Already boasting one of the most talented and deepest rosters in the NHL, that didn’t stop Calgary Flame’s general manager Brad Treliving from bolstering his forward group at the 2022 trade deadline. Even though this trade was to add bottom-six center depth to a playoff contender, it is essential to note that this is the type of move and mindset a GM must have to make sure their team is prepared for every outcome to come playoff times. The Flames made a deadline deal without giving up any player or significant draft capital, making this a win-win deal that, no matter the outcome, doesn’t hurt you long term.
Trade Breakdown
Many expected the Chicago Blackhawks to be busier on deadline Monday as they are in the middle of a complete tear-down rebuild that saw them only make two deals today, with the first one being Marc-Andre Fleury. The next deal is the one that they completed with the Pacific Division Leading Calgary Flames that saw the Flames ship a meager 2024 fifth-round draft to the basement-dwelling Blackhawks in exchange for bottom-six forward Ryan Carpenter.
What Does Carpenter Bring to Calgary?
Ryan Carpenter joins an already crowded forward group that has seen two other forwards join the ranks before him. The 31-year-old Carpenter brings playoff experience to the Calgary Roster as he looks to challenge Sean Monahan for the fourth-line center position. Carpenter is a player that GM Brad Treliving has kept his eyes on as he had this to say about the 31-year-old center; “Ryan is a guy we liked a lot. I think he fits the style we play. He is a north-south player, an excellent penalty-killer. He plays hard. He has some sandpaper to his game. I think he’ll fit in well with us.” With that being said, it’s only high hopes for Carpenter in Calgary as he goes from a bottom team in the NHL to one of the best looking to capture their second Stanley Cup in franchise history and their first since 1989.
