Flames Trade Rumors: New Proposed Deal Sends Noah Hanifin To Tampa Bay

With Chris Tanev off to Dallas, his former Calgary Flames' defense partner Noah Hanifin will now be the next big trade chip to be sent packing from Calgary. There are a number of serious suitors for Hanifin, but the Tampa Bay Lightning make so much sense for a number of reasons, including the fact that the Bolts have lost top backliner Mikhail Sergachev with a broken leg, likely for the rest of the regular season. In addition, we got recent word from hockey insider Frank Seravalli that Tampa Bay appears to be Hanifin's preferred landing spot. 

Hanifin has an eight-team no-trade list, so he has some control on where he goes.

"If you're looking to add a left-handed defenseman, Hanifin would be at the top of your list," former NHL coach-turned-analyst Bruce Boudreau said on NHL Network Radio. "He's a great-skating defenseman who has finally found some offensive upside. He's always been known as a good defender but now he's really added to offensive part to his game."

With that in mind, Julian McKenzie and Corey Pronman of The Athletic have put together a proposed trade package that would send Hanifin to his sunshine destination: 

Tampa Bay Lightning Receive:

• Noah Hanifin, D

Calgary Flames Receive:

• Isaac Howard, LW
• Nick Perbix, D
• 2026 1st-Round Pick
• 2025 2nd-Round Pick

The rumored cost the Flames have put out there is a first-round pick, a top prospect and a roster player. And while the Lightning don't have a future first-rounder to offer, Howard, soon to turn 20, was their 2021 first-round pick, and would likely be much closer to being NHL-ready than any 2024 pick might be. Howard has offensive talent, and has posted 30 points in 30 games with Michigan State University, where he transferred this year from Minnesota-Duluth.

Perbix, just 25, is a right-shot D, which at least fills the spot on that side of the Flames' blueline. But in addition, Perbix, in his second season, has proven himself to be a viable NHL defenseman. 

The picks are a bit down the line, but are strong ones, nevertheless.

Photo: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports