October 17, 2023 | 5:17pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

FLAMES EXPLORING MARKET ON VLADAR

Dan Vladar, goaltender

The Calgary Flames are looking to generate salary cap space and ease their logjam at the goaltending position and TFP has learned the team is once again surveying the trade landscape.

According to separate sources, the Flames have engaged in discussions with some teams about the availability of goalie Dan Vladar, and while they are only in the exploratory stage, those conversations are expected to continue this week.

Vladar, 26, has one more year left on his contract after this season and comes with a $2.2 million salary cap hit.

The Flames held trade talks with teams in the off-season, but the asking price – which remains unknown – was considered too high at the time, according to one NHL source. It is unclear what the Flames are looking for now.

Moving Vladar would create an opportunity for the Flames to call up young netminder Dustin Wolf to backup or split duties with Jacob Markstrom.

Meanwhile, reports last week suggested the Flames would revisit contract discussions with veteran defenceman Noah Hanifin, who is in the final year of his contract.

It is believed Hanifin is still not interested in exploring a contract extension with Calgary, as he voiced so after last season. He is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next summer and is unlikely to be moved unless the Flames fall out of the playoff hunt later this season.