Report: Multiple Flames rescinded trade requests after Sutter firing

Several Calgary Flames players took back trade requests after the club fired Darryl Sutter as head coach earlier this week, Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli revealed Thursday on Sportsnet 960.

"In talking to various people around the league that have connections to Calgary, the sentiment was any trade requests that were out there, or demands so to speak, have been rescinded now that there's been a coaching change," Seravalli said. "That, I think, opens the door for some players that might have been hesitating to eventually re-sign. That'll of course be the call of whoever's the next general manager."

Seravalli added, "I believe there was at least a handful of players who had spoken honestly and frankly to (former general manger) Brad Treliving and (president of hockey operations) Don Maloney, who were in the room for the exit interviews, to say exactly that. Essentially, it's as simple as, 'If this guy's back, I don't wanna play here.'"

The Flames axed Sutter on Monday after three seasons behind the bench and a Jack Adams Award in 2022. Calgary missed the playoffs this year after a dramatic offseason that saw Johnny Gaudreau leave in free agency and Matthew Tkachuk demand out instead of re-signing as a restricted free agent, while the club landed Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar via trade.

Huberdeau disappointed with 55 points after netting 115 last season with the Florida Panthers, and he admitted Monday that he and Sutter didn't click.

"Having a new coach is going to help my game and my confidence too," Huberdeau said.

It's unknown which players requested trades if Sutter stayed, but veterans Mikael Backlund and Elias Lindholm, both eligible to sign extensions this summer, were noncommittal when asked about re-upping with the Flames at their end-of-season interviews.

Other key 2024 free agents on the Flames' docket include Tyler Toffoli, Noah Hanifin, Chris Tanev, and Nikita Zadorov.

Calgary also parted ways with GM Brad Treliving after the regular season and is in the midst of searching for his replacement on top of finding a new bench boss.