Flames forced to take a trade deadline detour!

Calgary Flames general manager Brad Treliving met with the media on Thursday to officially provide an update on the health of captain Mark Giordano.

Giordano, of course, injured himself in the second period of Tuesday’s 3-1 loss to the San Jose Sharks. He is considered week to week, however, the good news is that he won’t require surgery. 

However the Flames will need to have surgery on their trade deadline plans. As Pierre LeBrun explained on last night’s Insider Trading on TSN, his injury has changed the needs to make the playoff push. 

“There are teams that I’ve talked to around the league that felt there was a decent chance that TJ Brodie could be had in a deal with the Calgary Flames, could upgrade with a top six forward, specifically a right shot forward. Now the sense is the Flames probably have to go all hands on deck as far as their remaining D to get through this Giordano injury. In fact, one source suggested to me today that the Flames might go out and try to add another depth defenseman to get them through this. Now again, I’m not saying Brodie cannot be moved. He’s a pending UFA, but it’s certainly I think makes it more difficult for the Flames right now and make that a top priority.”

His colleague on the panel Darren Dreger believes this also might have an impact on what they plan to do up front: 

“An area of concern on the Calgary blue line no question about that and some are wondering what they might do up front as well. Sam Bennett’s name has been out there for a long, long time. Now the Calgary Flames don’t really want to trade Sam Bennett . They’re not actively shopping Bennett. He’s a versatile forward. However, some also wonder whether or not Sam Bennett is ready for a change. On many nights, many games for the Flames, he’s a fourth line player. He would like to prove that he can be a top six forward in the NHL.”

The Flames don’t have much time to put a new plan in place. They will need to make quick decisions, and let’s hope they will be the right ones for the fanbase and the team’s playoff hopes.