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Originally Posted by CliffFletcher
So the plan is to miss the playoffs? Because they only way Hanifin gets dealt at the deadline is if the Flames are 4+ points out of playoff spot.
Fans need to get their heads around the very real possibility that we talk Hanifin (and Backlund) to free agency.
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It’s a real possibility and the rest of the league is well aware of this possibility. Hopefully Conroy’s patience will pay dividends, but the team loses bargaining leverage with players each day they get closer to free agency, and you’d have to convince me this team will move significant cogs at the deadline if they are in contention for the playoffs. Curtis Glencross was mentioned, but he was not in a tier with Lindholm, Hanifin or Backlund.
Conroy didn’t create this mess, but he has a potential mess on his hands. If the Flames are committed to dealing any of these three who are not signed at the deadline, then they may fare well, otherwise expect to vastly overpay to retain these players, accept uninspiring returns (ex. Duclair plus limited prospect), or watch these guys walk. I would expect an uninspiring deal for Backlund or Hanifin over the summer, and a dilemma next spring. From what’s been said and done this offseason, I do think the team is willing to go in a new direction, but unfortunately past moves have handed management a weak hand to play.