2019 NHL Trade Deadline Team Needs: Calgary Flames

CALGARY – In the midst of the Flames’ breakout season Brad Treliving spoke Wednesday about the importance of not taking things for granted by passing up chances to bolster his lineup for a deep playoff run.

He then said he had no interest in mortgaging the future for a rental player at the trade deadline.

Treliving has long been good at keeping his cards close to the vest this time of year, doing well to speak out of both sides of his mouth.

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That said, as one of the gutsiest GMs in the league, no one would be surprised if he made a big splash by Monday’s deadline.

An overview of how the west’s top-seeded club shapes up as trade talks heat up:

Needs:
Veteran depth on the blue line: Michael Stone is back skating with the team after missing several months due to a blood clot in his arm, and 20-year-old first-rounder Juuso Valimaki is progressing on the farm as he rehabs from a high ankle sprain.

However, as impressive as their blue line has been it includes four in its top eight who are 22 years of age or younger.

“Experience matters,” Treliving said of his defencemen.

Top six forward: The Flames love what Michael Frolik brings to the team in terms of experience and versatility, but they’d love to land a proven scorer to bump Frolik from the second line.

Pending free agents, age, cap hit
RFAs:
• Matthew Tkachuk, 21, $950,000
• David Rittich, 26, $800,000
• Sam Bennett, 22, $1.95 million
• Curtis Lazar, 24, $950,000
• Andrew Mangiapane, 22, $705,000

UFAs:
• Mike Smith, 36, $4.25 million
• Garnet Hathaway, 27, $850,000
• Dalton Prout, 28, $800,000

READ MORE: Calgary Flames return to action after hiatus

Potential assets to move:
Curtis Lazar: The former first round draft pick asked to be demoted this fall so he could play meaningful minutes and regain his scoring touch. It has worked. If someone is willing to take on the 24-year-old RFA as a project his upside might be high.

Oliver Kylington: The Flames aren’t interested in losing solid young assets, but if they are to make a move they’d have to give up something. The 21-year-old second-round pick defenceman has been great as a regular since his recall earlier this year.

Andrew Mangiapane: The Flames love how the junior sniper has progressed as a pro and he’s now a regular on the team’s fourth line.

First-rounder: Flames assistant GM Craig Conroy has gone on record saying they aren’t interested in moving their top pick for a rental. A first-rounder would have to land the team someone with term. After years of hoarding draft picks Treliving isn’t scared to trade them, meaning the third-rounder is very much in play.

Draft picks:
2019: 1st, 3rd, 4th (NYI), 5th, 7th (CAR)
2020: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th

One bold move the team could make:
Acquiring Wayne Simmonds to add some moxie and experience to a young roster.

I think the Flames should not…:
Spend their first-round pick, Dillon Dube, Juuso Valimaki or anyone on the roster for a rental.

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