The Flames are incredibly limited regarding who they can trade with. If Calgary wants to recoup worthwhile assets, they will have no choice but to retain salary.

Dream on...

That's fine for Vladar alone with retention but it's nowhere near enough for Hanifin or Lindholm --without-- retention. Calgary doesn't have to trade anyone now and either player will fetch more than this even as a deadline rental. All three players are on team friendly contracts too so no the Flames won't have to retain to get a worthwhile return.

Who else can they trade with when more and more teams are going to be cap-strapped the closer we get to the season while simultaneously getting worthwhile assets? At least in this deal Calgary assures themselves two 2nds and a 3rd and is able to actually fill out their roster. They have less than $2 mil in space now with at least four skaters that they still need to sign.

Sorry, $2.4 mil

You're completely out of touch with reality.

Wow - are you serious? The picks would barely cover the retention, never mind the players.

Wow you actually seriously think this is a legit trade? I just assumed being probably one of the most rediculously one sided trades I've seen on here, that you were obviously making a joke trade.