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Calgary Flames Aren’t Done Making Moves

The trade that saw the Calgary Flames move out Michael Frolik is only the start of changes in Calgary according to GM Brad Treliving. He’s not planning on sitting on the cap space he just opened up.

Three teams were fairly busy on Thursday night as far as trades are concerned. The Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadiens and Calgary Flames all took part in deals loosely connected to each other, the Flames winding up sending Michael Frolik away and receiving cap space in return.

“I don’t know if you’re going to have to write a second story today,” Brad Treliving joked shortly after sending Frolik — and his entire $4.3 million salary-cap hit — to the Buffalo Sabres for a fourth-round draft pick. The insinuation, of course, that he had another deal potentially in the works.

Multiple reports are that the Flames GM has absolutely no desire to sit on the cap space he just collected as part of this trade. He said, “it is our intention” to use the cap space and improve the team. Speculation is that he’s looking to do so sooner than later.

What Are the Flames After?

Early rumors are that Treliving might be pursuing a high-profile rental player prior to the NHL Trade Deadline. More specifically, Scott Cruickshank of The Athletic speculates the Flames GM could be in the market for a big, top-six winger, preferably on the right side. He writes (subscription required):

So they figure to be in the market for a needle-mover.

Theoretically, a veteran winger — big-framed with top-six ability, preferably somebody comfortable operating on the right side. 

It was a priority of the Flames to open up some space, something they’d been trying to do for some time. They now have eight weeks to make a move or two that will improve their team and try to keep them in the playoff hunt.

The expectation is that it won’t be eight weeks before fans in Calgary see the Flames make another move. In the meantime, Calgary will look internally. Treliving said, “It gives some other people opportunity to grab a little more from within.”

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