The Calgary Flames were pegged to be sellers this season. However, a recent report from Frank Seravalli while on Amazon’s Sports on Prime suggests the Flames are buying.
Noting that GM Craig Conroy wants to do more than be a team that settles into a retool, he wants to add a piece that will help his roster be competitive and build for the future. He believes that piece is a center, preferably a right-shot one.
Seravalli reports that Conroy has been working the phones in recent days trying to make a trade. Not only is it odd that he’s trying to be active this early in the season, but he’s looking for a younger right-shot center — a unicorn when it comes to the type of player teams make available.
Conroy wants someone in the same age group as the rest of this roster and a player who will grow with the current core.
“Keep an eye on the Calgary Flames. They don’t have interest in tearing things down, they’d actually like to beef up and bolster their lineup if at all possible.”
What Kind of Trade Might Conroy Be Looking at Making?
To get what he needs, Conroy might be prepared to pay. Teams willing to make this kind of deal at this point in the season likely won’t be looking for active stars that will help a team compete. A deal might have to come from a group that knows they aren’t headed toward the playoffs this season. That team might be going through a rebuild of their own.
Is Conroy willing to move a prospect or a pick? He might be if it speeds up the Flames’ retool and brings in someone that will help this season and next, versus in two or three seasons.
Considering the team’s start, moving a piece that has helped Calgary get out of the gates with a bang seems unlikely.
