Patrick Kane is still undecided about his future. There are already teams he knows that have shown interest and there’s a good chance the Calgary Flames, who are on the hunt for a top six winger until the close, is one of them. They have the cap space and funds to pull off a deal like this if the team is willing to give up big to get it.
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Ninth in the Western Conference on points and playing mediocre hockey, there are still doubts about the Flames’ playoff chances. Many thought they would top the conference given their off-season moves, but they underperformed for the most part. An impactful addition like Kane would certainly improve their chances of making the playoffs and it’s a risk they must take. General Manager Brad Treliving has done everything he can to build a contender for 2022-23 and is unlikely to give up at this point. He wouldn’t want to risk wasting a season by not doing everything he can to help the team qualify for the postseason.
Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)
Here’s why the Flames should be one of the favorites to land Kane and why they should pack so much to win the giveaway if he’s available.
The flames abound with assets for Kane to move
Treliving has done an excellent job in the recent drafts, hitting his draft picks and giving the Flames a lot of work. Unfortunately, head coach Darryl Sutter is known for his questionable treatment of newcomers and prospects and the lack of opportunities given to them.
Related: Flames can resolve defensive depth issues with Canucks’ Schenn
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The Flames have plenty of available prospects to dangle as trade bait to land a high-end winger this season. Not everyone will fit into the Flames in the next few seasons, and Matthew Phillips stands out as a prospect to start conversations with. Phillips hasn’t gotten a good look in the NHL, despite giving the organization every reason to bet on him.
Still aspiring to be a center six, he has 91 goals and 209 points in 236 American Hockey League (AHL) games. He is one of the top scorers in the league this season with 24 goals and 48 points in 38 games, but has only played two games and 18 minutes of ice time. The Chicago Blackhawks have ample room to use his talent and he could thrive with them during their rebuild.
Matthew Phillips, Calgary Flames (Photo by Gerry Thomas/NHLI via Getty Images)
Chicago has some young defenders and defensive prospects they’re trying to develop, but the Flames also have a few up-and-coming talents in Jeremie Poirier or Yan Kuznetsov who could also lure the Blackhawks. Additionally, the Flames have their first and second round picks this season to complete a deal. A first-round pick of a potential playoff team could get the Blackhawks’ attention, especially considering the player they’re drafting will likely be NHL-eligible by the time he comes out of their rebuild.
Are the Flames willing to pay the price for Kane?
The big question is whether Treliving is willing to give up a first-round pick and a prospect of taking on Kane – assuming he’s willing to join the Flames. He’s not guaranteed very many games in Calgary and it will be a bust of a trade if they don’t qualify for the postseason and at least make it to the second round. There is also no guarantee that a rental car will remain healthy or fit to adapt in such a short period of time.
The Flames really need a scoring winger, and while Kane’s season has been unkane-like, he’s still one of the best players of the last decade. He continues to have one of the best hands in the NHL and is still a great passer. He’s been well over a point a game in four straight seasons prior to this season and has plenty of playoff experience.
The Flames underperformed in 2022-23 and going all-in by deadline day may not be the best decision, even with many games left and room for them to earn a playoff spot. While they have the means and incentive to go big and enlist the best winger available to help them win, it’s a risk and they could opt for a still helpful but less costly option like Tyler Bertuzzi, James van Riemsdyk or Ivan Barbashev. Despite questions about whether the Flames should make a push for Kane, they have the means to do so and he would help greatly.
Rob Couch is a freelance THW writer covering primarily the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames. He covers everything you need to know about fantasy hockey. He will also keep you up to date with NHL Stats news and trade talks.
You can find more of his work here.
Follow Rob on Twitter or his Stat Hockey hockey account for the latest articles, stats and more.
Source: thehockeywriters.com
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