When Craig Conroy took over as Flames GM on May 23rd, 2023, it was clear he was going to have his hands full. He had six pending free agents. Most of them were considered core pieces for the Flames. Those names included Elias Lindholm, Tyler Toffoli, Mikael Backlund, Nikita Zadorov, Chris Tanev, and Noah Hanifin. Conroy had to move quickly and decide which players fit his vision for the Flames and which needed to be moved. A lot of pressure to put on a first-time general manager, but Conroy’s moves would decide the future of the Flames franchise. In his first 13 months on the job, Conroy made ten trades. Most of which involved big-time players. Let’s take a look now at his best work.
Ranking Craig Conroy’s Best Trades as Flames GM
#1 Tyler Toffoli to New Jersey
Full Trade: Tyler Toffoli to New Jersey for Yegor Sharangovich and a 2023 third-round pick
This was Craig Conroy’s first trade as a general manager. At the time, there were serious doubts about the return. Calgary got a reasonably unknown player in Yegor Sharangovich and a third-round pick for moving out their leading goal-scorer. However, a year later, this trade looks great for the Flames.
The reality of the situation with Toffoli was that he was heading into his 31-year-old season. Moreover, he didn’t fit the long-term plan of the Calgary Flames. There was really no chance of re-signing the player. Conroy made a smart move getting ahead it and moving Toffoli when his value would be highest, coming off a career-year, with a full season to join a new team.
The Return
In exchange for the aging veteran, the Flames received a 25-year-old centre in Sharangovich who had been pushed down the depth charts in New Jersey. Many fans at the time thought this trade was a clear loss for Calgary, but after one year, things look a lot different. Sharangovich would go on to have a career-year scoring 31 goals, and 59 points and looks to be a clear top-six forward. He showed he can play both wing and centre which gives the Flames much-needed flexibility. If he can continue to grow and build off this season going forward, this trade will be an absolute home run.
In a simple 1-for-1 swap, this is still one of Conroy’s best trades. He did a great job identifying a player with plenty of potential who could flourish in Calgary. However, let’s not forget the Flames also received a third round draft pick. They would use this pick to select Aydar Suniev. Suniev is coming off a solid first season in the NCAA for UMASS. Although it’s too early to know what he could be in the NHL, having him as an asset is a win for the Flames.
#2 Elias Lindholm to Vancouver
Full Trade: Elias Lindholm to Vancouver for Andrei Kuzmenko, Hunter Brzustewicz, Joni Jurmo, 2024 first-round pick and 2024 fourth-round pick
This is another trade that had fans in Calgary feeling disappointed. Lindholm had been the Flames top centre for years. He was known for his impressive 200-foot game which had him playing on the top power play and penalty kill. When this trade first came in, Flames fans felt like the return, for arguably their best player, was lacking. However, right now, this trade looks good, and it can only get better.
Lindholm had turned down a substantial offer from the Flames and it was clear he was ready to move on. When the deal took place many fans felt Conroy rushed the trade. Fans felt he should have waited until the deadline in hopes of driving up the price. However, the Canucks pushed the issue and sweetened the pot enough to get the deal done. The pot of course being, one NHLer, two prospects, and two draft picks. With this amount of return for a rental player, this is easily one of Conroy’s best trades.
The Return
Let’s start with the NHL player. Andrei Kuzmenko posted 39 goals in his first NHL campaign and looked to have superstar potential. However, one year later he had fallen out of favour in Vancouver and was considered to be a salary dump. After getting off to a slow start in Calgary, Kuzmenko finished with nearly a point-per-game including 14 goals in just 29 games. He has a ton of offensive potential and if he can get back to the player he was down the stretch for Calgary, he will be a valuable asset come trade-deadline time this season.
The Flames also brought in two defensive prospects, Hunter Brzustwicz and Joni Jurmo. Brzustwicz is coming off a 92-point season for the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers. Playing for the Rangers, he looked like an elite, puck-moving defenceman. Moreover, Jurmo has played the last two seasons in the Finnish U20 league and is a smooth-skating defenceman who can cover a lot of ice. He needs to improve his decision-making to play at the next level, but there is plenty to like about the player.
As the final pieces to this trade, the Flames received a 2024 first-round pick (Matvei Gridin) & a 2024 fourth-round pick (Trevor Hoskin). Gridin is coming off an impressive offensive season that saw him score 83 points in 60 games in the USHL. Hoskin is coming off being named the OJHL’s top forward and most valuable player. It could be a while before we know what Hoskin is, but if he continues to progress and put up points the way he did in his draft year, he could make a mark in the NHL.
#3 Noah Hanifin to Las Vegas
Full trade: Noah Hanifin (50% salary retained) to Philadelphia for Mikhail Vorobyov. Then, Vorobyov to Vegas for Daniil Miromanov, 2026 first-round pick and 2024 third-round pick.
The Calgary Flames and Noah Hanifin spent several months going back and forth on whether to move on or re-sign long-term. When it became clear that Hanifin would be moving on, things started to get complicated. Hanifin had an eight-team no-trade list, and he was looking to lock up a long-term deal sooner rather than later. This meant that teams trading for him needed to discuss and come to terms on a contract extension before trading for him. This further reduced the available trade partners.
When this trade was initially finalized, the return felt a little underwhelming. Hanifin is a smooth-skating defenceman with nine seasons of experience in the league and at only 27 years old has plenty of good hockey left. Unfortunately for the Flames, the limited suitors reduced the value of Hanifin. Navigating this situation and getting a solid return make this one of Conroy’s best trades to date.
The Return
The Flames received prospect Daniil Miromanov as part of the trade. At 26-years-old, he doesn’t fit the traditional description of a prospect. However, according to Craig Conroy, the team has been following his progression and they believe he could develop into a good NHLer. He has good skating ability and a heavy shot that helped him create offence at the AHL level. In 20 games with Calgary to finish the season he showed flashes of potential. This season will determine whether or not this was a steal or a miss by the Flames GM.
In addition to Miromanov, the Flames received two draft picks. Both picks had conditions, but after the season finished, the Flames had a 2026 first-round pick and a 2024 third-round pick. Fans may not like that the first-round draft pick from this deal isn’t until 2026, but this means the Flames will now (did) have two first-round selections in 2024, 2025, and 2026. This is an incredible amount of capital to use to rebuild this team into a true contender. With the third-round pick from Las Vegas, the Flames selected Russian goaltender Kirill Zarubin. Time will tell on this selection, but Zarubin has all the tools to turn into an NHL goalie.
Honourable Mention: Jacob Markstrom to New Jersey
Full Trade: Jacob Markstrom (31.25% salary retained) to New Jersey for Kevin Bahl and 2025 first-round pick
At 34-years-old, Jacob Markstrom doesn’t fit the timing for when the Flames are aiming to be competitive. Moving on from Markstrom also clears the net to give young star Dustin Wolf a true chance to prove himself. The Flames get a 2025 first-round pick, giving them two first-rounders in next year’s draft and Kevin Bahl in return. In Bahl, the Flames have added a defensive defenceman who could add stability and physicality alongside some of their young offensive defencemen. When you compare the deal to what the Bruins got for 30-year-old Vezina winner Linus Ulmark in their trade with Ottawa, this deal looks that much better.
Overall Craig Conroy has done an admirable job reshaping the Calgary Flames roster. He’s moved out veteran players and stocked the cupboards with first-round draft picks and prospects creating a bright future for the Flames.
Main photo: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
