The Calgary Flames are expected to be one of many sellers by the time Friday’s trade deadline rolls around. The team has ample opportunity to continue stockpiling future assets in the hopes that they can land a high draft pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Names like Nazem Kadri and Blake Coleman are the most prominent names coming out of Calgary right now, with both players likely to be traded. However, the Flames also have several other players who could be on the move, including some defensemen.
Simply put, the Flames have had the problem all season of having too many defensemen who could play NHL minutes. The team should consider moving one or more of these players if there is a market for it, or at least make it known they are willing to talk business.
The right side for the Flames is busy
The Flames have a problem that many NHL teams would love to have. The team has too many right-shooting defensemen capable of providing NHL minutes.
Trading Rasmus Andersson did help, but the Flames acquired Zach Whitecloud as part of the return, a steady right-shot defenseman who was included in the trade mainly to make the money work. In addition to Whitecloud, the Flames have MacKenzie Weegar, Zayne Parekh, Hunter Brzustewicz and Brayden Pachal, all of whom have played NHL games this season. This has led to the likes of Parekh and Brzustewicz getting healthy points this season to ensure all players rotate through the lineup.
Making moves for the future
In an ideal world, Brzustewicz and Parekh would get consistent ice time and spots within the Flames’ defensive combinations. Brzustewicz is currently in the AHL, while Parekh has been in and out of the lineup mainly due to injury. Although both players are still very young, it is time for them to have a more consistent role at the club.
Bahl-Weegar
Kuznetsov – White cloud
Hanley-Parekh
Here’s what the Flames’ defensive combinations currently look like. There is no room for a player like Brzustewicz unless he plays on the left side, which he normally doesn’t do. Moving a player like Whitecloud would allow Brzustewicz to earn that consistent spot in the lineup.
Will the Flames have a busy deadline?
With the trade deadline just around the corner, many fans expect the Flames to be quite busy. In addition to moving Coleman and/or Kadri, the team should also look at moving some defensemen.
Players like Pachal, Hanley and Whitecloud are all options. I’m sure contenders would view these players as decent depth options for the blueline. Whitecloud is particularly notable because he has a strong reputation around the league for being defensively reliable.
Either way, it doesn’t make sense for the Flames to carry around that many right-shot defensemen forever. With the team largely being rebuilt, it’s time to let the kids take the helm and capitalize on assets that aren’t exactly part of the future.
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