Calgary's Noah Hanifin linked to Red Wings

It's going to be an offseason of major upheaval for the Calgary Flames, who has already said goodbye to head coach Darryl Sutter after multiple reports of discontent from the players regarding his methods. Additionally, several top line players like Elias Lindholm and Mikael Backlund have told the Flames that they do not plan on signing extensions with the team.

The Flames have already swung a deal with the New Jersey Devils, sending Tyler Toffoli (who also indicated he had no interest in signing long term in Calgary) in exchange for Yegor Sharangovich and the 80th overall pick in the 2023 draft. And now, another core piece of the Flames is essentially as good as gone in the words of Elliotte Friedman, who indicated last month that defenseman Noah Hanifin is on the verge of being moved as Toffoli was.

Could the Detroit Red Wings and Steve Yzerman be one of the teams that would come calling? According to Julian McKenzie of The Athletic, it's a possibility:

"The Detroit Red Wings come to mind. They have over $7 million in cap space even after acquiring and signing DeBrincat to a new contract this offseason. Detroit has a handful of defencemen including newest signing Shayne Gostisbehere, but landing Hanifin would be a definitive upgrade for them at the position. Also, similarly to Buffalo and Nashville, Detroit is also a playoff aspirant."

Hanifin, who racked up seven goals and 31 assists in 81 games played last season, is a pending unrestricted free agent at the end of next season with a cap hit of $4,950,000.

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