Flames & Coyotes Could Provide In-Season Blockbuster Trade

The Arizona Coyotes are impressing many this season and currently sit with a 12-9-2 record. After years of selling off their veterans for draft picks and prospects, management is finally getting away from future considerations and want to win now.

Insert the Calgary Flames. A team heading in the opposite direction who have already started to trade off some of their assets. Turns out the Coyotes and Flames could provide us all with a blockbuster trade this season.

The Coyotes have heavy interest in Flames defenseman Noah Hanifin and want to sign him to a contract extension once acquired. The two teams have held conversations but to this point, there's no deal imminent.

Friedman on #Yotes/Hanifin (32TP): "They've shown an interest in adding this year...they kicked tires on Hanifin, more than kicked tires on Hanifin, they were interested"
— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) December 4, 2023

Hanifin is a pending unrestricted free agent who is widely considered the best available player on the trade market. He's made his desire to return to the United States known at the start of the season and if/when he's dealt by the Flames, it's very likely to be a team in the southern states.

Hanifin is owed $4.95 million this season and does hold eight-team modified no-trade protection. Although being a pending free agent certainly helps his case as he can make his intentions aware about a possible contract extension with his new club.

The Flames defenseman has recorded 12 points in 24 games and has top-pairing potential to play in all situations. It sounds like Hanifin will be dealt before the trade deadline in March and very well could be a Coyote once it's all said and done.