Kristen Anderson of Postmedia spoke with Calgary Flames GM Brad Treliving today, who explained that he’s confident a contract will be worked out with Noah Hanifin before training camp starts in a few weeks. Hanifin is the team’s final unsigned restricted free agent after trading away Hunter Shinkaruk and signing Kerby Rychel earlier today, and could be in line for a long-term deal.
Acquired in the Dougie Hamilton trade earlier this year, Hanifin could be a key part of the Flames rebounding to the playoffs this season. The team is hoping that a shake up on defense as well as several new faces up front and behind the bench will allow a talented group to get back into the postseason hunt. Treliving doesn’t seem concerned about a potential hold out, telling Anderson the contract “will get done, but it’s just not done yet.”
- While the Montreal Canadiens signed Shinkaruk quickly after acquiring him from the Flames today, they have another outstanding restricted free agent left to sign as well. Michael McCarron still doesn’t have a contract for the 2017-18 season, but Marc Antoine Godin of The Athletic believes it will be resolved in one way or another soon. Godin didn’t elaborate on whether that meant a contract or a trade, but we’ll likely soon find out. McCarron was a first round pick of the Canadiens in 2013, but to this point has shown almost no offensive ability at the NHL level and has struggled to even stay in the lineup. With just eight points in 70 career NHL contests, the 23-year old may be running out of time in Montreal to make an impact.
- It was recently reported by James Mirtle of The Athletic that Calvin Pickard has been shopped by the Toronto Maple Leafs, and he doubled down today in his “State of the Franchise” column (subscription required) saying the goaltender is “being offered around the league” currently. That’s not the only Maple Leafs player available though, as Mirtle also states that depth forward Josh Leivo is “available on the trade market.” That shouldn’t come as much of a surprise given that Leivo asked for a trade earlier this year due to his lack of playing time, but some believed that the new front office would push to have him inserted into the lineup on a more regular basis. Leivo has produced 22 points in 57 NHL games during his short career, and has done that with extremely limited minutes. If someone does want to take a shot on his offensive upside, the Maple Leafs may be listening.