Calgary Flames GM Craig Conroy dealt away 5 pending unrestricted free-agents in first 10 months on the job
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When Craig Conroy was employed because the Calgary Flames basic supervisor final spring, he brazenly acknowledge the staff had some challenges forward.
On the prime of that listing was how they dealt with seven outstanding gamers who had been set to turn into unrestricted free-agents in the summertime of 2024. They both needed to get these guys re-signed or transfer them, plain and easy.
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Right here we’re, practically 10 months later, and Conroy’s labored by means of that listing. It’s been a stretch that can outline the way forward for a Flames group that’s now firmly in “re-tool” temper.
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Right here’s what Conroy’s performed and the way the Flames have fared:
June 28, 2023
The transfer: Flames commerce Tyler Toffoli to the New Jersey Devils.
The return: Yegor Sharangovich and a third-round choose within the 2023 NHL Draft, used to pick Aydar Suniev.
The way it’s performed out: This deal labored out effectively for the Flames. The Devils dealt Toffoli to the Winnipeg Jets on Friday morning. He’s had a productive 12 months, however the Devils as a complete have been a disappointment.
Sharangovich, in the meantime, has been an amazing pickup for the Flames. He’s scored 25 objectives and added 20 assists whereas functionally turning into the staff’s first-line centre. Suniev’s an intriguing prospect, too, and he’s scored 12 and added 13 assists in 31 video games for UMass in his first season taking part in school hockey within the States.
Sept. 27, 2023
The transfer: Flames signal Mikael Backlund to a two-year extension.
The way it’s performed out: The Flames instantly made Backlund their captain as quickly as he signed this $9-million deal, and truthfully, management has been an actual asset for this group as they’ve dealt away veteran after veteran and have by some means stayed within the playoff hunt. That’s not solely Backlund, however he’s a giant a part of it, and having a man who has been within the staff’s colors for a decade-and-a-half passing on what Flames tradition represents to the subsequent era isn’t any small factor.
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Dec. 23, 2023
The transfer: The Flames commerce Nikita Zadorov to the Vancouver Canucks.
The return: A 3rd-round choose within the 2026 NHL Draft and a fifth-round choice within the 2024 NHL Draft.
The way it’s performed out: Zadorov’s agent had publicly requested a commerce for his consumer and it’s understood that hadn’t sat effectively with the blokes within the Flames locker room. Conroy needed to transfer him and whereas the return wasn’t overwhelming, the Flames didn’t retain any wage and it’s not as if Zadorov has lit the world on hearth in Vancouver. He’s a plus-8, however is taking part in solely 17 minutes per sport – lower than he was with the Flames – and his offensive manufacturing has dropped. There have been rumours that the Canucks had been seeking to transfer on from Zadorov, too, so this deal appears to be like fairly first rate looking back.
Feb. 1, 2024
The transfer: Flames commerce Elias Lindholm to the Canucks.
The return: Andrei Kuzmenko, a first-round draft choose within the 2024 NHL Draft, a conditional fourth-round choice this summer time, defensive prospects Hunter Brzustewicz and Joni Jurmo.
The way it’s performed out: It’s been a month, so it’s manner too early to be making any concrete judgments on this one. However this one already appears to be like fairly good for the Flames. Lindholm has 4 objectives – two in his first sport – and three assists in 16 contests for the Canucks, whereas Kuzmenko has scored 5 instances and added two assists in 11 video games for the Flames. There’s much more to Lindholm’s sport than his offence, in fact, however this was a long-term play for the Flames. There have been rumours that Lindholm was already being shopped by the Canucks earlier than the commerce deadline, the Flames bought prospects and picks. The influence will not be felt for some time, however this has potential to look fairly good in a pair years.
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Feb. 29, 2024
The transfer: Flames commerce Chris Tanev to Dallas Stars.
The return: Defensive prospect Artem Grushnikov, a second-round choose within the 2024 NHL Draft and a conditional third-round choose within the 2026 Draft.
The way it’s performed out: Once more, it’s waaaaaay too early to interrupt this one down, however what we all know for positive is the Stars are going to be very proud of what they bought in Tanev. He’s an elite defensive defenceman and the kind of veteran warrior you completely like to have on a playoff run.
As for what the Flames bought in return, we all know the whole group was excessive on Grushnikov. They wished him on this deal, and Conroy stated that whereas he’s nonetheless growing and desires time earlier than he’s able to contribute on the NHL degree, he’s a man who reminds him loads of Tanev. That’s intriguing.
As for the picks, the Flames solely get the third-rounder in 2026 if the Stars advance to the Stanley Cup Remaining this 12 months. They’re a superb staff, in order that’s on no account inconceivable.
March 6, 2024
The transfer: The Flames commerce Noah Hanifin to the Vegas Golden Knights.
The return: Defenceman Daniil Miromanov, a first-round draft choose in 2026 and a conditional third spherical choose in 2025 that turns into a second-rounder if the Golden Knights win a playoff spherical this spring.
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What’s the story: Hanifin was nice for the Flames this 12 months, and we all know the staff made a concerted effort to re-sign him. However when it was clear that wasn’t going to occur, they moved him for a package deal that might wind up being fairly first rate.
They’re going to love Hanifin in Vegas, little question. He’s a well-rounded d-man who’s having fun with arguably his finest season.
If the Flames wind up getting a primary and a second spherical draft choose for him, although, that’s a pleasant return. In Miromanov, they’ve acquired a defenceman who instantly signed on for a two-year extension. Knee surgical procedure stored him off the ice for the primary few months of the season, however he’s ramped up his motion and is predicted to play for the Flames this weekend.
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The participant: Oliver Kylington
What’s happening: There appears to be a quiet confidence from each Kylington and the Flames {that a} deal will get performed. He’s an unrestricted free agent this summer time, however the truth that the Flames didn’t commerce him suggests they imagine they’ll be capable of get him re-signed.
daustin@postmedia.com
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