On the first day of the 2024 NHL Draft, the Calgary Flames may have four picks.
Even though the Flames are only two points outside of a postseason berth, it appears like they will be selling at the trade deadline this season. This is due to the fact that Elias Lindholm, Chris Tanev, and Noah Hanifin—three significant upcoming unrestricted free agents—may result in first-round selections. Not to be overlooked is goaltender Jacob Markström, who may be traded if the appropriate offer presents itself despite having a no-move clause.
Moving these four players could help the Flames have more success in the future, but it will be disappointing if they miss the playoffs. We’ll examine teams in this series that at least one of these players would suit, starting with the Boston Bruins.
The requirements of the Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins really need Elias Lindholm. Following the 2022–23 season’s heartbreaking loss to the Florida Panthers, Patrice Bergeron and David KrejÄŤĂ announced their retirements, leaving the Bruins severely lacking in center depth.
Charlie Coyle, who has 14 goals and 31 points in 42 games, is their top line center, according to Daily Faceoff. That surpasses Lindholm’s eight goals and 28 points in 43 games, but Coyle’s career high is 56 points from the 2016–17 campaign, whereas Lindholm has three seasons with 60 points or more.
Pavel Zacha, who has nine goals and 25 points in 38 games this season, is Boston’s second line center. In 2022–23, the Czech native scored 21 goals and recorded 57 points, setting a career high in both categories. It was his first season with the Bruins.
Nevertheless, Lindholm has proven in the past to be a first-line center with outstanding defensive skills and a fantastic deal with a $4.85 million cap cost. The 29-year-old’s acquisition by the Bruins would greatly increase their center depth.
Regarding potential trade candidates for the Flames defense corps, right-shot defenseman Brandon Carlo was just put on injured reserve but is expected to return soon because he is a skilled skater. Since early December, left-shot defenseman Derek Forbort has been placed on the long-term injured reserve. He is also skating. Given that Hanifin and Tanev will shortly be back, it’s difficult to determine if it would be worthwhile for the Bruins to trade for either player.
The Bruins have one of the greatest goaltender situations in the whole league. The Bruins will have a goalie in the All-Star Game for the second consecutive season, but it will be Jeremy Swayman rather than Linus Ullmark, who qualified for the All-Star Game in 2023.