Are big moves ahead for the Calgary Flames? LeBrun, Dreger, Seravalli, and Gregor weigh in
The Calgary Flames currently sit six points behind the Montreal Canadiens in the North Division standings, and the Habs have played five fewer games.
This likely means that the Flames — barring a miracle run of sorts — are likely going to be on the outside looking in when it comes to the North Division playoff picture.
That leaves them in an interesting spot with Monday’s trade deadline fast approaching.
The Flames’ most obvious piece to move out is likely forward Sam Bennett. Bennett asked to be traded earlier in the season, and could be an interesting reclamation project for another team. Sometimes, a fresh start is all a player needs to find another level within their game, and this could certainly be the case for Bennett.
Pierre LeBrun and Darren Dreger joined Frank Seravalli and Jason Gregor for episode 17 of the DFO Rundown Podcast this week, and the four had lots to say about the Flames’ potential moves at the upcoming trade deadline and offseason.0o
According to Dreger, it’s likely the Flames have a quiet trade deadline but will likely have a more active offseason ahead of them.
“My sense doing the Leafs-Flames game on the weekend, is that it’s real quiet on the trade front around Calgary, and that borderline shocks me,” said Dreger. “How can it be given the way that this team has played to this point? It’s either a determination by clubs around the NHL that they don’t like the Flames’ players, or they realize that you’re not getting Gaudreau, you’re not getting Monahan, you’re definitely not getting Matthew Tkachuk or any of those bigger pieces in-season, so you might as well wait until the offseason. I think that’s where you’re going to see the most meaningful change.”
Another player whose name has been attached to trade rumours is Sean Monahan.
Monahan is currently having a bit of a down year in Calgary — he’s scored just seven goals and tallied 16 assists through 37 games — and teams could be looking to buy low on the centre.
On the other hand, Calgary would be foolish to sell low on Monahan, who has serious potential to return to form in the future. He’s on a fairly moveable contract, meaning there will likely be suitors for his services, but again, his value is likely lower than it’s ever been in recent memory, meaning Calgary may be hesitant to move him.
While it’s likely the Flames are quiet this deadline, one player who makes sense to move out is goaltender David Rittich. The Flames have hitched their wagon to Jacob Markstrom, and while the results haven’t necessarily been there for him in his first year with the club, a return to form can be expected for the former Canucks netminder.
“Rittich might be an interesting piece for a contender looking to add some insurance in goal, a sort of 1A 1B situation if you believe in the best of him,” said Pierre LeBrun. “He’s a pending UFA so unless the Flames thought they were bringing them back. He’s probably the most obvious piece to move before Monday”
It feels like every year, the importance of goaltending depth in the playoffs is magnified, and contending teams are made painfully aware that losing their starter in the playoffs will almost always prove to be the difference-maker in their Stanley Cup aspirations.
With that in mind, a team looking to pick up a solid 1B goaltender to bolster their chances of going on a deep — and successful — playoff run should absolutely be making the call and checking what the Flames’ asking price for Rittich is.
While the Flames are likely to be relatively quiet at this Monday’s trade deadline, nothing is off the table for them this offseason, and it will be intriguing to see what decisions they make on some of their more key contributors.
You can listen to the DFO Rundown Podcast with Jason Gregor and Frank Seravalli anywhere you get your podcasts.