Insider trading: Calgary Flames uncertainty hits Noah Hanifin

TSN hockey insiders Chris Johnston, Pierre LeBrun and Darren Dreger join host Rod Smith to discuss the latest windfalls, explore under-the-radar defensive tackles, the latest on the 2026 Olympics and how the NHL draft's location will complicate the Rangers' trade. .

When do you think we'll see a resolution to the season-long uncertainty surrounding the Calgary Flames and defenseman Noah Hanifin?

Johnston: The winds have changed direction several times this year, with the Flames likely to re-sign Hanifin at some point and others waiting to trade him before March 8. UFA. Well, I expect we'll get some idea in the coming days about exactly where it's headed. That's because Hanifin's agents are expected to speak with … Flames management, where they'll present their final position — there's something to be decided, and that's what ultimately moves him forward. And, (although) we don't know which way it's going to go, I think it's safe to say that if Calgary can't extend Hanifin's contract in some way, they'll use the time between now and March 8th. find a finder somewhere to exchange it. So we'll focus on that.

LeBrun: Yes. This can certainly affect the “D” market. But in the meantime, Chris Tanev is seen by most teams as the number one guy on the D rental market because he's available. A number of teams have asked. There's also the sense that Elias Lindholm controlled the central market last week leading up to that deal, and then a day and a half later when you deal Sean Monahan, you have a domino effect. Some teams I've talked to over the last few days feel like Tanev is having the same impact on the D rental market, there are other guys interested, but they're waiting to see what happens with Tanev first. when he left. … Now, as I said last week, the price right now from Calgary is our understanding is a second-round pick, plus another asset that could be a good fit for some teams. But a team like the Toronto Maple Leafs, who have been showing interest in Chris Tanev, won't have a second-round pick for the next three years. So if the (Maple Leafs) wanted Chris Tanev from Calgary, it was clear that Price would be a first-round pick. I don't know if Brad Treliving of the Leafs is willing to pay that.

Let's move to Montreal. David Savard has made it clear he doesn't want to be traded, but could the Habs defenseman be done before March 8?

LeBrun: The reason the answer is yes to this is if the other team is forcing the issue here. Truth: I don't believe the Montreal Canadiens want to trade David Savard. I think they value him for all the reasons in the organization. But they're a recycling team, and they're in listening mode for a lot of players. So, if someone sends them a really mind-blowing proposition, yes, it can be handled. But at the moment, he is not a player that the Hubs can bring up to other teams on their own. They are not willing to trade it. By the way, that brings us to another veteran quarterback – Buffalo's Eric Johnson, who is a (pending) UFA. He was brought to the Sabers because he was a key leader on a young team. Now, it's clear there's a chance he can be dealt, but the Sabers haven't gotten around to it yet. They want to talk to him. They want to talk to his agent, Pat Brisson, before deciding where to go.

We recently learned that NHL players will compete in the Olympics in 2026 and again in 2030. When can Hockey Canada start building a management team?

Draeger: These discussions were already underway. This process recently started with Canadian hockey player Scott Salmond. It's clear that they hope to appoint someone with a finger on the head and overseer of all the management teams for the various international events – potentially the NHL general manager and the St. Louis Blues (general manager). Doug Armstrong. Now, on top of all that, you know, this executive might also serve as the general manager of the 2026 Olympic team. But here's a little twist. For any Canadian player hoping to get involved, the message will be very direct and very clear. The auditions will begin at the … men's world championships in May. So, any Canadian player should accept this invitation.

Johnston: And when the NHL released its new international calendar here, players like Nikita Kucherov (and) Kirill Kaprizov expressed some concerns about Russia's ban on athletes from international competition. They're not going to like what I'm saying (saying), because right now I can tell you that I'm not sure if Russia will be allowed to compete in the 2026 Olympics. Now, there is still some time before this is confirmed one way or the other. But there is a meeting next week in Zurich that will decide, or at least start discussions, on the IIHF 2025 tournaments. I'd expect a decision next month and it doesn't sound like the wind is blowing in favor of Russia being allowed. So something has to change by this time next year. But with this war raging in Ukraine, there doesn't seem to be much appetite for change at the IIHF level.

I can understand the Rangers wanting to add before the deadline, but are there some challenges?

Draeger: Yes, including their 2024 first round pick. You're right, the New York Rangers want to add a forward. I was told they made an offer (for) Elias Lindholm, formerly of the Calgary Flames, now (with the Vancouver Canucks). But this proposal was obviously rejected. New York Rangers owner James Dolan wants to protect the 2024 first-round pick so the Rangers can be a part of the spotlight in the draft and Sphere. Because Dolan also owns The Sphere in (Las) Vegas. That doesn't mean (general manager) Chris Drury can't use another first-round pick — maybe in 2025 or buy one. But the Rangers want to be a part of the Vegas scene.