Flames Rumors: Surprising Update on Noah Hanifin

 

This isn't something anyone saw coming. Even NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman expressed surprise when he reported on Hockey Night in Canada this weekend that the long-dismissed idea of a contract extension for Noah Hanifin with the Calgary Flames has seemingly been potentially revived. 

I think the two of them are talking again. I don't know where this is going to go, but I don't think (an extension) is out of the possibility. I thought earlier in the year, 'there's no way they're going to pick this back up again, he wasn't going to stay'. (Now) I don't think it's out of the question, I just wouldn't want to put odds on it.

Elliotte Friedman talking about Noah Hanifin:

“I think the two of them (Hanifin and the Flames) are talking again. I don’t know where this is going to go, but I don’t think [an extension] is out of the question.”#Flames

— Jeff Middleton (@jjmid04) January 7, 2024

There was word near the beginning of the season that the impending free agent and top D-man actually had a "verbal extension" done with the Flames on a long-term deal, but then the Flames got off to a horrendous start (2-7-1), and all of that was tossed aside. 

Trade rumors began to swirl around Hanifin once again, with some prime suitors becoming leading contenders, including his hometown Boston Bruins.

But Calgary has recovered in the standings, and are now at .500 and just two points out of a Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. Whether this has anything to do with the potential change of heart is unknown at this point. 

It's also not out of the realm of possibility that having a long-term deal signed would make facilitating a trade much easier for the Flames, so that could be what's behind the new report. 

Either way, Calgary will remain one of the main teams to watch as we get closer to the trade deadline, now just about eight weeks away. 

 Photo: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports