Major update in Noah Hanifin trade situation post-Karlsson transaction

Over the weekend, the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired defenseman Erik Karlsson from the San Jose Sharks in a three-team deal with the Montreal Canadiens. One team keeping a close eye on the situation was the Calgary Flames, and I can’t say GM Craig Conroy was smiling through the process. With the Penguins landing Karlsson, it means that this is one less destination for a potential Noah Hanifin trade.

As Julian McKenzie puts in The Athletic, the Flames are hoping Karlsson’s trade could however “open the window to get going on such a move.”

Hanifin isn’t the same caliber as Karlsson, though he is “an affordable, top-four defenceman whose best years are ahead and could still be had at a reasonable rate (compared to Karlsson) with a new extension.” Earlier this summer, the Penguins, Buffalo Sabres, Nashville Predators, Dallas Stars and Florida Panthers were into the mix.

With Karlsson, along with Matt Dumba who signed with the Arizona Coyotes, are off the board, that also means that Hanifin’s value could increase…

The problem is that it’s become harder and harder to find a team that can afford him and would be willing to spend assets to get him.

If we look at teams that failed to acquire Karlsson, as it was reported that the Seattle Kraken, Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes were in the mix as well, they could look at Hanifin as another option. But it’s been reported that Hanifin would prefer to continue his career in the United States, and so Toronto could quickly be ruled out.

And when it comes to all those destinations, the tight cap remains the main issue, which prompt McKenzie to conclude:

“In short, the Flames have trading options available for a Hanifin trade. It’s on Conroy to make the move while recouping as many assets as possible. By virtue of the Karlsson trade, the Flames have been given another window of opportunity to make a trade happen.”

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