Since Craig Conroy took over as general manager of the Calgary Flames the direction of the organization has been clear. Get younger, get draft picks, and rebuild this roster into a contender for the future. Ideally, to be competitive when their new arena opens. Over the last year Conroy and the Flames have shipped out 7 core players; including starting goaltender Jacob Markstrom, top-four defencemen Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev, their first line centre Elias Lindholm, their leading goal-scorer from the 2022-2023 season, Tyler Toffoli, and solid NHLers Andrew Mangiapane and Nikita Zadorov. Fans should expect this trend to continue. Here’s a look at 5 flames who could be on their way out before the 2025 trade deadline passes.
5 Flames Who Could Be Traded Before The End Of This Season
1. Nazem Kadri – C – 33 years old – 5 year remaining at $7 million AAV
Kadri is coming off a solid season with the Flames where he was arguably their best forward. He finished the season with 75 points and managed to stay healthy for all 82 games. Kadri is a Stanley Cup winner and known around the league for being a solid two-way centre. He is exactly the type of forward contending teams will be looking for to push them over the top. The only things holding back a trade from Calgary are Kadri himself, who holds a no-movement clause, and the contract. At 33 years of age with seven years remaining, no team in the league will be able to take on the full contract. The Flames will have to retain a good portion of the salary to get any value from moving Kadri. Luckily for the Flames they have plenty of cap space, and should be willing to make this move for the right assets in return. Kadri has said publicly he enjoys Calgary and is not looking to leave, but recent reports from insider David Pagnotta suggest that Kardi would be willing to waive his no-movement clause for the right situation, and that the Flames are willing to explore possible trades.
2. Rasmus Andersson – D – 28 years old – 2 years remaining at $4.5 million AAV
Prior to this past trade deadline Kevin Weekes of ESPN said Rasmus Andersson was drawing interest from teams around the league.
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In addition to @NHLFlames Hanifin , and Tanev ; I’m told another one of their D, Andersson is now drawing interest as well. Given his age, $4.5M AAV for 2 more years, he’s an attractive piece for potential suitors. #HockeyX #Flames pic.twitter.com/qZZzdWySXz— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) February 16, 2024
It’s easy to see why teams would have interest in Andersson. He’s a proven top-four defenceman who can log over 20-minutes a game for the past four seasons. He is sound defensively and can win puck battles while bringing some physicality to his game. He is a good skater who can make a solid first pass and can contribute offensively. Andersson would boost any teams top-four and would provide a good return for a rebuilding Flames team. If the Flames don’t see Andersson as a long-term piece he will be on the move. At just 28-years of age with a very palatable contract of 4.5 million per season, there will be plenty of teams interested.
3. Andrei Kuzmenko – LW – 28 years old – 1 year remaining at $5.5 million AAV
After two season in the NHL, the best way to describe Andrei Kuzmenko’s NHL career is, a rollercoaster. His first season with the Vancouver Canucks in 2022-2023 was incredible. He racked up 39 goals and 75 points while learning the NHL game. It appeared like the Canucks had found a future superstar. Fast forward one season later, and Kuzmenko was struggling to find ice-time and being scratched by new Canucks bench boss Rick Tocchet. When the Flames acquired him from the Canucks many dubbed it as a throw in to balance the incoming salary of Elias Lindholm. Despite a slow start, Kuzmenko managed to put up 25 points in just 29 games with the Flames. It will be up to Kuzmenko to prove to the league he can be the player from his first NHL season. If he gets off to a good start there is a chance Calgary would consider resigning Kuzmenko. Goal-scoring is hard to come by, and whatever you think of Kuzmenko he can score goals. However if teams come calling, Conroy would be foolish not to listen.
4. Blake Coleman – LW – 32 years old – 3 years remaining at $4.9 million AAV
Coleman is a fierce competitor, great leader, and a good guy. The type of veteran player a rebuilding team would love to have around their young players. However, At 32 years old, he doesn’t exactly fit the timeline for when the Flames expect to be competitive again. Although you can’t trade away all your veteran players he could be moved. Coleman is coming off a career year that saw him net 30 goals and 54 points. He is a two-time Stanley Cup champion and would be the perfect depth piece for any contending team. As Nick Alberga of Leafs Nation wrote, he would be a great fit for Toronto, not to mention countless other teams. With his value at its highest now, the Flames need to consider moving him. Stocking up on prospects or picks for a player coming off a career year is the exact type of move the Flames should be making. Expect Coleman’s name to come up in trade rumours from now until the trade deadline.
5. Anthony Mantha – RW – 29 years old – 1 year remaining at $3.5 million AAV
The Flames just signed Anthony Mantha on July 1st, but the reality is, any Flames player on an expiring contract should expect to be moved. Like Andrei Kuzmenko there is a world where the Flames consider resigning Mantha if he turns out to be a good fit and the price is right. However, it’s more likely that Mantha is moved by the trade deadline for future assets. Mantha is a big body, who can skate and has an excellent shot, however he has never been able to truly find his fit in the NHL. He has never managed to break 50 points in a season, although he has scored 20 goals 3 times including last season. When at his best Mantha is an effective goal scorer and a good NHLer. The Flames will look to give Mantha every opportunity to put up points on an offensive line and on the power play in hopes of maximizing his return at the deadline.
Last season for Flames fans was more about waiting to see what would happen with UFA’s. This year looks to be much of the same. With plenty of Flames who will be discussed in trades, fans should expect more veterans to be moved.
Main Photo: David Gonzales-USA TODAY Sports
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