Flames performance so far has shown they're anything but a playoff threat, and the time has come to cash in on some trade assets
It’s no secret the Calgary Flames will be a power broker at the NHL trade deadline in the coming weeks.
The back office has a plan in place, though, they’re not talking about it. But it should be clear at this point of the season what the next steps should be. At least when we’re talking about pending unrestricted free agents. The 2-4-0 record during the six-game homestand at the Saddledome was telling. So is the 22-22-5 record.
Flames GM Craig Conroy is a smart man. He has to know at this point that it’s in his best interest to sell any assets he can move out for the best return possible to focus on the future.
With a clear mission to put it all on the line for those six games on home ice before the bye week and all-star event, the Calgary Flames didn’t look like a team emptying the tanks. It looked like the tanks were already empty.
Other than the goaltender, Jacob Markstrom, who may be the only reason the record is anywhere near .500 this season.
His stellar performance in the pre-beach finale, combined with a rather fortunate powerplay goal from Elias Lindholm, is definitely the only thing that prevented the Flames from losing to the Chicago Blackhawks for the second time in a span of a couple of weeks. A Blackhawks team without Connor Bedard.
“With their eight breakaways — that I was on for seven of them — and without Marky we probably would have lost this game,” defenceman Rasmus Andersson said after Saturday’s game.
Yeah, the defensive play has not been good. Lindholm, A Selke finalist two seasons ago, admits things have been challenging.
“I feel like every game we're giving up a lot of grade As or breakaways,” Lindholm said. “This last stretch has been tough for us.
“Our game hasn't been good enough and, obviously, when we play at home, we want to play well and play good in front of our fans. We haven't given them good reason to be here."
As a result, it’s almost certain Lindholm won’t be “here” much longer.
With an expiring contract, high-number hopes for his next deal, and a rapidly depreciating value based on his play during this difficult season, Lindholm will move to a contender.
So, too, will Chris Tanev and perhaps Noah Hanifin. Tanev deserves to compete for the Stanley Cup. Hanifin would be the most attractive to re-sign, but the fact an extension hasn’t happened yet is a good indication, he’s not willing to commit based on what’s happened so far.
Maybe the Flames can explore new deals with both expiring d-men after the season, but they have to ship them out at the NHL trade deadline first if nothing is signed by then.
The play on the ice this year, especially the past couple of weeks, might be an indication the Flames players are already resigned to their deadline fate. They sure haven’t shown with any conviction they want to stick together.
“I thought there was six, seven guys that came to play,’ head coach Ryan Huska said of the last game before the break. “That's not enough.”
Not nearly.