Flames Fire Sale: Could These 3 Players Be Traded Next?

The Flames' rebuild seemingly ended with the offseason trade of Jacob Markstrom to the New Jersey Devils. Potentially the last of the big names dealt in an effort to sell assets and pivot towards an eye on the future, the organization traded Tyler Toffoli, Elias Lindholm, Andrew Mangiapane, Nikita Zadorov, Chris Tanev, and Noah Hanifin. 

That's a lot to unload in a short period of time, but are the Flames done?

As the team prepares for the 2024-25 NHL season, there are a few names to watch for as GM Craig Conroy puts the final touches on his roster reinvention. 

Andrei Kuzmenko is about to play the final season on a deal he was given while with the Vancouver Canucks. Set to make $5.5 million this season, it's a big year for the winger. If he plays well and hits numbers that match his 29 games with the Flames last season, Conroy might invest in the winger long-term. If not, Kuzmenko becomes an interesting name to watch at the deadline. 

Playoff contenders are always looking for goal-scoring; this is what Kuzmenko excels at, even if his strength isn't a 200-ft game. He might be a rental for a team that needs offense and he could fetch a solid return if he's putting up numbers in Calgary. 

With two seasons remaining on his current deal, Andersson is the kind of player who could be in for a hefty contract raise. At the very least, he'll be asking for one. However, there will be questions about Calgary's willingness to invest in him as part of their rebuild, seeing as he's 27 years old, will be 29 when he's up for renewal and a long-term deal puts him into his late 30s. 

He might make for a better trade piece to a team looking for a solid blueliner who isn't necessarily a rental. If the Flames can find a team that has an open window to win over the next couple of seasons, Andersson's team-friendly $4.55 million deal is attractive. 

Signed to a one-year deal in free agency, adding Anthony Mantha might have been as much about finding some experienced offense as it was taking a flyer on a player with solid flip potential. He doesn't exactly fit the mold of the kind of players the Flames are marching forward with. 

If Mantha produces, his $3.5 million salary becomes easy for contenders to accommodate if the Flames eat 50% at the trade deadline. He's 29 years old and has a handful of 20-plus goal seasons on his NHL resume.