The Dallas Stars realize they have an opportunity to go all the way in the 2023-24 season. That is a major reason why the Stars pulled off a trade with the Calgary Flames that saw them landing veteran defenseman Chris Tanev.

The trade will see the Stars sending prospect Artem Grushnikov, a 2024 second-round pick, a conditional third-round selection in 2026 to Calgary for Tanev. As part of the transaction, the Flames will retain 50% of Tanev’s salary and cap hit, while the other 50% will fall onto the New Jersey Devils, who received a 2026 fourth-round pick from Dallas in exchange.

Tanev appeared in 56 games this season, contributing with one goal and 13 assists for a total of 14 points. He is currently in the final year of his four-year, $18 million contract.

The move provides a big boost for the Stars’ blue line, which was a major point of concern in an otherwise outstanding campaign. Tanev has been a reliable defenseman throughout his career and is known as a great locker-room presence. He is expected to be tasked with a significant role, especially considering the questionable status of injured Nils Lundkvis and Jani Hakanpaa still not being fully fit after recovering from an injury of his own.

The Stars have shown this season that their run to the Conference Finals last year wasn’t an accident. They are currently sitting second in the Central Division with 79 points, the same as the leading Winnipeg Jets.

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Despite being one of the hottest teams in the NHL, the Vancouver Canucks aren’t standing pat. The team just announced it had acquired All-Star center Elias Lindholm in a trade with the Calgary Flames.

Lindholm, set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season, was considered one of the most sought-after players on the trade market. The Canucks ended up making the best offer that included winger Andrei Kuzmenko, prospects Hunter Brzustewicz and Joni Jurmo, as well as a first-round selection in the 2024 NHL Draft.

Lindholm is considered to be a great fit for Canucks, especially as he fills out the need for a right-hand center. He also vastly improves the team’s power-play units while being able to respond in defensive situations.

In 49 games with the Flames this season, Lindholm had nine goals and 23 assists for a total of 32 points. While this represents a drop-off compared to his previous seasons, the 29-year-old player showed at various points that he can still be a difference-maker on ice on any given night.

The Flames, on the other hand, are getting quite a haul for a player who could have walked away for nothing in the summer. They get an influx of youth players and draft assets, while Kuzmenko can immediately step in to contribute. Kuzmenko has eight goals and 13 assists in 43 games in 2023-24.

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The Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom is expected to be week-to-week after incurring a finger fracture. He picked up his injury during Monday’s team practice, thereby prompting the team to call up Dustom Wolf from the AHL.

“It’s always tough when guys get injured,” Flames captain Mikael Backlund commented after a practice session on Tuesday. “(Marky’s) disappointed, but Vladdy and Wolfie (are) going to have to rally now and play really good and step up. They’ve both played really well when they’ve had the chances here, but we’re definitely going to miss Marky, he’s a big leader in this room.”

Markstrom is 6-8-2 with a 2.94 goals-against average and a .896 save percentage so far this season. Over the course of his 14-season career, Markstrom is 198-181-57 with 18 shutouts, a 2.73 GAA and a .909 save percentage, playing for the Florida Panthers, Vancouver Canucks, and Calgary Flames.

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The Vancouver Canucks acquired defenseman Nikita Zadorov in a trade with the Calgary Flames. The Canucks gave up a fifth-round pick in 2024 and a 2026 third-rounder in exchange for the 28-year-old player.

Zadorov has one goal and five assists for a total of six points in 21 games he played for the Flames in 2023-24.

Zadorov asked the Flames to trade him back in November after a series of games in which his ice time was diminished. He is set to become a free agent at the end of the season and probably wants to put together a strong season in order to position himself for a better contract. It was reported at the time that the Toronto Maple Leafs was his preferred destination.

The Canucks likely acquired Zadorov to add depth to their roster and give themselves an opportunity to maintain a strong start to the season. The team currently owns a 15-8-1 record and sits in second place in the Pacific Division.

The Flames, on the other hand, get something in return from a player that they were unlikely to resign at the end of the season. It also provides them some cap flexibility, as they are moving on from Zadorov’s $3.75 million salary.

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The Calgary Flames announced on Wednesday that they have signed veteran center Mikael Backlund to a two-year extension. Backlund was also named the team’s new captain.

The extension is reportedly worth $9 million and locks Backlund to the franchise through the 2025-26 NHL season. He is set to earn $5.35 million in 2023-24.                                                                                              

The 34-year-old player is coming off his most successful campaign as a pro, recording a career-high 56 points (19 goals and 37 assists) in 2022-23. He also received the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, an award given to a player “who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and who has made a significant humanitarian contribution to his community.”

Backlund spent his entire NHL career with the Flames, making his debut in the 2008–09 season. Since then, the Sweden native played 908 regular-season games, netting 185 goals alongside 307 assists for a total of 492 points.

“Mikael Backlund is our captain. He has been our captain for some time. Today we are excited to extend Mikael for two more seasons and officially add the captaincy to his jersey,” said Flames general manager Craig Conroy in a statement. “We look forward to his continued leadership on the ice, in the locker room and in our community.”

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Free agent veteran center Nazem Kadri will continue his NHL career with the Calgary Flames. The Canadian team announced that Kadri agreed to a seven-year deal that comes with a $7 million annual salary.

Kadri entered the free agency after a strong campaign with Colorado Avalanche that saw him contribute 28 goals and 59 assists for a career-high 87 points during the regular season. The 31-year-old then added 15 points in 16 postseason games to help the Avalanche lift the Stanley Cup.

After extension talks with Avalanche stalled, Kadri had multiple suitors and was hotly tipped as the new member of the New York Islanders. However, the Flames swooped in at the last minute and made him pick Calgary.

“I like the direction of the team and the moves we’ve made thus far … I’ve always appreciated the Calgary Flames fanbase, so all those played a key contributor in me making my decision,” said Kadri after the news was announced.

The move brings more optimism for the Flames, who had a disastrous start to the offseason when All-Star Johnny Gaudreau left in free agency and star forward Matthew Tkachuk got traded. However, the team managed to replenish the talent on offense by getting productive All-Star winger Jonathan Huberdeau as part of the Tkachuk trade and now landing Kadri.

Nazem Kadri, who also played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, has one All-Star career appearance. His NHL stats include 739 games played in which he scored 219 times and assisted 293 times for a total of 512 points.

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The Calgary Flames could look a lot different next season. After seeing star Johnny Gaudreau walk in free agency last week, the Flames are now also bracing for the exit of All-Star winger Matthew Tkachuk.

According to multiple reports, Tkachuk has told the Flames that he won’t sign an extension with the franchise. The 24-year-old player is currently a restricted free agent and will become an unrestricted agent next summer. This development has got Calgary’s front office working the phones in order to avoid losing such an impactful player for nothing.

Tkachuk’s agent reportedly provided the Flames with the list of his preferred destinations and teams he would be willing to sign long-term. Although Calgary doesn’t have to honor his request, it is in their favor to do so. Any team that isn’t on the list will avoid giving up significant assets for the player, knowing he can leave for nothing after just one year.

So far, the most likely destination for Matthew Tkachuk is the St. Louis Blues. Tkachuk grew up in St. Louis, supporting the Blues as his father, Keith Tkachuk, played for the team for nine seasons.

Tkachuk, who made his debut in 2016–17, has played 431 games for the Flames and contributed 382 points (152 goals and 230 assists). He was an All-Star in 2020 and has NHL Second All-Star Team honors from this past season.

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Most of the Calgary Flames fans are probably starting to lose hopes that superstar winger Johnny Gaudreau will remain on their team past this summer. But they shouldn’t, according to the Flames’ general manager Brad Treliving.

Speaking with the reporters earlier this week, Treliving said that he’s optimistic Gaudreau will ink a new deal instead of hitting the free agency and heading elsewhere.

“I’m always optimistic,” said Teliving. “I genuinely think that everybody’s heart’s in the right place. We want to get the player signed. He wants to be in Calgary. But they’re big decisions. They’re life decisions.”

The two sides have until July 13 to hammer out a deal. If they fail, Gaudreau will officially hit the free agency market and will be able to field the offers from other teams. While testing the free agency wouldn’t prevent the 28-year-old from returning to the Flames, Treliving hopes to avoid that scenario.

“I think it’s real genuine on both sides to try and get a deal done,” he added. “My hope is that we’re going to get something done before it gets to that.”

Johnny Gaudreau inked his most recent deal in 2016 when he signed on six years and $40.5 million. After that, Gaudreau went on to make four All-Star appearances to get his career total to six while also making the NHL First All-Star Team. Since his NHL debut in 2013–14, he played in 602 games for the Flames and contributed 210 goals and 399 assists.

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The Calgary Flames made a defensive investment on Friday and secured the services of two NHL veterans for the 2021-22 season. The team announced that they’ve signed defenseman Erik Gudbranson on a one-year deal while also re-signing Michael Stone to a one-year contract.

According to the team’s official press release, Gudbranson will earn $1.95 million this upcoming season.

Stone’s contract, on the other hand, is worth $700,000. Speaking with Flames TV after signing the deal, Gudbranson revealed that playing for head coach Darryl Sutter played a big part in his decision to come to Calgary.

“Everybody who I’ve spoken to around the league who has played for him has really enjoyed [it]. I’m very excited about it,” said Gudbranson

Erik Gudbranson, who was the Florida Panther’s No. 3 pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, has been a journeyman as of late, suiting up for five different teams since the 2018-19 season. Gudbranson played a total of 563 games in the NHL, contributing with 21 goals and 56 assists for a total of 77 points.

Michael Stone, on the other hand, has been with the Flames since 2016-17. He played 169 games for the franchise, scoring nine goals and dishing 23 assists.

“I’m happy to be back,” said Stone about his new deal. “I feel like we have some work to do to, building off last season, and I’m happy to be a part of it.”

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The Calgary Flames certainly have a thing for former Vancouver Canucks.

After already signing three former Canucks this offseason, Jacob Markstrom, Chris Tanev, and Louis Domingue, they have just added Josh Leivo as well.

The left-winger has signed a one-year contract with Calgary worth $875,000.

Leivo wasn’t able to get on the ice much during the 2019-2020 season because of a serious knee injury. He ended up only playing 36 games after fracturing his knee in late December. Even though the injury was only supposed to keep him off the ice a couple of months, it kept lingering and forced him to sit out the rest of the season, playoffs included.

However, it could still be an excellent trade for Calgary if Leivo is able to get healthy. He is only 27 years old and in 85 games with the Canucks, was able to produce 17 goals and 37 points.

Leivo is also a very versatile offensive weapon and can play both right and left-wing, which gives the Calgary coaching staff more options when putting together lines and figuring out where Leivo can help them most.

Leivo has also proven to be excellent at killing penalties and saw some time on powerplays with Vancouver as well. While he is not an elite stick handler, Leivo has an absolute laser beam of a shot that is both extremely powerful and accurate.

He can also offer strength, size, and physical play, which is something the Flames haven’t had enough of in recent years.

The post Calgary Flames Sign Left Winger Josh Leivo to One-Year Deal appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Dallas Stars realize they have an opportunity to go all the way in the 2023-24 season. That is a major reason why the Stars pulled off a trade with the Calgary Flames that saw them landing veteran defenseman Chris Tanev.

The trade will see the Stars sending prospect Artem Grushnikov, a 2024 second-round pick, a conditional third-round selection in 2026 to Calgary for Tanev. As part of the transaction, the Flames will retain 50% of Tanev’s salary and cap hit, while the other 50% will fall onto the New Jersey Devils, who received a 2026 fourth-round pick from Dallas in exchange.

Tanev appeared in 56 games this season, contributing with one goal and 13 assists for a total of 14 points. He is currently in the final year of his four-year, $18 million contract.

The move provides a big boost for the Stars’ blue line, which was a major point of concern in an otherwise outstanding campaign. Tanev has been a reliable defenseman throughout his career and is known as a great locker-room presence. He is expected to be tasked with a significant role, especially considering the questionable status of injured Nils Lundkvis and Jani Hakanpaa still not being fully fit after recovering from an injury of his own.

The Stars have shown this season that their run to the Conference Finals last year wasn’t an accident. They are currently sitting second in the Central Division with 79 points, the same as the leading Winnipeg Jets.

The post Dallas Stars Acquire Veteran Defenseman Chris Tanev From Flames appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Despite being one of the hottest teams in the NHL, the Vancouver Canucks aren’t standing pat. The team just announced it had acquired All-Star center Elias Lindholm in a trade with the Calgary Flames.

Lindholm, set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season, was considered one of the most sought-after players on the trade market. The Canucks ended up making the best offer that included winger Andrei Kuzmenko, prospects Hunter Brzustewicz and Joni Jurmo, as well as a first-round selection in the 2024 NHL Draft.

Lindholm is considered to be a great fit for Canucks, especially as he fills out the need for a right-hand center. He also vastly improves the team’s power-play units while being able to respond in defensive situations.

In 49 games with the Flames this season, Lindholm had nine goals and 23 assists for a total of 32 points. While this represents a drop-off compared to his previous seasons, the 29-year-old player showed at various points that he can still be a difference-maker on ice on any given night.

The Flames, on the other hand, are getting quite a haul for a player who could have walked away for nothing in the summer. They get an influx of youth players and draft assets, while Kuzmenko can immediately step in to contribute. Kuzmenko has eight goals and 13 assists in 43 games in 2023-24.

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The Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom is expected to be week-to-week after incurring a finger fracture. He picked up his injury during Monday’s team practice, thereby prompting the team to call up Dustom Wolf from the AHL.

“It’s always tough when guys get injured,” Flames captain Mikael Backlund commented after a practice session on Tuesday. “(Marky’s) disappointed, but Vladdy and Wolfie (are) going to have to rally now and play really good and step up. They’ve both played really well when they’ve had the chances here, but we’re definitely going to miss Marky, he’s a big leader in this room.”

Markstrom is 6-8-2 with a 2.94 goals-against average and a .896 save percentage so far this season. Over the course of his 14-season career, Markstrom is 198-181-57 with 18 shutouts, a 2.73 GAA and a .909 save percentage, playing for the Florida Panthers, Vancouver Canucks, and Calgary Flames.

The post Calgary Flames’ Jacob Markstrom Out With Fracture appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Vancouver Canucks acquired defenseman Nikita Zadorov in a trade with the Calgary Flames. The Canucks gave up a fifth-round pick in 2024 and a 2026 third-rounder in exchange for the 28-year-old player.

Zadorov has one goal and five assists for a total of six points in 21 games he played for the Flames in 2023-24.

Zadorov asked the Flames to trade him back in November after a series of games in which his ice time was diminished. He is set to become a free agent at the end of the season and probably wants to put together a strong season in order to position himself for a better contract. It was reported at the time that the Toronto Maple Leafs was his preferred destination.

The Canucks likely acquired Zadorov to add depth to their roster and give themselves an opportunity to maintain a strong start to the season. The team currently owns a 15-8-1 record and sits in second place in the Pacific Division.

The Flames, on the other hand, get something in return from a player that they were unlikely to resign at the end of the season. It also provides them some cap flexibility, as they are moving on from Zadorov’s $3.75 million salary.

The post Vancouver Canucks Acquire Nikita Zadorov From the Flames appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Calgary Flames announced on Wednesday that they have signed veteran center Mikael Backlund to a two-year extension. Backlund was also named the team’s new captain.

The extension is reportedly worth $9 million and locks Backlund to the franchise through the 2025-26 NHL season. He is set to earn $5.35 million in 2023-24.                                                                                              

The 34-year-old player is coming off his most successful campaign as a pro, recording a career-high 56 points (19 goals and 37 assists) in 2022-23. He also received the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, an award given to a player “who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and who has made a significant humanitarian contribution to his community.”

Backlund spent his entire NHL career with the Flames, making his debut in the 2008–09 season. Since then, the Sweden native played 908 regular-season games, netting 185 goals alongside 307 assists for a total of 492 points.

“Mikael Backlund is our captain. He has been our captain for some time. Today we are excited to extend Mikael for two more seasons and officially add the captaincy to his jersey,” said Flames general manager Craig Conroy in a statement. “We look forward to his continued leadership on the ice, in the locker room and in our community.”

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Free agent veteran center Nazem Kadri will continue his NHL career with the Calgary Flames. The Canadian team announced that Kadri agreed to a seven-year deal that comes with a $7 million annual salary.

Kadri entered the free agency after a strong campaign with Colorado Avalanche that saw him contribute 28 goals and 59 assists for a career-high 87 points during the regular season. The 31-year-old then added 15 points in 16 postseason games to help the Avalanche lift the Stanley Cup.

After extension talks with Avalanche stalled, Kadri had multiple suitors and was hotly tipped as the new member of the New York Islanders. However, the Flames swooped in at the last minute and made him pick Calgary.

“I like the direction of the team and the moves we’ve made thus far … I’ve always appreciated the Calgary Flames fanbase, so all those played a key contributor in me making my decision,” said Kadri after the news was announced.

The move brings more optimism for the Flames, who had a disastrous start to the offseason when All-Star Johnny Gaudreau left in free agency and star forward Matthew Tkachuk got traded. However, the team managed to replenish the talent on offense by getting productive All-Star winger Jonathan Huberdeau as part of the Tkachuk trade and now landing Kadri.

Nazem Kadri, who also played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, has one All-Star career appearance. His NHL stats include 739 games played in which he scored 219 times and assisted 293 times for a total of 512 points.

The post Nazem Kadri Signs With the Calgary Flames, Gets a 7-Year Deal appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Calgary Flames could look a lot different next season. After seeing star Johnny Gaudreau walk in free agency last week, the Flames are now also bracing for the exit of All-Star winger Matthew Tkachuk.

According to multiple reports, Tkachuk has told the Flames that he won’t sign an extension with the franchise. The 24-year-old player is currently a restricted free agent and will become an unrestricted agent next summer. This development has got Calgary’s front office working the phones in order to avoid losing such an impactful player for nothing.

Tkachuk’s agent reportedly provided the Flames with the list of his preferred destinations and teams he would be willing to sign long-term. Although Calgary doesn’t have to honor his request, it is in their favor to do so. Any team that isn’t on the list will avoid giving up significant assets for the player, knowing he can leave for nothing after just one year.

So far, the most likely destination for Matthew Tkachuk is the St. Louis Blues. Tkachuk grew up in St. Louis, supporting the Blues as his father, Keith Tkachuk, played for the team for nine seasons.

Tkachuk, who made his debut in 2016–17, has played 431 games for the Flames and contributed 382 points (152 goals and 230 assists). He was an All-Star in 2020 and has NHL Second All-Star Team honors from this past season.

The post All-Star Matthew Tkachuk Tells Flames He Won’t Re-Sign, Expected to Be Traded appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Most of the Calgary Flames fans are probably starting to lose hopes that superstar winger Johnny Gaudreau will remain on their team past this summer. But they shouldn’t, according to the Flames’ general manager Brad Treliving.

Speaking with the reporters earlier this week, Treliving said that he’s optimistic Gaudreau will ink a new deal instead of hitting the free agency and heading elsewhere.

“I’m always optimistic,” said Teliving. “I genuinely think that everybody’s heart’s in the right place. We want to get the player signed. He wants to be in Calgary. But they’re big decisions. They’re life decisions.”

The two sides have until July 13 to hammer out a deal. If they fail, Gaudreau will officially hit the free agency market and will be able to field the offers from other teams. While testing the free agency wouldn’t prevent the 28-year-old from returning to the Flames, Treliving hopes to avoid that scenario.

“I think it’s real genuine on both sides to try and get a deal done,” he added. “My hope is that we’re going to get something done before it gets to that.”

Johnny Gaudreau inked his most recent deal in 2016 when he signed on six years and $40.5 million. After that, Gaudreau went on to make four All-Star appearances to get his career total to six while also making the NHL First All-Star Team. Since his NHL debut in 2013–14, he played in 602 games for the Flames and contributed 210 goals and 399 assists.

The post Flames Still Optimistic About Retaining Superstar Winger Johnny Gaudreau appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Calgary Flames made a defensive investment on Friday and secured the services of two NHL veterans for the 2021-22 season. The team announced that they’ve signed defenseman Erik Gudbranson on a one-year deal while also re-signing Michael Stone to a one-year contract.

According to the team’s official press release, Gudbranson will earn $1.95 million this upcoming season.

Stone’s contract, on the other hand, is worth $700,000. Speaking with Flames TV after signing the deal, Gudbranson revealed that playing for head coach Darryl Sutter played a big part in his decision to come to Calgary.

“Everybody who I’ve spoken to around the league who has played for him has really enjoyed [it]. I’m very excited about it,” said Gudbranson

Erik Gudbranson, who was the Florida Panther’s No. 3 pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, has been a journeyman as of late, suiting up for five different teams since the 2018-19 season. Gudbranson played a total of 563 games in the NHL, contributing with 21 goals and 56 assists for a total of 77 points.

Michael Stone, on the other hand, has been with the Flames since 2016-17. He played 169 games for the franchise, scoring nine goals and dishing 23 assists.

“I’m happy to be back,” said Stone about his new deal. “I feel like we have some work to do to, building off last season, and I’m happy to be a part of it.”

The post Flames Add Defenseman Erik Gudbranson appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Calgary Flames certainly have a thing for former Vancouver Canucks.

After already signing three former Canucks this offseason, Jacob Markstrom, Chris Tanev, and Louis Domingue, they have just added Josh Leivo as well.

The left-winger has signed a one-year contract with Calgary worth $875,000.

Leivo wasn’t able to get on the ice much during the 2019-2020 season because of a serious knee injury. He ended up only playing 36 games after fracturing his knee in late December. Even though the injury was only supposed to keep him off the ice a couple of months, it kept lingering and forced him to sit out the rest of the season, playoffs included.

However, it could still be an excellent trade for Calgary if Leivo is able to get healthy. He is only 27 years old and in 85 games with the Canucks, was able to produce 17 goals and 37 points.

Leivo is also a very versatile offensive weapon and can play both right and left-wing, which gives the Calgary coaching staff more options when putting together lines and figuring out where Leivo can help them most.

Leivo has also proven to be excellent at killing penalties and saw some time on powerplays with Vancouver as well. While he is not an elite stick handler, Leivo has an absolute laser beam of a shot that is both extremely powerful and accurate.

He can also offer strength, size, and physical play, which is something the Flames haven’t had enough of in recent years.

The post Calgary Flames Sign Left Winger Josh Leivo to One-Year Deal appeared first on SportzBonanza.