Flames Facing Deja Vu This Offseason With Their Roster

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Matt Garland
June 23, 2023 (1:00 PM)

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If your a Calgary Flames fan you might be feeling a bit of deja vu as the offseason gets going. Last offseason Calgary lost two superstars, Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk. Gaudreau walked to free agency while Tkachuk informed the team he wasn't interested in signing long-term sealing his move to the Florida Panthers.

Veteran centres Mikael Backlund and Elias Lindholm are both leaning towards not returning to the club in a year's time when they become unrestricted free agents. Defenceman Noah Hanifin has made it clear he will not be coming back.

Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravall reported:

«Noah Hanifin on the other hand, has verbalized or told the Flames that he's likely to not re-sign. Obviously under contract for one more year, would prefer ultimately to play elsewhere.»

Hanifin joined the Flames at the 2018 NHL Draft via a five-player trade with Carolina which also saw Elias Lindholm come to Calgary. In his five seasons in Alberta, Hanifin has developed into a solid top pairing defenceman. In 81 games last season he put up 7 goals and 38 points while averaging 22:38 in ice time.

The 26 year old carries a cap hit of $4,950,000 and will be a UFA at the end of next season.

New general manager Craig Conroy will need to be diligent because the franchise can't afford to let another cornerstone piece leave for nothing in return.