The Calgary Flames have claimed defenseman Joel Hanley off waivers from the Dallas Stars, per a team announcement. In now his 9th season in the NHL, Hanley has spent the last six years of his career in Texas.
Less than a week after trading pending unrestricted free agent Chris Tanev to the Stars, the General Manager of the Flames, Craig Conroy, has added a Stars defenseman to their arsenal. Primarily used as an extra defenseman throughout his tenure in Dallas, Hanley will now have the opportunity for more playing time, especially as Calgary continues to move out expiring pieces from the organization’s blue line.
A defensive defenseman through and through, Hanley has suited up in 32 games for the Stars this season, tallying three assists in the process. Averaging over 13 minutes a night for the fourth time in his career, Hanley regularly averages one blocked shot and one hit a game.
Until more trades are made in Calgary, Hanley will likely suit up on the bottom-pairing alongside fellow waiver claim, Brayden Pachal. Furthermore, Hanley may be able to replace either Noah Hanifin or Oliver Kylington on the left side of the team’s penalty-killing units if either is moved out before the trade deadline.
Yeah Conroy!! It’s almost like an extra addition from the Tanev trade. Pretty shrewd maneuvering by the new Master At Arms. For an extra year no less.
Looks like next year the Flames will have a ton of UFA capital again. You need those picks you get for nothing, No matter how low they may be.
It’s not like Conroy didn’t scout him pretty closely when they were working on the Tanev trade. It’s a low risk, any reward type of move. Let’s see what he does in a consistent 3rd pairing role. It’s working out pretty well with Pachal (whom they so happened to pick up for nothing). Conroy is absolutely stacking his defence all through the organization. It went from quite the weakness at the start of the season, to being a pretty strong position now. Building from Goaltending out … old school.
Ya losing Zadarov, Tanev, and soon Hanifin in one season is stacking the defence..
User name checks out
my thoughts exactly. no brainer there on the pick up.
I meant for the future as in Prospects. Sorry thought that was painfully obvious.