<h2>Persistent Rumors Surrounding the Calgary Flames</h2> The Calgary Flames have consistently been at the center of trade rumors since the season's beginning. Discussions have ranged from Chris Tanev's situation, the pursuit of offensive reinforcements, to whispers about players' reluctance to don the Flames' jersey. Amidst this swirling speculation, a new rumor has emerged. <h2>Noah Hanifin's Critical Decision</h2> Eric Francis of Sportsnet has reported that the Flames have presented defender Noah Hanifin with a crucial ultimatum. The team has set a deadline for Hanifin to decide whether he will commit to a long-term extension or opt for free agency, which could likely lead to his trade. Hanifin's response to this situation underscores the weight of his decision: <q>«It's a huge decision obviously it's going to be coming to a head sooner rather than later.» - Noah Hanifin on whether he'll sign an 8-year extension with the Flames or test free agency and be subjected to an imminent trade. «My one-on-one with him ⤵️»</q> <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/EricFrancis/status/1756011227837329635?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1756011227837329635%7Ctwgr%5E1d3166b5c447d4969be6de38bdb1c81f50304af6%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bladeofsteel.com%2Fnhl%2Fnews%2Fcalgary-flames-defender-reportedly-given-an-ultimatum-that-needs-to-be-answered-now'> </a></blockquote></div> Hanifin's ambivalence suggests a pivotal moment not just for him but for the Flames as well. If I were part of the Calgary Flames organization, Hanifin's non-committal stance would prompt me to contemplate the team's future direction without him, potentially exploring trade avenues. <h2>Hanifin's Contribution and Potential Trade Value</h2> At 27, Noah Hanifin has been a stalwart on the ice for the Flames throughout the season. Over 51 games, he has accumulated 28 points, including 9 goals and 19 assists. His performance suggests that, should the Flames opt to trade him, he could command a significant return in the rental market. <div align='center' style='padding-top:20px;padding-bottom:20px;'><img src='https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/i/photo/374771.webp' width='100%' border='0' alt='image' loading='lazy' defer /></div> <h2>The Uncertainty Regarding Hanifin's Future</h2> The decision on whether Hanifin will stay with the Flames or be traded is still up in the air. However, what's clear is that the Calgary Flames cannot afford the luxury of letting a player of his caliber leave without securing something in return. The summer will reveal the ultimate outcome of this high-stakes situation. As Read on BladeofSteel - <a href='https://www.bladeofsteel.com/nhl/news/calgary-flames-defender-reportedly-given-an-ultimatum-that-needs-to-be-answered-now' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Calgary Flames defender reportedly given an ultimatum that needs to be answered now</a>