Tkachuk talks to heat up later this month
The Fourth Period: The Calgary Flames and restricted free agent Matthew Tkachuk have held general contract extension talks, but serious talks aren’t expected to get underway until later this month.
They could look a three-year bridge deal, or go up to eight years.
The Flames have around $14.5 million in salary cap space to work with. Other pending RFAs include Sam Bennett and Andrew Mangiapane among others.
The Flames are also trying to trade winger James Neal and his $5.75 million cap hit.
Potential landing spots for Brodie and Hamonic
Kent Wilson of The Athletic: The Calgary Flames need to move some salary to help re-sign restricted free agents Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett, and two goaltenders.
They’ve only selected twice in the top 50 of the draft in the past three years, and have only their No. 26 in the first two rounds this year. They’d like to add to their prospects.
The Flames have depth on the right side of their blue line and could offer up Travis Hamonic or TJ Brodie for a prospect(s) or a draft pick(s). Both Hamonic and Brodie have a year left on their contracts and the next expansion draft play roles in their eligibility.
Brodie is left-handed but plays and is more comfortable on the right side. He carries a $4.65 million cap hit.
Hamonic brings some grit to the blue line and carries a $3.875 million cap hit.
Potential trade partners and what they have to offer:
Toronto Maple Leafs – RFA Kasperi Kapanen, Connor Brown and Nazem Kadri.
Winnipeg Jets – limited draft picks but have Jack Roslovic.
Tampa Bay Lightning – may need to send money back – J.T. Miller ($5.25 million), Alex Killorn ($4.45 million) and Tyler Johnson ($5 million).
Chicago Blackhawks – not many options outside of their first and second round pick this year.
Montreal Canadiens – have the cap space to go after the top free agent defensemen and could circle back if they lose out.
Philadelphia Flyers – have a first, second and two third round picks. They likely won’t want to give up Morgan Frost for either of Brodie or Hamonic.