I have been thinking throughout the offseason what would be the ideal trade where they flip2 pending UFA’s for a stud RFA her player. I am thinking the value here is in favor of Calgary likely significantly and due to the divisional rival thing it wouldn’t happen but here goes anyway:
To Canucks: Lindholm+Hanifin+Dube
To Flames: Pettersson+Garland
Reasoning. In order for any of this to make sense you have to buy into the rumor that Pettersson is not sold on a long term extension in Vancouver. The Canucks refusal to rebuild puts them in a spot to add a replacement center, Dman and winger. The Canucks would likely need to be willing to meet the $9.3M ask from Lindholmsnd I assume like the Flames-Panthers deal they would push hard to sign or flip Hanifin. I think they get an upgrade going from Garland to Dube who comes cheaper with more flexibility. They do not need to retain any salary the total cap difference is $200k.
The Flames get their reverse Tkachuk deal and add an in prime talent who they pay for an 8 year deal likely in the $11-12M AAV range. Long term fit with Huberdeau could be special and it helps the Flames stay competitive potentially long term. Garland could likely find a home playing on Backlund or Kadri’s wing and brings a right hand shot.
Ultimately the Canucks would never trade their 24 year old top line C for pending free agents from their biggest rival. It does seem like Pettersson could pull a Tkachuk/Dubois if the Canucks do poorly again.
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