Rumor: Flames push for Jason Zucker now includes Sam Bennett

With the recent news that Pittsburgh Penguins have asked Phil Kessel to waive his no movement clause for a trade to Minnesota, the Calgary Flames are showing that they're still going in on Jason Zucker.

The Penguins most likely had been inquiring about Jason Zucker from the Wild by asking Kessel to waive his no trade to go to Minnesota. The Flames have been in rumors and speculation around Zucker since last Februarys trade deadline and even came close to landing the left winger from the Wild at deadline in a trade with Michael Frolik and the Flames first round pick in 2019. Now with the news that the Penguins had tried to move Phil to Minnesota, the reports out of Calgary are that it is now Sam Bennett and Michael Frolik as the moving parts in a deal to Minnesota. Ryan Pike of Flamesnation recently wrote about the possibility of Bennett being the new addition to the deal. 

Not shocked that #Flames are still chatting with Minnesota re: Jason Zucker. I would be curious if they'd rather move Sam Bennett and retain their first round pick. Bennett out opens the door for expanded roles for Dillon Dube and/or Andrew Mangiapane.

— Ryan Pike (@RyanNPike) May 23, 2019

Josh Yohe of the Athletic has also written about Sam Bennett being included in recent trade rumors with the Wild. Yohe has also said that the Wild have also been shopping Zucker with team like the Arizona Coyotes about Christian Dvorak and Christian Fischer as well as Vegas Golden Knights center Jonathan Marchessault.

The Flames coach, Bill Peters and general manager, Brad Treliving have both been high on retaining their first round pick this year which is currently sitting at #26. The Flames moving Bennett would open up ice for players like Dillon Dube or Andrew Mangiapane who could fill Bennetts spot on the depth chart. Bennett's grit and toughness would be missed in Calgary and the Flames would need to look for a more cap affordable player for that type of replacement.

Is the Flames new offer to the Wild enough for them to land Jason Zucker? Or will he land in Arizona or Vegas?