Rumor: Flames and Maple Leafs Talking Trade

The Calgary Flames were dealt some news last week as Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported that forward Sam Bennett has requested a trade from the team. The former 4th overall pick has never been given significant minutes in Calgary and after an outstanding performance in last year's playoffs, Bennett thought this season may be different.

That's not the case at all as Bennett has only averaged just over 13 minutes per game and wants a fresh start somewhere else.

Insert the Toronto Maple Leafs.

According to one NHL executive, he sees a match here for multiple reasons:

Bennett has been linked to Toronto and a lot of that has to do with Doug Gilmour. The deal could work here because of the Canada/Canada aspect and no quarantine would be needed. Perhaps Calgary would be interested in Travis Dermott and Pierre Engvall who are all the same age. Something to monitor for sure. Like usual, will come down to dollars and cents.

Dermott has been linked to multiple trades recently as reports have surfaced it may be time to move him out and give former first round pick Rasmus Sandin some consistent minutes, along with powerplay specialist Mikko Lehtonen.

Interesting times for Flames fans. Let's see what management can get back in return for someone who doesn't want to be there anymore.

***Eric Francis has come out and said Freidman's report is wrong***