Evaluating Calgary Flames trades from armchair general managers

On paper, this looks beautiful. It’s like scanning the menu at a new restaurant and finding exactly what you’ve been looking for. However, you can’t substitute one of the sides. 

The Calgary Flames are in the midst of a rebuild or transitional period where they have to make the most of every offer. The Dallas Stars are currently in the Western Conference Final for the third time in five years. They’re a contender—likely a team you won’t find on the no-trade list.

Now, Mavrik Bourque is a name Flames fans should be familiar with. His name came up a lot when discussing possible returns for Noah Hanifin or Chris Tanev.

Bourque led the Stars rookies in goals (10) and ice time (12:33). He was drafted 30th overall in the 2020 Draft. The Calgary Flames took Connor Zary at 24. Bourque is what the Calgary Flames are looking for. He fits that 23 to 25-year-old criteria. He would join Matt Coronato and Adam Klapka on the short list of right-shot forwards. 

He’s 23 years old with lots of upside, a great shot, and an offensive presence. Plus, the team would have control. What more could you want?

The only way for the Flames to make space for more forwards is going to be trading some of your group away. Maybe you trade Blake Coleman or Martin Pospisil this offseason to help clear the jam. Craig Conroy has some finagling to do if he wants to make any progress in his rebuild. 

The Stars sending Matt Dumba is simply a cap dump. Dumba is entering the final year of his $3.5M contract. Realistically, the Flames don’t need another RHD. They already have a logjam at the blueline, but if that means he’s hanging in the press box with Danil Miromanov, so be it. 

I don’t see a world where this actually happens. Andersson would be an excellent addition to the Stars’ already stacked D-core, but I don’t think they’re going to give up a 23-year-old promising forward along with a first-round pick for a 28-year-old defenceman. 

Andersson and 18th overall for Quinn and ninth overall

This is an immediate “not happening.” Rasmus Andersson likely has Buffalo on his no-trade list and would not do the Flames a favor to waive it. Even if it meant just being there for a year. 

Jack Quinn was drafted eighth overall in the 2020 draft and made his NHL debut in 2022. Quinn is another 23-year-old forward who is comfortable on either wing. According to EliteProspects, he is a heavy shooter and plays a strong 200-foot game. That sounds delightful. 

Quinn suffered an Achilles injury back in June of 2023 and admits almost two years later, he needs to get “faster and stronger.” That’s no problem for the Calgary Flames. We’ve seen players like Matt Coronato put in the extra work with the Flames’ training staff and solve that problem. 

Due to Andersson’s list likely including Buffalo, I would have to write this one off. If Buffalo isn’t included, give me a call and we can work it out. 

Finally, some trades that don’t involve Rasmus Andersson

Yes. Need I say more? 

There is no world in any universe where the Flames trade their captain unless Mikael Backlund requests a trade. For a team that is so rich and entangled with “culture,” I could imagine Conroy slamming the phone down the second he hears Don Sweeney suggest Backlund. 

Let’s say Backlund requests a trade. Should the Flames do it? I think it’s fair. You’d be picking early in the third round. Based on last year’s draft results, I think the Flames should continue down the path of locking up as much draft capital as possible. Go for it.

MacKenzie Weegar, you are the next captain of the Calgary Flames.