NHL Insider reveals which team is holding up the trade market

Every year at the NHL's trade deadline, there is always a team with the ability to set the market. That team is usually viewed as entering a complete rebuild and often have the most available assets. This year the team with the most coveted player seems to be the Calgary Flames.

Ahead of this year's deadline the Flames have already opted to trade both Nikita Zadorov and Elias Lindholm. This however, still leaves the team with Chris Tanev, Noah Hanifin, Rasmus Andersson and other lesser players available. The most coveted on that list appear to be Hanifin and Tanev.

It has been reported that as many as 13 teams are currently involved in trade talks for Tanev and Hanifin. Now according to Anthony Di Marco the reason the NHL's trade floodgates have not opened is because of Calgary.



One Calgary finally makes a decision and moves one of these players. It is likely to see the trade market take off. With less than 10 days until the deadline the Flames are not only putting themselves but other teams in a tough spot. If other teams decide to pivot too early, Calgary could find themselves with less than desirable offers, but if other teams wait too long, they could end up with nothing to show for the trade deadline.

With Craig Conroy being the general manager for his first trade deadline, it is incredibly important that he gets it right, but if he gets it wrong he could further set back a franchise already in need of desperate change.