Flames GM Craig Conroy still has work to do despite busy weeks ahead of NHL trade deadline

Calgary Flames GM Craig Conroy has been handling his business methodically. Only Noah Hanifin stands between him and his favourite cocktail a week away from the NHL trade deadline.

Some heavy lifting remains.

Conroy has worked his way through the list of pending unrestricted free agents and peddled every one of those who couldn’t be re-signed. Nikita Zadorov helped orchestrate his way out early with a public trade demand by his agent. Elias Lindholm followed, somewhat literally as he later joined Zadorov in Vancouver.

Chris Tanev was the latest to go as the Dallas Stars secured his services for the coming months.

The overall additions so far: three defence prospects, first, second and fifth-round selections in the 2024 NHL draft, a third rounder in 2026, two conditional picks and winger Andrei Kuzmenko.

Hanifin’s haul should be significant.

Another first-round pick, higher-end prospect or young roster player are starting points in the conversation, with additional picks or players entering the conversation.

The only hiccup may be the fact the two most talked-about teams in the conversation — the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning — don’t have the first-round draft capital the Flames covet. So things would have to get creative.

The Lightning don’t have a first rounder until 2026, and their prospect pool and young player content has taken a serious hit over the past few years of going all-in for the Cup.

Outside of top prospect Issac Howard (a 19-year-old left winger playing at Michigan State) and maybe maybe defenceman Nick Perbix from the current roster, there’s not much to get overly excited about in the Bolts cupboards. And with all the injuries on the back end, it might be unrealistic to expect them to part with a roster player unless Hanifin comes over in a sign-and-trade.

That scenario, including an agreed-upon extension, could escalate the price for contenders who are also in contention for Hanifin’s services.

The Calgary Flames defenceman, for the record, has an eight-team list of vetoes but wields more power through the pen if unwilling to sign long-term with any suitor.

The Bruins have more attractive prospects, including defenceman Mason Lohrei and centre Matthew Poitras. Poitras is injured but had graduated to the Bruins lineup this season — and the Flames need young centremen. Lohrei looked great against the Flames last month and clearly the team is in need of players who are NHL ready or close to it on the back end with Hanifin, Tanev, and Zadorov out. Fabian Lysell, a right-winger finding his way in the AHL, is the other higher-end prospect of note for the Bruins.

The New Jersey Devils and Flames have already engaged in talks for goaltender Jacob Markstrom, so there’s groundwork there. The former appeared to be showcasing young winger Alexander Holtz in their head-to-head matchup, but Dawson Mercer may be preferable. Oh, and the Devils have their first-round pick in the upcoming draft, too.

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Vegas Golden Knights, two other top teams talked about when it comes to Hanifin’s next home, both have first-round picks to offer in addition to options on the roster and prospect pool.

It’s up to Conroy to find a way to maximize value with his last major trade piece in spite of some of those challenges.

It makes this next week one to watch.