Potential trade candidates for the Flames, how the Panthers might replace sidelined winger Brad Marchand, and the latest on the Canadiens in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

CALGARY SUN: Kent Wilson expects the rebuilding Flames will be outside the playoff picture again by the March trade deadline. He looked at several players who could be moved out by then.

Morgan Frost is one candidate. The 27-year-old center can become an unrestricted free agent next July. A strong performance by Frost this season could make him an attractive trade target for clubs seeking depth at center.

Zach Whitecloud could be the Flames’ most valuable trade chip. The 29-year-old defenseman has two years remaining on his contract with an affordable average annual value of $2.75 million. Wilson believes the Flames will retain him for this season to mentor their younger defensemen, but he could be moved this season if Simon Nemec and Zayne Parekh make major strides.

Calgary Flames center Morgan Frost (NHL Images)

Like Frost, Ryan Strome is a center who is UFA-eligible next July. However, the 33-year-old must have a better effort than his disappointing 21-point effort last season to garner much interest in the trade market.

Winger Joel Farabee and young defenseman Hunter Brzustewicz could also become trade candidates. However, the Flames could re-sign Farabee while Brzustewicz could be stashed in the minors for another season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Frost and Whitecloud have the most value as trade chips, with the latter likely to draw the most attention if he becomes available. It would be worthwhile to monitor their performances this season if the Flames are sellers again at the trade deadline.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Ryan Lambert recently examined ways the Florida Panthers could replace sidelined winger Brad Marchand until the 37-year-old returns from surgery later this season.

One option is to work the waiver wire in the hope a reasonable short-term solution becomes available. Lambert also recommended signing free-agent forward Michael Bunting, or simply gutting it out until Marchand returns, with the latter perhaps the most likely outcome.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lambert observed the Panthers don’t have much salary-cap space, plus Marchand might return by the end of October at the latest. Given those factors and the overall improvement in their roster’s health entering this season, they’ll likely wait for Marchand to return.

THE ATHLETIC: In his latest mailbag segment, Arpon Basu reported Montreal Canadiens defenseman Adam Engstrom has appeared in trade rumors.

Engstrom, 22, is among the Canadiens’ top prospects. He made his NHL debut last season, appearing in 15 games.

According to Basu, teams have asked about Engstrom in trade discussions, and the Canadiens are open to moving him. However, they haven’t moved him yet because they see him as having considerable value.

Basu also noted that Engstrom is among several mobile puck-moving defensemen on the Canadiens blueline who aren’t overly imposing physically. He feels that could elevate the importance of Arber Xhekaj and/or Jayden Struble to the Habs’ defense corps.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Basu pointed out the Canadiens have Lane Hutson, Mike Matheson, Noah Dobson and Alex Carrier, who play a style similar to Engstrom’s. David Reinbacher is another, but Basu pointed out that he has a bit of a physical edge to his game when he reaches his peak comfort zone.

Xhekaj and Struble have been mentioned as trade candidates this summer, especially Xhekaj. However, they could stick around to maintain some physicality within their defense corps if the Canadiens are open to including Engstrom in a deal that addresses their need for a second-line forward, preferably a center.