Flames Poised to Be Major Players at the Deadline - as Sellers
With the Olympic trade freeze nearing its end and the March 6 deadline looming, the Calgary Flames are shaping up to be one of the NHL’s most active teams - not in pursuit of a playoff push, but as a club looking to sell off valuable assets. Sitting 29th in the standings, the Flames are in clear retool mode, and the phone lines in Calgary are expected to stay busy.
They’ve already fired the first shot. Rasmus Andersson, long viewed as one of the team’s top trade chips, was dealt to the Vegas Golden Knights in January.
That move set the tone, and it’s unlikely to be the last. The Flames still have a handful of veterans who could draw serious interest from contenders looking to bolster their rosters.
Kadri and Coleman Drawing Interest
Two names that continue to swirl in trade discussions are Nazem Kadri and Blake Coleman. Both bring playoff experience, versatility, and the kind of gritty, two-way play that teams covet in the spring.
Kadri, with his edge and ability to contribute in all situations, could be a difference-maker in the right lineup. Coleman, meanwhile, is the kind of player who quietly makes your team better every night - a relentless forechecker with a championship pedigree.
Beyond those two, there’s been chatter around depth pieces like Zach Whitecloud, Ryan Lomberg, Joel Hanley, and Brayden Pachal. None of them would be headline-grabbing acquisitions, but each offers something teams need in the postseason: reliability, physicality, and the ability to step in and play a role.
So, who might come calling?
Carolina Hurricanes: Cap Space and a Scoring Need
The Hurricanes have been knocking on the Stanley Cup door for years, and they’ve done it without ever putting themselves in cap trouble - a rare feat in today’s NHL. Heading into the deadline, they’ve got nearly $9 million in space to work with. That’s a luxury.
Scoring depth has been their Achilles' heel in the postseason. They’ve got the structure, the goaltending, and the blue line - but when the games tighten up in April and May, they’ve struggled to finish.
Kadri or Coleman could help change that. Both bring playoff bite and the ability to chip in offensively.
If Carolina is serious about taking that next step, this could be the year they swing big.
Detroit Red Wings: A New Approach from Yzerman?
Last season, the Red Wings stood pat at the deadline - a decision that didn’t sit well with everyone in the room. Captain Dylan Larkin made his frustrations known, and it’s clear that expectations have shifted in Detroit.
This year, they’ve given their fans and front office reason to believe. Sitting third in the Atlantic with a 33-19-3 record, the Wings are in the thick of the playoff race and have over $12 million in cap space to play with. That opens the door for GM Steve Yzerman to be aggressive - and the Flames have the kind of pieces that could fit seamlessly into Detroit’s mix.
Kadri could bring veteran leadership to a relatively young core, while Coleman would add sandpaper and playoff experience to a group that’s still learning how to win when it matters most.
Utah Mammoth: Looking to Bolster the Blue Line
The Utah Mammoth - formerly the Arizona Coyotes - are finally starting to see their rebuild bear fruit. With Dylan Guenther developing nicely, Nick Schmaltz playing the best hockey of his career, and Clayton Keller continuing to fly under the radar as one of the league’s most consistent offensive threats, this team is trending in the right direction.
But if there’s one area they could shore up for a potential playoff push, it’s the blue line. They’ve got around $6 million in cap space, and while they’re unlikely to make a blockbuster move for a top-pairing defenseman, adding depth on the back end makes a lot of sense.
That’s where Calgary’s role players come into play. Guys like Hanley, Pachal, or Whitecloud won’t generate headlines, but they’re exactly the kind of steady, low-risk additions that can help stabilize a young team’s defensive core down the stretch.
All Eyes on Calgary
The Flames might not be chasing a playoff spot, but they’ll be one of the most important teams to watch as the trade deadline approaches. With multiple assets that can help contenders - and the flexibility to retain salary if needed - Calgary is in a position to shape the market.
And they’re not alone. While they’ve been the early movers, most of the league’s top contenders have yet to make their plays.
Once the Olympic freeze lifts, expect the action to heat up fast. The Flames are open for business - and business could be booming.