Sportsnet analyst Eric Francis recently provided insights into the Calgary Flames’ anticipated activity leading up to the NHL trade deadline during an appearance on Sirius XM NHL Network Radio. Francis suggested that the Flames might face challenges in executing numerous significant trades, attributing this to a potentially limited number of highly coveted players on their current roster.
Francis expects Blake Coleman to be the most probable candidate for a trade, noting the substantial interest he has garnered across the league. He indicated that a potential trade involving Nazem Kadri is more likely to materialize in the offseason, as facilitating a deal for Coleman would be considerably simpler. Beyond Coleman, Francis speculated on minor trades that could involve players like Ryan Lomberg or Brayden Pachal, possibly yielding late-round draft picks. Overall, he doesn’t anticipate the Flames’ roster undergoing a drastic transformation post-deadline.
Further discussions surrounding the Flames’ trade strategy have consistently highlighted Blake Coleman and Nazem Kadri as central figures in ongoing trade rumors. Zach Whitecloud and Ryan Lomberg are also frequently mentioned in speculative talks. Recent observations, including the presence of Colorado Avalanche management (like Chris MacFarland) and Flames GM Craig Conroy at a Flames-Ducks game, suggest active discussions are underway.
A significant factor in any potential Kadri trade is Calgary’s willingness to retain a portion of his salary, given his contract has three years remaining. This financial aspect, alongside the implications of a possible Cale Makar contract extension, remains a critical consideration. Blake Coleman has been linked to the Dallas Stars and Tampa Bay Lightning, while Kadri has also been a rumored target for the Stars. However, reports suggest the Stars are hesitant to take on long-term contracts due to their priority of retaining Jason Robertson. The potential trade availability of MacKenzie Weegar has also been raised, marking him as another player to monitor closely.
