TRADE: Flames Acquire Nikita Okhotiuk From Sharks

The Calgary Flames were one of the biggest sellers of the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline, but they now have added to their group. The Flames have acquired defenseman Nikita Okhotiuk from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a 2024 fifth-round pick.

Okhotiuk, 23, will provide the Flames with another young defenseman with upside. The 2019 second-round pick has played in a career-high 43 games this season, where he has one goal to go along with seven assists, 72 blocks, and 125 hits. Overall, he has proven to be a heavy-hitting defenseman, and the Flames are now hoping he can grow his game in Calgary.

There is really no risk in the Flames taking a chance on Okhotiuk, as he is a young defenseman with a small cap hit. Along with that, the Flames certainly could use more depth at the position, as they notably traded away Noah Hanifin, Chris Tanev, and Nikita Zadorov this season alone.

We will need to wait and see how much of an impact Okhotiuk can make for the Flames from here. At worst, he will be a depth defenseman for them, but it will be intriguing to see if he can develop his game and become an effective full-time NHLer.