5 Flames trade candidates people aren’t talking about

The one issue the Flames could run into when it comes to a potential Farabee trade is his contract. He makes $5 million for the next two seasons. That’s a lot of money for a middle six winger. The Flames would most likely have to eat some salary to make a deal work. They should be able to get a half decent draft pick if they decide to retain salary.

John Beecher – $900,000 AAV – RFA 2026

The Flames picked up Beecher off the waiver wire on Nov. 18. Since then he has played in seven games putting up one assist. He has not been the upgrade at the fourth line centre position that the Flames had hoped for.

He’s put in some good minutes on the penalty kill which is something the Flames needed. But he hasn’t been able to accomplish much at 5-on-5.

The thing Beecher has going for him is his physical tools. He is a large man who can skate like the wind. He was a first round pick in 2019 which people in NHL front offices seem to put some stock into.

If the Flames get offered a late round draft pick for Beecher, they should take it. You got Beecher for nothing off the waiver wire. Getting a draft pick for him around the deadline would be some nice work for the Flames from an asset management perspective.

Joel Hanley – $1.75 million AAV – UFA 2027

Over the last month, Joel Hanley has found a home in the Flames lineup playing the left side on the third pairing.

Since November 1st, Hanley leads Flames defencemen in CF%, SCF%, and is third in HDCF% and xGF%. The Flames have tied their opposition 5-5 with Hanley on the ice at 5-on-5.

The Flames play more in their opponents end than their own when Hanley is on the ice and that’s all you can ask for from a 3rd pairing defenceman.

Hanley could end up being a very serviceable depth defenceman for a contending team as you can never have enough defencemen.

Hanley only has one year left on his contract making $1.75 million. This is another player the Flames acquired for nothing. To get a mid to late round draft pick for him would be a shrewd move by Craig Conroy and company.

Brayden Pachal – $1,187,500 AAV – UFA 2027

There are a lot of teams in the playoff mix that could use a guy like Brayden Pachal on their third pairing. His physical, in your face style of hockey is perfectly suited for the playoffs.

Pachal has been excellent for the Flames since joining the club in February of 2024, and especially over the last month. Since November 1st, high danger chances at 5-on-5 are 43-21 in the Flames favour. He’s fourth on the Flames in hits, sixth in blocked shots. And his teammates rave about what a great person he is in that Flames locker room.

These are the types of players that go for fourth or fifth round picks near the deadline. The Flames would be smart to listen to offers on Pachal, who they also picked up off the waiver wire.

Devin Cooley – $775,000 AAV – UFA 2026

There must be some interesting debates these days at the Saddledome offices about what to do with Devin Cooley, who is a UFA at the end of this season.

By the trade deadline in March, you’re going to want to either re-sign him, or trade him. You can’t have another Dan Vladar situation where you let him walk as a UFA for nothing.

The goaltending market is scarce around the NHL. There would definitely be teams interested in acquiring Cooley who is having a spectacular start to this season.

The 28 year old is sporting a .920 SV% and 2.17 GAA, both numbers that have him ranked in the top half of NHL goalies this season.

He could be a valuable trade chip for the Flames. On the other hand he might be a solid backup to Dustin Wolf for the foreseeable future.

It’s going to be up to Cooley. Could he pull a Dan Vladar and look for a better opportunity to start more games elsewhere? If that’s the case, the Flames need to trade him. But if he is willing to come back to the Flames, then they might want to keep him.

There is a world where he could fetch the Flames a mid round draft pick, which would be another case of prudent asset management.

Which Flames players do you think should be on the trade market?