Add Noah Hanifin To The Departures Level: Calgary Flames Defenceman 'Going To The Market' According To Elliotte Friedman

Flames have pushed to keep Hanifin in the fold but as the trade deadline looms and no deal in place, signs point to him being dealt, too

The sun came up, thus another day the Calgary Flames dominate the rumour mill.

As their playoff hopes fade away — Saturday’s 5-0 home loss to the Detroit Red Wings has Calgary riding a three-game losing skid — the speculation around the Flames continues to amp up.

The latest big splash came from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman’s statement that defenceman Noah Hanifin is not likely to re-sign with the club, and likely to be dealt along with fellow pending unrestricted free-agent blueliner Chris Tanev before the March 8 deadline.

Friedman said Saturday night:
“I think it’s too much for the organization and the players, to be perfectly honest. But it’s very difficult to avoid it because I think a lot of teams are waiting on Calgary, even though they’ve made two trades already, for the other two to three they could possibly make.
"Now, the team isn’t commenting, the agent isn’t commenting, but it’s pretty clear from just everything we learned today that Noah Hanifin is going to the market. And I think there are Canadian teams interested in him, but I think long-term the U.S. teams are more confident that they’re going to be the ones that are able to sign him. But it’s very clear to me without any confirmation from team or agent that Noah Hanifin is going to market, and the action has picked up around them.”

The Flames have been trying to keep Hanifin in the fold. The 27-year-old with more than 650 games to his credit is capable of playing big minutes in all roles. However, he reportedly pulled back earlier this season when a deal was close. The Flames would be looking at a significant return via trade. Adding to the intrigue, Flames senior vice-president of hockey operations Dave Nonis has scouted three consecutive Boston Bruins games. Hanifin hails from the Boston area.

The trade talk has not ended at Hanifin and Tanev. Goaltender Jacob Markstrom is in the fourth season of his six-year contract with a $6 million cap hit and no-movement clause, but also the subject of rampant rumours. Markstrom was reportedly close to being dealt to the New Jersey Devils recently, a trade apparently scuttled by the Flames reluctance to retain salary.

Friedman had insight on that situation, too: “I just think it’s a situation where he’s said ‘Look, when you have an offer bring it to me and I’ll make my decision.’”

Dealing Markstrom in the summer may be easier, and could involve more suitors, but the next two-plus weeks will be filled with intrigue.