How did the Flames’ 2023-24 departures perform elsewhere in 2024-25?

When Craig Conroy was promoted to general manager of the Calgary Flames in May 2023, he inherited a pretty decent hockey club… and a bunch of key players on expiring contracts. Between May 2023 and the 2024 trade deadline, several players left the Flames organization for other hockey clubs, including five prominent pending unrestricted free agents.

So how did those departed players fare in the National Hockey League during this past season?

Noah Hanifin, Vegas Golden Knights

Hanifin was traded to Vegas just before the 2024 trade deadline, with the Flames receiving Daniil Miromanov, a conditional first-round pick (in 2026) and a conditional 2024 third-round pick (they selected Russian goalie Kirill Zarubin).

Hanifin signed a contract extension with the Golden Knights. In his first full season in Vegas, he had 10 goals and 29 assists for 39 points in 80 games. It’s the second-most points he’s registered in any of his NHL seasons, behind only the 2021-22 season (when he had 48 points on a powerhouse Flames team). He remains active in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Chris Tanev, Toronto Maple Leafs

Tanev was traded to Dallas just before the 2024 trade deadline, with the Flames receiving Artem Grushnikov, a 2024 second-round pick (they selected OHL standout Jacob Battaglia) and a conditional 2026 third-round pick (that wasn’t converted).

Tanev’s rights were traded by Dallas to Toronto prior to free agency, and he signed a deal with the Leafs. In his first season with Toronto, he had three goals and 15 assists for 18 points in 75 games. He led the Leafs with a plus-31 rating during the regular season. He remains active in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Elias Lindholm, Boston Bruins

Lindholm was traded to Vancouver during the All-Star Break in January 2024, with the Flames receiving Andrei Kuzmenko, Joni Jurmo, Hunter Brzustewicz, a 2024 first-round pick (used to select Matvei Gridin) and a conditional 2024 fourth-round pick. (They subsequently traded the fourth-round pick for a fifth-rounder used to select Luke Misa and a sixth-rounder used to select Eric Jamieson, and traded Kuzmenko to Philadelphia as part of a package that landed them Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee.)

Lindholm left the Canucks as a free agent and signed with Boston. In his first season with the Bruins, he had an uncharacteristically ordinary season, with 17 goals and 30 assists for 47 points over 82 games – good for fourth on the Bruins.

Nick DeSimone, New Jersey Devils/Utah Hockey Club

DeSimone’s departure from the Flames was fairly undramatic. He had been really useful depth for the Flames as they navigated a fair tumultuous season – between injuries and trades – and he was claimed off the waiver wire by New Jersey in January 2024, just prior to the All-Star Break.

DeSimone began this season in the AHL with Utica, the Devils’ farm team. He was called up several times to provide depth for the Devils’ NHL group, but didn’t find his way into any games. He was placed on waivers in early January and was claimed by Utah. He ended up sticking around, playing 20 games and posting one goal and five assists for six points.

Nikita Zadorov, Boston Bruins

Zadorov was traded by the Flames to Vancouver in November 2023 in exchange for a 2024 fifth-round pick and a 2026 third-round pick. (They subsequently traded the fifth-round pick to San Jose for Nikita Okhotiuk.)

Like Lindholm, Zadorov left the Canucks in free agency. Like Lindholm, Zadorov signed with Boston. In his first season with Boston, he had four goals and 18 assists for 22 points over 81 games. (He led the Bruins in penalty minutes with 145.)

Tyler Toffoli, San Jose Sharks

Toffoli was traded to New Jersey prior to the 2023 NHL Draft, with the Flames receiving Yegor Sharangovich and a 2023 third-round pick (which they used to select Aydar Suniev).

Toffoli was subsequently traded by the Devils to Winnipeg, then he signed with the Sharks in the 2024 off-season. In his first season with the Sharks, Toffoli had 30 goals and 24 assists for 54 points over 78 games. He led the Sharks in goals, and was third on the team in points, behind Macklin Celebrini and William Eklund.

Which former Flames’ season did you find the most impressive?