Insiders say the reigning Cup champs are in the mix for Calgary's pending UFA blueliner

Another day. Another twist in the Noah Hanifin saga.

With all of the trade action that took place on Wednesday, it was actually surprising the Calgary Flames were quiet and with little talk surrounding them by the afternoon, especially with the NHL trade deadline set for Friday.

That was until Elliotte Friedman dropped a nugget on X (formerly known as Twitter) by posting, “Not sure where all of this is going to go, but hearing Vegas has entered the Noah Hanifin conversation.”

As the Flames prepare to start a road trip Thursday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning, most of the talk surrounding Calgary’s coveted pending UFA defenceman has been linked to the Lightning. Hanifin has an eight-team no-trade clause, but reportedly has said Tampa Bay is his preferred destination, with other rumours that a contract extension has been agreed upon if the clubs can cobble together a deal. Adding to the difficulty in that regard is Tampa Bay’s lack of prospects and draft picks. The Lightning do not own a first round pick in each of the next two drafts, nor a second in this year’s affair. The Flames would like to do a sign-and-trade deal with the Lightning if it means a better return, but have other options.

The reigning Stanley Cup-champion Golden Knights, who on Tuesday acquired forward Anthony Mantha from the Washington Capitals and boast plenty of cap space with captain Mark Stone on long-term injury reserve, have plenty of draft capital, holding their first-round picks for the next three years, second-rounders in 2025 and 2026 and third-round selections in the next three years, too. Vegas has a below-average prospect pool, a byproduct of loading up season after season, but does boast a few intriguing players who the Flames could like, notably a couple of centres in 2023 first-round pick David Edstrom and 2023 third-round pick Mathieu Cataford, as well as skilled defenceman Lukas Cormier in the minors.

Hanifin is with the Flames in Tampa Bay, but if he’s not traded before Thursday’s game, will likely be held out to avoid the risk of injury. The Flames have already traded away a handful of pending unrestricted free-agents this season and have been in the rumour mill regarding a bevy of players, including goaltender Jacob Markstrom.