Hanifin denies putting Flames in tough spot with trade deadline decision

Noah Hanifin wants to set the record straight on the parameters surrounding his departure from Calgary.

His love and respect for the organization, and city he was proud to call home for six years, means too much for him to ignore the narrative he felt tainted his final weeks as a Flame.

“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.”

Both sides will tell you the process of finding the best trading partner for the pending free agent was a complicated one, as the return for the most sought-after defenceman at the deadline hinged on whether he was a rental.

“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.”

The swap that sent Hanifin to Vegas for a first-round pick, conditional third and Daniil Miromanov did not include a contract extension – something he said he will keep an open mind about now that he’s with an organization striving to win every year.

However, his decision not to re-sign with Calgary revolved around his desire for him and his fiancée to eventually raise a family closer to home.

“It was an extremely difficult decision because I loved the organization and the city, but when I looked at the next eight years I just thought the next chapter should be closer to home,” said Hanifin.

“I had a really hard time with it throughout the year. Playing and being around the guys was my escape from it. When I was at home it weighed on me.

“There were times I was really close to signing, but things happened on both sides that caused each side to step away.”

Hanifin said Conroy made one last attempt to sign Hanifin a week before the trade, which he said meant so much to him.

“I was so honoured and humbled by the belief Connie and the organization had in me to commit to me for eight years, but ultimately it was a family decision and Connie totally understood,” said Hanifin, who had two assists in his second game with Vegas Saturday.

“Connie has been such an important person in my career, even before he was GM.

When I was 22 and 23, and finding my game, he was a guy who encouraged me and gave me confidence and told me I could take another step and be a better player.

“That’s what made the decision so hard.

“He’s a good man and he’s going to put them in a good spot.”

Despite the fact he informed Conroy of his intentions shortly after the all-star break in early February, he said his final month in Calgary wasn’t awkward.  

“The guys were super good, they understand the business of hockey,” he said.

“Teammates love each other, and you never want to lose teammates, but that’s a reality of the sport.

“There’s a lot of pros in that locker room and they just show up and work every day.

“They didn’t treat Tanny (Chris Tanev) or Lindy (Elias Lindholm) or me any differently. 
“They did a really good job putting all the noise away and I’m grateful for that.”

Which brings us to Thursday night, when Hanifin will return to Calgary to play the Flames a mere seven days after he left the team in Tampa to join the Golden Knights.

“It will be weird coming back so soon and sitting on the other bench, but it will be good to see some people who matter because I never really got a chance to say goodbye,” said Hanifin, who is unsure how the crowd will respond to his return.

“I’m sure there are certain people who were upset reading that I was screwing over the team. I never felt I was, or that it was real, but some of them may boo, like they have for other players who left town.

“But there are lots of others who I had relationships with who will support me.

“I loved my time in Calgary and made so many friends.”

“Great city. Great memories.”