Report: Hanifin not expected to extend with Flames, trade likely

Add Calgary Flames defenseman Noah Hanifin to the growing list of players that could get dealt this summer.

All signs point to the blue-liner not wanting to sign an extension with the club, meaning a trade is likely, according to The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun.

Hanifin is in the final season of his contract with a $4.95-million cap hit and can become an unrestricted free agent in 2024.

The fifth overall pick in 2015, Hanifin is 6-3, skates well, and is only 26 years old, which could make him an appealing addition for several teams. He tallied 38 points this past season and a career-high 48 the campaign prior. His underlying numbers over the last three seasons have been stellar, buoyed by his excellent 2021-22 campaign.

The Flames have several other players who can become UFAs in 2024, including Elias Lindholm, Tyler Toffoli, Mikael Backlund, Chris Tanev, and Nikita Zadorov.

New Calgary general manager Craig Conroy said during his introductory press conference that he doesn't want to lose pending UFAs for nothing, as the club did with Johnny Gaudreau a year ago.

Pierre-Luc Dubois, Connor Hellebuyck, Alex DeBrincat, and Erik Karlsson are among other players around the league that are expected to be available for trade this offseason.