6 major Calgary Flames trades that almost happened

The Calgary Flames have many near trades over their lengthy NHL history that could have significantly impacted the direction of the franchise.

Whether it was nearly landing one of the NHL’s best talents back in 2021, or sending out a franchise icon just prior to retirement, the Flames have come close on many trades that would have shocked all hockey fans.

While none of these deals ever came to fruition, it’s fun to look back and see what could have happened. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and review some of the more interesting near trades that have involved the Flames over the years…

1. Jack Eichel sweepstakes

Rumoured trade:

Calgary Flames acquire: Jack Eichel

Buffalo Sabres acquire: Matthew Tkachuk ++

During the 2021 offseason, it had become apparent that Jack Eichel’s time with the Buffalo Sabres was finished. As you would expect, many teams across the league were making calls to the Sabres trying to gauge whether or not they could pull off a trade for the now 29-year-old superstar.

While it was the Vegas Golden Knights who won out in the end, the Flames, as confirmed by Eichel himself, were in the mix the entire time.

“When it came down to it, towards the end, it was Calgary and Vegas,” Eichel said.

The package the Flames had offered was believed to consist of Matthew Tkachuk, a first-round pick, a former first-round pick, and two prospects. The fact this one never worked out stings, as the Flames have struggled over many years to bring in a true number-one centre.

For all asking, my understanding is the @NHLFlames have Tkachuk ( who is a future potential captain) an upcoming 1 Rd pick, a former 1st Rd pick, and 2 prospects in the Eichel sweepstakes with the @BuffaloSabres . @espn @NHLNetwork #HockeyTwitter .

— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) November 3, 2021

2. The better package for Tkachuk

Rumoured trade:

Calgary Flames acquire: Martin Necas, Alexander Nikishin, Jake Gardiner, one/two first-round draft picks

Carolina Hurricanes acquire: Matthew Tkachuk

Knowing they had little choice, the Flames began shopping Matthew Tkachuk early in the 2022 offseason before ultimately sending him to the Florida Panthers. That trade, as we all know, hasn’t worked out in Calgary’s favour, largely due to the decline of Jonathan Huberdeau.

Though it was the Panthers in the end, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman revealed that the Carolina Hurricanes had major interest, and put together the intriguing package mentioned above. The only thing Friedman wasn’t 100 per cent sure on was whether the deal included one or two first-round picks.

Necas has since gone on to be a star-calibre player with the Colorado Avalanche, while Alexander Nikishin is a solid up-and-coming defenceman. This is one that former Flames GM Brad Treliving certainly wishes he could have a do-over on.

3. Iginla to the Bruins

Rumoured trade:

Calgary Flames acquire: Matt Bartkowski, Alex Khoklachev, 1st round pick

Boston Bruins acquire: Jarome Iginla

With the Flames set to miss the playoffs for the fourth-straight year back in 2013, GM Jay Feaster thought he had worked out a deal to send Jarome Iginla to the Boston Bruins. The deal wound up falling through only after Iginla nixed the trade at the last minute and was instead sent to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The deal didn’t work out well for the Flames, as the forwards they received in Kenny Agostino and Ben Hanowski never panned out. The Flames also received a first-round pick in the deal, which they used to select Morgan Klimchuk, who went on to play just one NHL game.

4. Kiprusoff nixes Leafs trade

Rumoured trade:

Calgary Flames acquire: Unknown

Toronto Maple Leafs acquire: Miikka Kiprusoff

While Miikka Kiprusoff did wear teal very early in his career with the San Jose Sharks, seeing him in Toronto Maple Leafs blue would have been very unsettling for Flames fans. Believe it or not, however, that strange thought was nearly a reality.

In what was his final NHL season in 2012-13, the Leafs had put together a deal to acquire the former Vezina Trophy winner. Ultimately, Kiprusoff decided he wanted to remain in Calgary, which caused the trade to fall flat.

5. A far different outcome for Nieuwendyk

Rumoured trade:

Calgary Flames acquire: Nelson Emerson, Bob Bassen

St. Louis Blues acquire: Joe Nieuwendyk

After a disappointing 1992-93 season that ended in a first-round playoff exit, the Flames were looking to make some big changes, which included shopping Joe Nieuwendyk. The St. Louis Blues showed a ton of interest, though the reported offer above wasn’t enough for the Flames to bite.

That turned out to be the right decision, as the Flames held onto Nieuwendyk for two more seasons before trading him to the Dallas Stars for Corey Millen and Iginla, who, at the time, was just a prospect.

6. Ownership unavailable for Zucker deal

Rumoured trade:

Calgary Flames receive: Jason Zucker

Minnesota Wild receive: Michael Frolik, 2019 first-round pick

The final near trade on this list, and perhaps the most bizarre one, came during the 2018-19 campaign. The Flames, who finished that season with a 50-25-7 record, were looking to make an upgrade at the trade deadline, and believed they had done so by acquiring Jason Zucker.

The Minnesota Wild, who had Zucker at that time, also believed the deal was complete, to the point where the now 34-year-old stayed at his hotel rather than travelling with the Wild to their game that evening. Though never confirmed, it’s believed that Flames management couldn’t get a hold of owner Murray Edwards for his approval, as he was said to be out of the country at the time.

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