It’s time for another edition of NHL rumours. We’re into the month of September and that means hockey is starting soon. Training camps begin in the middle of the month, but deals can still happen. We’ve seen plenty of action from teams. However, more swaps could still be in the offing. One team that’s making over its roster is the Calgary Flames. This edition of NHL rumours deals with the Flames may not be done wheeling and dealing.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Calgary Flames Still May Be Open for Business
Rumour: Postmedia’s Wes Gilbertson said that Flames General Manager Craig Conroy may be willing to take on contracts.
Analysis: Conroy and the Flames did plenty of work to start a retooling over the last year. Calgary pulled off the Jacob Markstrom trade to the New Jersey Devils earlier in the summer. Andrew Mangiapane was also sent to the Washington Capitals as part of the retool.
This has helped drop the salary cap number by a ton. The Flames now have nearly $20 million in salary cap space. This allows Conroy to be flexible and could be a player in the trade market.
Gilbertson added that Conroy has let cash-strapped teams know that the Flames could take on less than favourable deals. However, it’s going to cost other clubs to do business with Calgary.
Let’s Make a Deal
We reported in a recent edition of NHL rumours that the Columbus Blue Jackets could take on deals to get more assets. Other teams would have to throw in sweeteners like draft picks and prospects in order to facilitate trades. This is likely the same for Calgary because it will help stockpile assets.
This is something that the Arizona Coyotes did in the last few seasons of their run. The strategy has allowed them to build up a ton of young and exciting prospects. Anyone remember Coyotes legends like Chris Pronger and Pavel Datsyuk?
These younger players will hopefully compliment the Utah Hockey Club‘s new philosophy of being able to spend money. Utah wants to be a Stanley Cup Playoff contender, but the work done by Bill Armstrong in Arizona laid the groundwork.
Rebuilds can be hard and painful. However, they are sometimes a necessary part of a franchise’s life cycle. Conroy is hoping having multiple picks and prospects will speed things up.
The Waiting Game
No one has taken up Conroy on his offer to be a contract dumping ground. However, that could change with the start of the season closing in next month. Teams could still need to find salary cap space and the Flames could help alleviate pressure.
Clubs that may want to do business with Calgary may want to have younger players that up lineup sports. It can help both parties out in getting the Flames get assets and the other teams can clear salary cap space.
It could be a mad scramble to get under the $88 million cap number and the Flames could benefit from this.
Main photo by: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
