Report: Coyotes goaltender Smith linked to Canadian team in trade rumor

Sportsnet insider Nick Kypreos broke news this weekend that that Arizona Coyotes are putting veteran goaltender Mike Smith on the market to see what the 35 year-old might return in a trade. Now, Kypreos’ colleague, Elliotte Friedman, is shedding more light on the situation and has added one team to the trade mix: the Calgary Flames.

Friedman reported live on the NHL Network saying, “I would think that Calgary is somewhere in that conversation,” said Friedman. “I find it hard to believe they wouldn’t be.”

When asked what it would take for the Flames to acquire Smith, Friedman said, “I think Arizona would want a lot for him. I think if he’s got two years left under contract it’s a big number; but again I know Arizona feels that he was their best player, so I don’t think it’s going to be easy for them to make that deal.”

So, while we can understand Arizona’s general manager John Chayka’s hesitancy to move his best player, we’re not exactly talking about Carey Price or Braden Holtby here. Smith is 35 years old and carries a $5.6 million cap hit. Smith to the Flames, at this point, seems like a bit of a round peg and square hole scenario. Especially when you consider Brian Elliott provides just as stable goaltending, for likely a more affordable cap hit. Stay tuned.