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

By Brendan Semon

Tyler Toffoli #73, Calgary Flames (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)
Tyler Toffoli #73, Calgary Flames (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images) /
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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)
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.

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