LATEST | The verdict is in for the trade market's top player Noah Hanifin and the Flames

While speculation has been rampant around the pending UFA all season, reports now indicate that Noah Hanifin will not resign in Calgary, meaning it's a near certainty that he'll be moved before the deadline.

It's been widely reported that Hanifin prefers to sign long term in the USA this summer, and given the expectedly high price to acquire him, that will likely mean none of the four Canadian teams in a playoff spot will have interest.

Further still, Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli says Hanifin may already know where he intends to sign, meaning almost any team acquiring him would look at him as a rental.




While the Lightning are in need of defence having lost Mikhail Sergachev for the season, they have depleted their assets over the course of several trade deadlines - the team doesn't have a first round pick until 2026.

And while he may be a great fit and wants to go there, Seravalli's DFO Rundown co-host Jason Gregor pointed out that he doesn't think Tampa could even sign him unless captain and franchise legend Steven Stamkos walks.

If his heart is set on one destination, that might severely limit Craig Conroy's trade options when it comes to Noah Hanifin.