3 Players for the Calgary Flames to Target at the NHL Trade Deadline

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Three players for the Calgary Flames to target ahead of the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline to become true Stanley Cup contenders.

Few teams have surpassed expectations quite like the Calgary Flames have so far in the 2021-22 NHL season, but they are still a couple of pieces away from being serious contenders for the 2022 Stanley Cup.

The Flames currently have the Pacific Division of the Western Conference under their thumb as they sit four points ahead of the L.A. Kings with three games in hand. As we approach the March 8th trade deadline, Calgary, who sits 33-14-7 riding an 8-1-1 record in their previous ten games, has the room and needs to make a serious splash for some improvements in their lineup.

While there are certainly plenty of players to lay your eyes on, there are three players who could transform the Calgary Flames from being Stanley Cup contenders to Stanley Cup champions if they play their cards right. Without further delay, here are the three players the Flames should target ahead of the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline.

3. RD Justin Braun (Philadelphia Flyers)

You can never have too much depth on the back end, which is why the Calgary Flames should look to make a move a prey on the struggling Philadelphia Flyers and see if they can’t pry away one of their defensemen, mainly Justin Braun.

The 35-year old veteran has been there and done that, providing this young core with some invaluable playoff experience. Given that the Flyers haven’t had much to show for the 2021-22 NHL season, the asking price won’t be too steep, considering also that Braun is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.

While the Flames don’t have a lot of cash to throw around, as they’re pretty tight with their salary cap currently, Braun comes in with an AAV of $1.8 million, a rather inexpensive player that the team can get without giving up the farm.

In 53-games this season, the veteran blue-liner has 4 goals and 10 assists maintaining an even plus/minus. On a team that gets shelled often by opposing teams, a defenseman who doesn’t sit in the minus column is always a huge plus. Braun’s biggest asset to the Flames would be an added physical player willing to get in the shooting lanes. In the playoffs, especially in the Western Conference, you can never be too physical.

MONTREAL, QC – JANUARY 27: Rickard Rakell #67 of the Anaheim Ducks skates against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period at Centre Bell on January 27, 2022, in Montreal, Canada. The Anaheim Ducks defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-4. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

No. 2 – RW Rickard Rakell (Anaheim Ducks)

The Calgary Flames made the transaction for Toffoli because apart from the top unit, they lack high-end scorers for their second line, which can be addressed by making a significant splash at the trade deadline on March 8th.

Rickard Rakell hasn’t been the same since his big year in Anaheim back in the 2017-18 season in which he scored 34 goals and tallied 35 assists in 77-games played. Since then, the Swedish forward has yet to reach the 50-point threshold and needs a change in scenery. Because of this decline, the asking price won’t be as gargantuan as expected for other forwards like J.T. Miller.

With the emergence of Troy Terry in the lineup this season, Rakell has fallen out of favor on the top line. However, his production proves optimism for a team willing to make a move to acquire the skilled skater as he has scored 16 goals in 48 games thus far. When the playoffs come around, you need guys who can light the lamp from anywhere in the lineup. Johnny Hockey and Andrew Mangiapane are having monster seasons, but if they want to truly contend for the Stanley Cup this season, they need to find more guys who can put the puck in the net.

Another factor laying into the potential for Rickard Rakell being dealt is he’s on the final year of his contract with the Ducks and the team is unlikely to re-sign him in the offseason. As a result, they could be willing to pull the trigger on a trade that can give a contender a true second-line winger while also receiving generous compensation such as a 2nd-round draft pick and a prospect. Though this may be a steep price, if it results in the ‘Cup returning to Calgary, so be it.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JANUARY 13: Brandon Hagel #38 of the Chicago Blackhawks brings the puck around the net against Joel Armia #40 of the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at United Center on January 13, 2022, in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

No. 1 – LW Brandon Hagel (Chicago Blackhawks)

Brandon Hagel of the Chicago Blackhawks is putting together a rather impressive campaign this season as he’s put together 17 goals and 14 assists in 51-games as he’s worked his way towards earning top minutes playing with Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat throughout the year.

Hagel is your typical swiss army knife, similar to Mangiapane. He loves to go in the dirty areas, he can make crisp tape-to-tape passes, and he can score. He’s the type of player who can thrive on any line you put him on and he’ll make an immediate impact. For a Blackhawks team that has incredibly underperformed this year, Brandon Hagel has been one of the only bright spots for them as he’s worked his way from being a 6th-round draft pick (169th overall) in 2016 to be a solid middle of the lineup forward.

Though Hagel seems to be the perfect target for the Calgary Flames ahead of the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline, he may come at a steep price due to his performance this year. Much like Rickard Rakell’s asking price, the small buzzsaw may require a 2nd-round pick and an average prospect in exchange due to the inflation from his production.

The Calgary Flames are on the cusp of making a genuine push for the Stanley Cup and with this, comes the daunting task of whether or not they’re satisfied with the group they have or if they need to make an aggressive push to go for it all. Because the contenders in the Eastern Conference such as the Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Carolina Hurricanes are incredibly stacked with talent, the Flames may not have any other choice but to go for it all. By targeting these three players ahead of the trade deadline, the Flames will assert themselves above the rest of the teams in the NHL.

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