The Bolts don't have top picks in the next two NHL drafts so top prospects are the key to any deal with the Flames

Calgary Flames defenceman Noah Hanifin’s first choice of trade destination may be the Tampa Bay Lightning, but that isn’t necessarily what’s best for the provider of his current paycheck.

However, working with the pending unrestricted free agent’s representatives and potential trade partner is one way to get the most in return for Calgary’s last big trade chip destined for a new home before the NHL trade deadline passes this week.

(Goaltender Jacob Markstrom could go, too, but is less likely despite the recent events).

Hanifin has a 10-team no-trade list, which eliminates nearly a third of the league. Take into account that that majority of suitors at the moment are playoff contenders, and that limits it even more.

And if Hanifin is not willing to sign an extension, his value as a pure rental is less than if he’s extending — so there’s a lot of player control in this situation despite the fact he can’t technically control his destiny this season.

It’s likely the Flames are exploring a number of potential deals at the moment, with time ticking away ahead of the March 8 NHL trade deadline: rental deals involving a top pick, prospect and young roster player, and sign-and-swaps that should expand on that.

With the Lightning, the complication is the lack of first round picks for the next two drafts. They don’t have one until 2026. No second-rounder this year, either. Which means draft capital either comes in future years or in the form of multiple picks already made.

So what could a trade look like with Hanifin’s first choice?

Look at the possibility of multiple top prospects in addition to future draft capital or roster players that fit the Calgary Flames blueprint (of adding players under 26, as an example).

With Oliver Kylington expected to re-sign with Calgary this summer, and both Rasmus Andersson and MacKenzie Weegar under contract, the Flames could look at 25-year-old Nick Perbix. He’s turning 26 in June and in just his second NHL season. He has upside as a right-shot defensive defenceman, however, with a jump in points and ice time this year with the Bolts. But with the injury to Mikhail Sergachev, the Lightning may not want to lose the depth on the blueline for the upgrade at the spot.

On the prospect front, the lack the young centreman the Flames covet but have a pair of promising wingers in left winger Isaac Howard and right flanker Ethan Gauthier — son of former Calgary Flames defenceman Denis Gauthier. The senior Gauthier was no stranger to hard work and that’s a characteristic of his 19-year-old son, too. He’s not overly flashy but was a 30-goal, point-per-game player in the QMJHL last season and has cracked that mark again this year with 32 goals and 62 points through 55 games for the Drummondville Voltigeurs.

Howard transferred to the Big-10 this year, joining Michigan State, and has eight goals and 31 points in 32 games in the NCAA this season. He’s more of a playmaker at this stage but is strong and confident and both forwards could develop into top six, or at least top-nine players at the NHL level as a floor.

Jack Thompson, another right-handed defenceman, is developing well at the AHL level with a handful of goals and 32 points in 46 games this year. He was a third-round pick in the 2020 draft. Howard was selected 31^st overall in 2022. Gauthier was a second-rounder in 2023.

If, for example, the Flames were to acquire a choice or two of these prospects, along with a first-round draft pick in 2026 and a third-rounder this year or second-rounder in 2025, there might be enough to work with for the Flames to package the 27-year-old Hanifin with an eight-year extension drawn up.