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TSN's trade bait board features plenty of Calgary Flames flavour

May 17, 2019, 11:30 AM ET [36 Comments]
Todd Cordell
Calgary Flames Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
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Every year TSN's Frank Seravalli releases a trade bait board – and updates it constantly – based on information he and other insiders have heard with regards to players who could be (or become) available in the off-season.

In the first rendition for this year, Seravalli listed 15 names.

Two are current members of the Calgary Flames, and there's reason to believe another could soon become one.

Before I touch on the players of interest, I wanted to share the full list (you can read the article, which touches on the situation surrounding many of the players listed, here):

1. Phil Kessel
2. Jacob Trouba
3. Ryan Callahan
4. Jason Zucker
5. P.K. Subban
6. Michael Frolik
7. Connor Brown
8. Kyle Turris
9. Kevin Shattenkirk
10. Artemi Panarin (rights)
11. Travis Hamonic
12. Nikita Zaitsev
13. Olli Maatta
14. Colin Miller
15. Milan Lucic


It makes sense to work from top-to-bottom, so that means I'll start with Zucker.

I know I have touched on this numerous times but Zucker was nearly dealt at the deadline and he is fully aware of as much, which leaves him in an awkward spot. It sure seems like the Wild are going to cut the cord sooner than later. They're going younger, and word is they want Ryan Donato and Kevin Fiala playing their natural sides (left wing).

I don't know if the asking price will be in line with what was rumored in February (Michael Frolik and, very likely, a sweetener). What I do know is the Wild are unlikely to get what Zucker is worth selling at a low point, so I hope the Flames remain firmly in the mix for his services.

Next up is Frolik. I think it's fairly safe to say he has played his last game as a member of the Flames. Bill Peters never really took a liking to his play, there was a bit of a run in about Frolik's lack of ice time earlier in the season, and he was pretty outspoken in his exit interview. It just feels like both sides are ready to move on. Frolik is a solid player, but he is also 31 and his contract expires in a year. They're not keeping him, so it makes sense to part ways.

The big surprise on this list, to me, is Travis Hamonic. He had a really solid rebound campaign after a disappointing debut season in 2017-18. He's a top-4 guy, a Western Canadian kid, and the Flames really like what he brings on and off the ice. If they don't think they can get him locked up at a manageable price I could see them listening to offers but Hamonic strikes me as someone they'll get extended.

I think T.J. Brodie is the 2020 free agent much more likely to be moved, though maybe it'd make sense to deal Hamonic if a) he'd be pricier to re-sign and b) you could fetch noticeably more in a trade, though I don't know if either is true.

Whatever the case, it sounds like GM Brad Treliving could be in for another active summer.

Recent posts:

Revisiting my 2018-19 Western Conference predictions

Flames survey: most overrated, underrated, and everything in between

Flames Q&A: on Zucker, goaltending options, and more

Calgary Flames contract projections

On the signing of Carl-Johan Lerby

Examining potential backup options for the Flames

The Flames should listen to offers for T.J. Brodie

Flames sign Alexander Yelesin

Mark Giordano named a Norris finalist
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