It’s time for another round of NHL rumours. We may be into the month of August, but big things have already happened like the Erik Karlsson trade. There could still be plenty of moves to be made before the start of training camp. We’re less than two months away from the regular season. However, there are still some NHL rumours to sort out. Today’s edition focuses on the Calgary Flames and the Philadelphia Flyers.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Calgary Flames
Rumour: The Athletic’s Julian McKenzie discussed the future of Noah Hanifin with the club.
The Flames might have the most attractive piece on the trade market in light of Erik Karlsson being shipped to Pittsburgh.
But they don’t want to put themselves in a position where they get hamstrung with a bad offer, @jkamckenzie writes.https://t.co/xzpzsdq3qh
— The Athletic NHL (@TheAthleticNHL) August 8, 2023
Analysis: Teams will now shift their focus to players like Hanifin and Carolina Hurricanes defenceman Brett Pesce as possible solutions. Hanifin has been rumoured to be on his way out of Alberta since the beginning of the off-season. The former Boston College product has expressed a desire to return to the United States to play out the next part of his career.
According to McKenzie, the Buffalo Sabres, Nashville Predators, Dallas Stars and the Florida Panthers were linked to the American. The Pittsburgh Penguins were on the list, but things have changed obviously. Salary cap space is obviously an issue with some of these clubs as well. Hanifin commands $4.95 million in his last season of his contract. He’s one of a number of Flames players that will be unrestricted free agents at the end of the season.
Buffalo and Nashville currently have the cap space to make a deal happen. The Sabres would love to add Hanifin and complete their blueline makeover. Nashville would love a complementary piece to Roman Josi on the backend.
Other teams like the Detroit Red Wings and Seattle Kraken could be in the market. Detroit has $7 million in space, but Seattle would have to make some cap moves to make a deal happen.
Philadelphia Flyers
Rumour: NHL.com’s Adam Kimelman talked to Flyers president of hockey operations Keith Jones about the future of defenceman Ryan Ellis.
Analysis: Ellis was acquired from the Predators in July 2021 to bolster the Flyers blueliner. However, injuries have derailed Ellis’ career since making the move to the Keystone State. Ellis only played four games in the 2021-22 season and hasn’t been on the ice since.
Jones said that Ellis’ career is likely over and that’s unfortunate. The Hamilton, Ontario native had a standout career with the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL. He was also a staple of those contending teams with Nashville in the last decade.
Ellis still has another four seasons with $6.25 million per season left on his contract. The Flyers can always put that contract on long-term injured reserve, but it can also get traded to a team looking to get to the salary cap floor. It’s sad to see a talented defenceman not be able to end his career on his own terms.
Main photo by: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
