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Luke Kunin, San Jose Sharks (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Flames News & Rumors: Cozens, Kunin, Hanley & More

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers
By Rupert McDonald | Last updated Mar 7, 2025 6:36 PM ET

In this latest edition of Calgary Flames News & Rumors, Dylan Cozens continued to be linked to the Flames in a potential trade, but has instead been moved elsewhere. Meanwhile, the San Jose Sharks’ Luke Kunin, who was also been linked to the Flames, has been traded as well. Continuing with trade talk, Joel Hanley is reportedly garnering interest from several teams around the league. Last but certainly not least, Guy Gaudreau joined the Flames for their pregame skate before Tuesday’s win against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Flames Lose Out on Cozens

Though the Flames acquired centreman Morgan Frost from the Flyers in late January, management was still interested in Dylan Cozens. Several insiders linked the two parties, the most recent being Chris Johnston and Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic (from ‘What we’re hearing about every NHL team heading into deadline week’, The Athletic, Chris Johnston and Pierre LeBrun, 03-07-25).

“Conroy, meanwhile, would love to add a young center who can grow with his group and has shown interest in Buffalo’s Dylan Cozens, among others,” notes Johnston and Lebrun’s column. “The GM continues to juggle the longer-range picture with the immediate one and hopes to keep all hands on deck for the playoff chase.”

Cozens, 24, was clearly on the Flames’ radar, though that is no longer the case. The 2019 seventh-overall pick was instead dished to the Ottawa Senators along with former Flame Dennis Gilbert and a second-round pick in exchange for Josh Norris and Jacob Bernard-Docker. The Flames will need to turn their focus somewhere else in hopes of adding a young right-handed centreman to their roster.

Kunin was on Flames’ Radar

The Flames were also looking to add depth with a right-handed centreman, and Luke Kunin was said to be on their radar. The 27-year-old is not a difference-maker but a reasonable fourth-line option who can kill penalties and is decent at faceoffs. He is also a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) and carries a cap hit of $2.75 million, which made him more than affordable for a Flames team that has a ridiculous amount of space.

Kunin, who has 11 goals and 18 points through 63 games this season, was instead traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets. The return has yet to be named. The Flames will likely keep an eye out for any other players available who might be an upgrade over their current fourth-line centre in Kevin Rooney.

Joel Hanley Getting Interest

The Flames didn’t expect to receive this level of play from Joel Hanley, who barely made the team to begin the season and spent most of the first few months in the press box. The 33-year-old has since become a fixture on the back end, and other teams around the league have taken notice.

According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, several teams have reached out to the Flames about Hanley, who is a pending UFA. Calgary, however, is currently in a playoff spot and is more than comfortable hanging on to the aging blueliner. That could change with the right offer, but at this time, it appears he will be staying in Calgary.

Guy Gaudreau Hits the Ice in Philadelphia

Several teams have done their best to help support the Gaudreau family during this unimaginably tough time, and the Flames – the team that drafted Johnny Gaudreau – are one of them. They not only had the entire family in Calgary during a game versus the Columbus Blue Jackets in December but also welcomed Guy Gaudreau (Johnny and Matthew’s father) to hit the ice and practice with them.

Gaudreau recently got on the ice with the Flames again, this time skating with the group before Tuesday’s game. He was pictured smiling from ear to ear throughout, and the players enjoyed it as well. Perhaps he gave them some good advice – they scored six goals against the Flyers in a 6-3 win after only managing one goal in their previous three outings.

Looking Ahead for the Flames

The Flames’ six-game road trip is now finished. They wrapped things up with a 3-2 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars on Thursday night. They now return to Calgary, where they will face off against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night in their final game of the week.