The Calgary Flames are hoping to bolster their attack prior to the March 3 trade deadline.
"I’ve made it clear, yeah, we’re looking for a forward," general manager Brad Treliving told The Athletic's Julian McKenzie. "I’ve also said whether that (player comes) internally or externally. You continue to look at the people within your organization. Is there somebody that can come in?."
The Flames have recently given opportunities to top prospects Walker Duehr and Jakob Pelletier, but neither player has made a major offensive impact in their short NHL stints. With Calgary ranking 18th in goals-for this season, Treliving is cognizant he may need to go shopping to add the boost he desires ahead of the playoffs.
"You’re looking for a good player," Treliving said. "It might be somebody who can fit in financially, somebody you feel comfortable (with) from a cost standpoint. I’ve been reluctant on the rental market in the past. Because, I think, depending on price, (you have) to give up assets for a very short-term return."
He added: "Somebody that can help offensively, that’s the wide net. We value certain things in terms of competitiveness and responsibility. So, certainly, somebody that you think can fit with you and be a fit and a match. Trying to add a bit more scoring punch. And it’s easier said than done. I can give you a description head to toe, they’re hard to find. You can’t get them for free."
The Flames are operating with $7 million in deadline cap space, according to Cap Friendly. The first domino of this year's forward-heavy market fell Monday when the Vancouver Canucks shipped captain Bo Horvat to the New York Islanders for Anthony Beauvillier, Aatu Raty, and a conditional first-round pick.
Calgary finished the 2021-22 season sixth league-wide in goals, but lost two 100-point players over the summer in Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk. Despite the dip in offense, the Flames remain in the thick of the postseason picture in the Western Conference this year with 57 points through 50 games.
