolina.

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