The Calgary Flames are one of seven Canadian teams in the NHL at this time. The Flames are working through a rebuild, but are doing so in a rather contentious environment. Especially with the recent narrative around players not wanting to play north of the border.

There have been two star players who have requested trades from Canadian teams. Brady Tkachuk wanted to be traded to the Florida Panthers. And Connor Hellebuyck was dealt to the New Jersey Devils. A third player, Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin, has shunned any potential trade to Canada.

Flames general manager Craig Conroy has heard of this narrative. However, his view of the matter is quite different than what's been discussed in the media.

“I'll admit, I call a lot of these (agents). ‘They're not coming to Canada' or ‘They're not coming to your team.' But this is where I want to change the narrative. When we got (defenseman Jacob Middleton), we weren't on his 15-team no-trade list. I think it is changing here, but it takes time,” the Flames general manager said, via TSN.

Conroy referenced a trade with the Minnesota Wild from the summer. His Flames sent forward Blake Coleman and defenseman Olli Maatta to the Wild. In exchange, they received Middleton and three draft picks.

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The Calgary general manager has experienced the Canadian market on both sides. He was a fine player in his day, and is working on building the team he spent most of his career with now. He admitted that there is some frustration when certain situations happen. Overall, though, he believes this narrative will change in time.

“You never know who's willing to come and who isn't. But I think as we move forward, it will change a little bit, for sure,” Conroy said.