The clock is ticking for the Calgary Flames. They have until Friday afternoon to trade pending free-agent defenceman Noah Hanifin, who is not expected to re-sign with the club.
Several teams in the playoff mix are reportedly interested in Hanifin, and understandably so. The 27-year-old is among the most well-rounded blueliners in the NHL, capable of making a difference at both ends of the rink.
Here are a few potential destinations for Hanifin:
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
Over the weekend, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that the Lightning are believed to be Hanifin’s top choice for his next team.
The Lightning have played most of this season without all-situations defender Mikhail Sergachev, who broke his left leg on Feb. 7. And that was his first game back after missing nearly two months with a lower-body injury.
Sergachev’s absence has forced Victor Hedman, 33, to do a lot of heavy lifting. Hedman is one of seven defencemen in the league who average at least three minutes on the power play and two minutes on the penalty kill per game. (Sergachev, who is on long-term injured reserve, averaged 1:41 on the power play and 2:21 on the penalty kill, respectively.)
Hedman touches the puck 48.6 times per game, eighth out of 265 qualified defencemen (minimum 100 minutes played). Hanifin, meanwhile, is 23rd on that list at 43.8 per game. It would benefit the Bolts to have another defenceman who could help Hedman transport the puck and take on some of his tough minutes. Hanifin could partner with Erik Cernak, giving Lightning coach Jon Cooper a solid second pair during the stretch run and possibly beyond.
FLORIDA PANTHERS
If Tampa Bay is off the table, the team a few hours south could make a play for Hanifin. The Panthers have catapulted up the league standings, winning 24 of their past 30 games.
Florida is an elite defensive team, ranking second in expected goals against per game (2.59). With all due respect to Niko Mikkola, adding Hanifin to the Panthers’ top four of Aaron Ekblad, Gustav Forsling and Brandon Montour would be a significant upgrade as the team attempts to return to the Stanley Cup Final.
The Panthers’ defence is not relied on to move the puck up ice, ranking 31st in possession-driving plays per game as a unit. Florida prefers a dump-and-chase approach to offence, and Hanifin is solid at recovering loose pucks in the offensive zone (51st at his position).
BOSTON BRUINS
A theme is emerging here. The Bruins are another Atlantic Division team that could take a run at Hanifin, a Boston native. Hampus Lindholm is week to week with a lower-body injury, leaving a big hole on the left side of the Bruins’ defence. In seven games without Lindholm, Brandon Carlo has been paired with rookie Mason Lohrei. They have controlled 29.3 per cent of expected goals in 67:55 of even-strength ice time.
The Bruins have an obvious need for a left-handed top-four defenceman. Hanifin would solve that problem.
