Noah Hanifin is still under contract with the Calgary Flames. According to multiple reports, however, the team has granted him permission to speak to interest in parties about a potential contract extension. While this is common practice, this process usually includes a trade conversation that is fairly far along.
So when Nick Kypreos broke the news earlier today, it caught some off guard. But according to Kypreos it appears that Noah Hanifin and the Tampa Bay Lightning are in agreement on a contract extension.
If these reports are true and Tampa Bay has simply manipulated this situation, it likely will not be well received. It will be interesting to see how this situation develops as it could go as far as being considered tampering or not negotiating in good faith. If nothing else, this trade deadline is going to be entertaining.
