The Calgary Flames are arguably one of the most perplexing teams in the entire NHL.
How does a team, with a roster that includes names like Mikael Backlund, Elias Lindholm, Jonathan Huberdeau, Nazem Kadri, Noah Hanifin, Rasmus Andersson, MacKenzie Weegar, Nikita Zadorov and Jacob Markstrom, have a record of 5-8-2?
How does this team sit in 11th place in the Western Conference?
The Flames, after a win against the Montreal Canadiens Tuesday night, are 26th overall in league standings. They have some huge roster decisions to make in the coming days, weeks, and months. Pro scouts, from both contending teams and rebuilding teams, will be flocking to Flames games to get as much intel on their roster as possible.
To me, it feels like a significant reset is required in Calgary. This team, and the way it is currently constructed, doesn’t give me enough confidence to suggest they can rebound from their slow start and make a push for playoffs.
A couple weeks ago the Flames hit the pause button on negotiating extensions with any of their pending unrestricted free agents and that makes sense for both the team and the players. Hanifin, Lindholm, Zadorov, and Chris Tanev are all on expiring contracts.
Believe it or not the Flames have a nice opportunity in front of them. There is significant interest in all of their pending UFAs. Their individual value ranges, of course, but Calgary has a chance to add NHL ready talent to their group if they play their cards right.
SCOUTING REPORTS AND POSSIBLE TRADE RETURNS
I’m a bit torn about how Lindholm would slot into a contending team’s lineup. He generally skates on the top line for the Flames, but it feels like he would be better suited as a second line centre on a high-end team.
Over his past six games Lindholm’s time on ice has consistently hovered around 22 minutes, with the exception being one game against Ottawa where he finished with 18:39. He’s used in all situations, but hasn’t scored a goal since Oct. 20.
Lindholm, 28, isn’t a physical forward. He’s more of an area defender in his zone. He tries to create turnovers in the offensive zone by jumping to space quicker than his opponent.
Lindholm can push the pace in transition. He’s a solid skater who, when attacking with speed, can drive defenders back with the pace of his attack. Once settled in the offensive zone he’s best described as equal parts shooter and distributor. Having said that, he’s more natural directing pucks on net than making elite plays to line mates.
Lindhom is a plus-77 over his past three seasons, but off to a minus-4 start in 2023-24. The entire Flames team is just off in most categories and Lindholm is no different. His execution, and detail, has room to go to another level — especially his responsibilities in the defensive zone and consistency in the face-off circle.
I expect the Flames to be asking for the same kind of return San Jose received last year when they traded Timo Meier to the New Jersey Devils. The trade included a lot of conditions, but the core of it was a first-round pick and top prospect (Shakir Mukhamadullin).
Hanifin, meantime, is only 26 years old. He could end up bringing back the biggest return of this group when traded.
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NHL ROLE 2ND PAIRING D  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 | Provided By: Jason Bukala, The Pro Hockey Group / CapFriendly | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Most of the Flames roster has struggled with consistency to start the season. Hanifin is no different. The ‘2-way D’ has averaged nearly 23:00 TOI and been deployed in all situations. He’s an excellent skater who’s quick to space in the defensive zone and can lead, or join, the rush offensively. Hanifin has an under utilized shot. He can beat NHL goalies clean from range. He needs to get more pucks to the net. Some nights the puck hasn’t bounced his way, but his (-8) rating through 14GP is the worst amongst Flames defenceman. His outlets, gap timing, and overall detail has room to improve. A mostly area defender. Active stick. Some bump along the wall. Pending UFA. Only 26 years young. A top four ‘D’ who can slide into the #1 pairing when needed. | ||||||||||||||||||
Provided By: Jason Bukala, The Pro Hockey Group / Sportsnet / CapFriendly | ||||||||||||||||||
A couple years ago the Anaheim Ducks traded Josh Manson to the Colorado Avalanche, so we’ll start there to find a comparable deal:
Given the fact Hanifin has more upside offensively, I feel it’s safe to assume the Flames would be asking for a first-round pick and a top prospect (maybe more) in a trade involving Hanifin.
Tanev is a proven warrior who empties the tank every night and is best described as a two-way, matchup defenceman. The bulk of his ice time comes at even strength and the first penalty killing unit.
In his past six games Tanev’s ice time has ranged between 18:03 and 22:11. On Nov. 11 Tanev skated 16:10 at even strength and an incredible 5:43 on the PK versus Ottawa. He was credited with four blocked shots.
Tanev arrives on time in all three zones and, occasionally, will skate the play up ice on his own. He’s generally responsible with the puck. His outlets are crisp and accurate.
Any offence that he produces, however, should be considered a bonus.
Tanev turns 34 in December and his next contract will likely max out at two years, maybe three at the most. He’s dealt with his fair share of injuries over the course of his career, which isn’t a coincidence considering the hard minutes he plays every night and he approach he takes with his game.
It’s only a matter of time before his body can’t take the hard minutes it absorbs, but he would be a nice addition for a team looking to bolster its defence corps in hopes of a deep playoff run.
I believe the cost of adding Tanev will be more expensive than it was for the Toronto Maple Leafs to add Luke Schenn at the deadline last spring – but cheaper than the Manson trade outlined above.
Zadorov will be skating for his fifth NHL team when he’s eventually traded. When a player requests a trade it usually makes it more difficult for the team to get fair market value, but Zadarov is already garnering interest from several teams. I think the Flames will be asking for a first-round pick (and perhaps a prospect) for Zadorov’s services.
If I’m the team buying the Zadorov stock I’m way more comfortable spending a second-round pick than a first. It will depend on the market, but Zadorov is a bit of an unpredictable player and teammate.
Here is my latest report on Zadorov:
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NHL ROLE 2ND PAIRING D | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provided By: Jason Bukala, The Pro Hockey Group / CapFriendly | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The team interested in acquiring Zadorov will be looking to add an extra layer of physicality, penalty killing depth, and defensive match-up strategy versus top nine forwards. In is last 5 game segment, Zadorov has been deployed between 15:33 – 18:25 TOI. He’s primarily used at ES and the PK. In the segment he’s been credited with 9 hits and 4 shot blocks. He pushes the play, offensively, on occasion and has the ability to get pucks to the net from range. Zadorov has directed 5 shots on goal in the segment. Zadorov is easy to find. He’s a, hulking, ‘2-way D’ who’s size, and length, disrupts the flow for opponents trying to make plays around him off the rush and in the offensive zone. When he properly times his gaps he hits opponents with brute force. There are nights his read/react timing and adjustments are off, resulting in opponents sliding behind him on zone exits and Zadorov having to chase the play back into his zone. | ||||||||||||||||||
Provided By: Jason Bukala, The Pro Hockey Group / Sportsnet / CapFriendly | ||||||||||||||||||
THE LOGJAM IN NET
Dustin Wolf has done all he can at the AHL level to prove to the Flames brass he is NHL ready. His record is an incredible 82-21-6 playing for the Calgary Wranglers.
Dan Vladar’s start to the season hasn’t been great. He hasn’t had a save percentage above .900 in any of his starts so far.
Which brings me to Markstrom, who has also struggled out of the gate to start the season. Though his 2.72 GAA and .905 save percentage are better than the numbers he posted last season (2.92 GAA and .892%), he can certainly play more consistent.
It’s my opinion that teams are calling on Vladar, and maybe Markstrom as well, but the Flames don’t have to overreact. They are in a position of potential strength between the posts. But they would also be foolish not to move out one of either Markstrom or Vladar to make room for more Wolf.
With Vladar only having a cap hit of $2.2 million he might be the best option to move so that Wolf can get more NHL playing time behind the veteran Markstrom.
With data from The Pro Hockey Group and CapFriendly
