Flames GM Craig Conroy worries about his players amidst intense trade chatter

For months now, Calgary Flames players, such as Elias Lindholm, Chris Tanev and Noah Hanifin, have heard their names dropped in every trade rumour possible. Ahead of Wednesday night’s action, the Flames are still two points away from the Edmonton Oilers and the last Wild Card spot in the Western conference, which means if the trade deadline was to take place now, they’d be sellers.

General manager Craig Conroy is aware of the situation, and when he was interviewed by Eric Duhatschek of the Athletic, he revealed that though he gets that speculations are part of the business, he added how the trade rumours have affected his players and, unfortunately, their families as well.

“I understand it. We’re in a Canadian market. The situation we’re in — we’re not that far out of the wild card, but we have four teams ahead of us. So, I understand why people are talking. For me, I worry more about the players because I know when I was a player, before I got traded to Calgary, when I was in St. Louis, I was hearing lots of different things. People love trades. People love the idea of trades. The problem is, trades involve people — players, their wives, kids. When I played, the newspaper might drop some names, but it wasn’t like it is today. Today, with social media, everybody’s got an idea of what you should do — and they’re everywhere. I understand that it helps grow the sport. I understand why people take the day off at the trade deadline — because they enjoy it. But on the hockey side, it’s a little more nerve-wracking and it’s worrisome for the players. I just don’t like to put that on them.”

The Flames already made a significant trade this season, sending defenseman Nikita Zadorov to the Vancouver Canucks back in November. This season was supposed to be redemption for last year’s absence into the playoffs and despite changes to the front office and coaching positions, Calgary remains out of contention at this time. Therefore, it is no surprise multiple Flames have found themselves on the market regardless of their contract status. When asked about a potential full rebuild in Calgary and trading away high-caliber names at the deadline, an hesitant Conroy answered this:

“There is a balance between short- and long-term,” said Conroy. “You don’t know what you’re going to get for certain assets that you have — or what’s to come. Or maybe somebody here wants to re-sign with you. All those things are still out there… You want to get your young guys in, but you want to put them in an environment with some veteran guys that can show them how the NHL works. Because there’s going to be ups and downs with the (Connor) Zarys, the (Martin) Pospisils and the Dustin Wolfs .”

There is a sense of hope remaining in Calgary and Conroy is right to want to hold on to young stars like Zary, who has posted nine goals and 21 points in 31 games while assuming top-six minutes. The same cannot be said of veteran and pending free agent like Lindholm and Hanifin, who are likely to be on the move prior to the March 8 trade deadline.

But it does not mean that, in the meantime, all the chatter isn’t getting to the players and their vulnerable families…

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