It’s time for some more NHL rumours. We’re just days away from the trade deadline and teams are scrambling to figure out their next course of action. Teams have to decide whether or not go all-in at the deadline. There are some hard choices that need to be made. This edition of NHL rumours deals with the Calgary Flames and their quest for a defenceman.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Calgary Flames Kicking Tires on Defenceman
Rumour: Anthony Di Marco let’s it be known the Calgary Flames have looked into the cost to aquire Brandon Carlo from the Boston Bruins.
Sounds like the #Flames have reached out on #nhlbruins defenseman Brandon Carlo. Teams have yet to dive into details, but CGY is interested.
Not too many players on BOS’ roster not available for the right price.@DailyFaceoff
— Anthony Di Marco (@ADiMarco25) March 3, 2025
Why Calgary Is Interested
The Flames have struggled all season to find a steady fourth defenceman to play alongside MacKenzie Weegar. The team’s experiments with Jake Bean, Tyson Barrie, and Daniil Miromanov have not worked as expected. Bean, in particular, never meshed well with Weegar and has spent most of the year as a sixth or seventh blueliner. Similarly, the Flames gave Miromanov a long look beside Weegar, but he never secured a permanent spot. Miromanov frequently made mistakes, and his offensive upside never materialized. Recently, Sportsnet’s Elliot Friedman mentioned in the latest edition of the 32 Thoughts Podcast that Calgary plans to move Miromanov because he isn’t getting enough playing time.
This fuels speculation that Calgary is actively looking to make a move on defence. In our Flames trade deadline preview, we thoroughly examined this issue and discussed potential solutions to address the team’s defensive needs. Consequently, it now seems that Calgary believes Carlo could be the right fit to upgrade their defence.
Brandon Carlo’s Fit
Carlo, a 6-foot-5, 28-year-old defenceman with over 600 NHL games under his belt, would significantly improve the Flames’ defence. His strong defensive game would complement Weegar’s style, allowing him to focus more on offense. The Flames are eager to replicate the success they’ve had pairing Rasmus Andersson and Kevin Bahl by matching similar playing styles. Moreover, Carlo is a shutdown defenceman who could help enhance the Flames’ penalty kill. He is also known for his shot-blocking and physical play, all of which would greatly benefit Calgary.
Why This Rumour Works
Calgary has a significant gap on their second defence pairing, and Carlo would fill that role immediately, bringing both strong defensive play and stability. His style would not only benefit Weegar this season, but it would also complement the Flames’ top prospect, Zayne Parekh, in the near future. Additionally, Carlo’s contract, which extends through the 2026-27 season, makes him even more enticing for Calgary. Flames general manager Craig Conroy is unlikely to invest in a rental at the deadline. Instead, he is much more inclined to make a move that will help the team both this year and in the future.
Why It Won’t Happen
As with any trade rumour, the biggest obstacle to this deal is cost. Calgary is unlikely to part with high draft picks or top prospects for a fourth defenceman. After all, they are still in year two of a rebuild, and while they certainly need a fourth defenceman, they are not in a position to overpay.
Another issue with Carlo is that he is a right-shot defenceman. This would force Weegar to play on his offside. Ideally, the Flames would prefer a left-shot blueliner. Their top defencemen, Andersson and Weegar, are both right-handed, as is their top prospect, Parekh. Therefore, while Carlo fits well from a playing style and contract perspective, a left-shot defender would likely serve as a better long-term fit for the Flames.
In conclusion, Calgary will likely continue to explore options for their top-four defence. However, it seems they may ultimately address this issue in the offseason.
Main photo by: Terrence Lee-Imagn Images
The post NHL Rumours: Calgary Kicking Tires On Defenceman appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.