Noah Hanifin Claims He Didn’t Hold The Flames Hostage

Noah Hanifin Claims He Didn’t Hold The Flames Hostage

Noah Hanifin was traded to the Golden Knights and now that the dust has settled, the former Flames defenseman spilled the tea on everything that went behind it. More than anything, Hanifin wants to set the record straight that he didn’t hold the Flames hostage.

VIA Sportsnet:

“I was never holding the Flames hostage,” said the 27-year-old defenceman from his hotel room in suburban Vegas.  

“That was one of the more difficult things to hear towards the end because I personally felt I was never doing that.

“Talking to Connie (Flames GM Craig Conroy) I don’t think either side felt that.”

There is some truth to what he’s saying and I’ll give the perfect example of why. Vladimir Tarasenko held the Senators hostage. He gave the Sens one team and had a full no-move. It’s either trade me to the Panthers or get nothing. That’s what happened. Tarasenko owns a home in Florida, which ultimately likely was the reason for his request.

Hanifin didn’t have a no-move. He had an eight-team no-trade list. He wanted the Lightning but ultimately gave a list of teams that he would be willing to sign long term with.

“I only had an eight-team no-trade clause, so I was never going to be able to say, ‘no,’” said Hanifin, who reportedly had a new contract in place with Tampa Bay had the Flames been able to broker a deal there. 

“I felt I should give Calgary a list of teams I would sign with, and then it got out there I was holding the team hostage and would only sign with one team.

“I wasn’t ever going to sign an extension just anywhere in the league. 

“I don’t think any player in the NHL would do that.”

So, where would he have signed?

“Preferably east coast, close to home,” said the Boston native.

“But then you have to find teams in playoff contention and teams with money and space that want you. It boils down to a few teams.

“It was positioned almost like I was doing it to spite Calgary, to hurt them. 

“That was never the case.

“I was being honest with them.

“Calgary was going to do what was best for them, and I wanted to do what worked best for me and my family, and if that wasn’t a fit, that’s business.”

Hanifin might have wanted Tampa, but he got his good buddy Jack Eichel instead. Weird how it all worked out.

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