Flames Rumors: 3 Teams Linked to Noah Hanifin Trade

The Calgary Flames still have three of the most sought-after players on the trade market as we get ever closer to the March 8th trade deadline. The insiders at The Fourth Period have learned that trade talks for top defensemen Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev have picked up over the past week.

After nearly signing an eight-year extension early in the season, contract talks with impending UFA Hanifin broke off and now it appears that a trade could come to fruition over the next two months. He holds a $4.95M cap hit on his expiring contract. 

The Fourth Period reports on these three teams being the apparent top suitors for Hanifin:

New Jersey Devils

The Devils are reported to have had recent discussions with Flames GM Craig Conroy, and they are linked to both Hanifin and Tanev. New Jersey is clearly looking to bolster their blue line and Hanifin would certainly be a great fit. He does however have an 8-team no-trade list. Which leads us to the next suitor:

Boston Bruins

Last month we reported that Boston was the preferred landing spot for Hanifin. The 26-year-old is Boston-born and bred and also played a year in the NCAA at Boston College. He has been linked to the Bruins in past years, and Boston GM Don Sweeney even tried to trade up to acquire him at the 2015 NHL draft. 

Arizona Coyotes

Sportsnet hockey insider Elliotte Friedman has reported that the Coyotes have interest in Hanifin, as they look to transition out of rebuild mode, and are prepared to use some assets to acquire some proven veteran talent. Arizona was another team that was interested in Hanifin back at the 2015 draft, and in fact, he was expecting to go to them at the No. 3 pick. He, of course, wound up going to the Carolina Hurricanes at No. 5. Now it appears that the Coyotes may be looking to correct some unfinished business from nine years ago.

Hanifin currently has 17 points in 36 games, while averaging over 23 minutes a night. 

Photo: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports