As the Calgary Flames continue to explore the trade market, one player who could fetch them a significant return is defenseman Noah Hanifin.
The fifth overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes, acquired by the Flames in the blockbuster 2018 trade that sent Dougie Hamilton to Raleigh, has grown into a cornerstone of Calgary's back end.
After almost a full year of will-they-or-won't they when it came to the Flames and Hanifin negotiating a contract extension, it appears as though Hanifin has opted to test free agency this summer, according to Elliotte Friedman.
That makes it likely that Hanifin will be moved out this deadline season as the Flames continue to grapple with their failure as a contender this year.
They already got a haul for Elias Lindholm, and they have other big-time targets available like Chris Tanev and goalie Jacob Markstrom.
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NHL Trade Deadline: Noah Hanifin
Contract Situation: Expiring after this season, $4.95 million cap hit
Possible Destinations: Boston, Toronto, Tampa Bay, Colorado, Florida
Hanifin's versatility makes him a good plug-and-play fit on pretty much any playoff team. He's a good skater; he moves the puck well enough to produce offensively.
He's good through the neutral zone and in his own end, but he's not necessarily elite at any one of these traits.
His 30 points in 58 games this season put him on track for the second-most productive season of his career, but he's just one goal away from tying his career high.
The Massachusetts native could be a good fit with his hometown Bruins, but Boston's division rivals in Florida, Tampa Bay, and Toronto could all use help on the blue line as well.
Toronto flirted heavily with choosing Hanifin with the fourth overall pick in the 2015 draft, but TSN reports that Hanifin might prefer to go to a U.S-based team, and he has the contractual power to do that with a modified no-trade clause.
Tampa Bay could be a good fit given the injury suffered by Mikhail Sergachev on the left side of their blue line.
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