Noah Hanifin: all the signs point to him being traded this summer

The term “off-season” in the National Hockey League really doesn’t live up to its name.

In fact, the off-season is anything but dead, especially at the start of the season, when the draft and the opening of the free-agent market are approaching.

Transaction rumours are in full swing, especially now that the playoffs are over.

Many players are at the center of rumors, either because they want a change of scenery, or simply because their team wants to trade them.

What’s more, even if the rumours revolve around Pierre-Luc Dubois, certain players aren’t the only ones likely to change address.

In fact, every team has a few players who could leave via trade in the coming weeks.

Every day, various NHL whistleblowers report some very interesting rumours.

The most recent involves Calgary Flames defenseman Noah Hanifin.

Sharks and Karlsson on same page seeking a trade, plus latest rumblings on Meier, Barbashev, Hellebuyck, and more in weekend Rumblings ⤵️

via @TheAthletic https://t.co/AqORscZeFT

– Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 16, 2023

According to renowned informer Pierre LeBrun, all indications are that Hanifin could very well be traded this summer.

That’s what we read in one of LeBrun’s recent articles.

Why would the Flames trade Hanifin?

Well, simply because the 26-year-old defenseman won’t sign an extension in Calgary, according to Pierre LeBrun.

According to Pierre LeBrun, there will be movement in Calgary this summer! 👀🔥
Note that Noah Hanifin, Tyler Toffoli and Elias Lindholm are all out of contract beyond the 2023-24 season! 😬 pic.twitter.com/xwoFv48v3s

– RDS (@RDSca) June 16, 2023

Hanifin currently has one year remaining on his $4.95 million contract, which is why the Flames may want to trade him this summer to avoid losing him for nothing next summer.

Hanifin is a former fifth overall pick of the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2015 auction who never quite lived up to the potential many saw in him.

Even so, Hanifin has posted career-best two point totals over the past two seasons, amassing 48 points (10-38 in 81 games) in 2021-2022 and 38 points (7-31 in 81 games) in 2022-2023.

Still, these are solid numbers that will make Hanifin quite a coveted player on the trade market this summer.

Several teams will clearly be trying to get their hands on Hanifin’s mobile offensive defenseman.

We can’t wait to see where he’ll be traded, and at what price.

We could very well see a Damon Severson-style trade, where Hanifin signs a multi-season contract extension before being traded to his new team.

It’s something to keep an eye on.

In a gust

– Will he be the CH’s choice?

– Logical.

– Read more.

– Good for the Sens.

– A real circus.