NHLTR Mock Trade: Flames Deal Noah Hanifin to Lightning

Noah Hanifin has informed the Calgary Flames he's not interested sticking around long term. GM Craig Conroy will be moving the mobile defenseman ahead of the March 8 trade deadline. Hanifin's the best d-man available by a landslide and while he's expressed an interest to play in the United States long term, it's believed he's circled one team in particular to join.

Insert the Tampa Bay Lightning, who have mutual interest according to Chris Johnston of TSN:

Keep your eye on Tampa, they are always the stealth operators at the deadline, they are believed to be looking at him with Mikhail Sergachev out injured

Hanifin has appeared in 56 games, recording 30 points and is a top-pair option who can play in all situations. Hanifin's owed $4.95 million and owns a 10-team no-trade clause.

MOCK TRADE: Hanifin to Tampa Bay for Emil Martinsen Lilleberg, Ethan Gauthier, Isaac Howard & conditional '25 second-round pick

Let's start with the draft pick. The Lightning don't own a first-rounder until 2026 so if Hanifin re-signs long term in Tampa Bay, the second in '25 turns into the first in '26. Martinsen Lilleberg has appeared in 17 games this season for the Lightning and gives Calgary someone to audition down the stretch this season. He's a former fourth-round pick of the Arizona Coyotes and has good size at 6-foot-2, landing 53 hits throughout his 17 NHL games. Gauthier and Howard are two high end prospects will loads of offensive upside. Gauthier's posted 29 goals in the QMJHL this year and was a second-round pick in '22, meanwhile Howard is the prize here. The former first-rounder has transferred to Michigan State for this season, posting 26 points in 28 games.

Tampa is always in stealth mode ahead of the deadline, but this year it feels like adding Hanifin is clear as day and makes a ton of sense for both sides.