Dennis Wideman open to trade from Flames: report

Calgary Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman said he is willing to waive his no-trade clause, the Calgary Herald reported Thursday.
"If that's something that [the Flames] want to do, then they can call and I definitely would be open to it," Wideman told the newspaper. "I think, as a player, you don't want to be anywhere that you're not wanted. So if they want to move you and someone wants to take you, then it's nice to go somewhere like that if that's the case. … And if I don't hear anything, then I guess I'm here."

Wideman, 33, is in the final year of a five-year, $26.25 million contract (average annual value $5.25 million) and can become an unrestricted free agent after this season. The NHL Trade Deadline is March 1 at 3 p.m. ET.
Wideman was a healthy scratch Tuesday, when the Flames defeated the Nashville Predators 6-5 in overtime, and he will not play Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Calgary acquired defenseman Michael Stone in a trade with the Arizona Coyotes on Monday for two draft picks, and signed defenseman Matt Bartkowski on Feb. 16.
"Anytime you're at this point of the year and you're not playing and you're a [pending] UFA, you know your name is going to be out there," Wideman said of trade talk. "At least, you hope it is, that's for sure. If it's not out there, then that's a bad sign."
Wideman has three goals and 13 assists in 52 games this season. He has 285 points (97 goals, 288 assists) in 810 regular-season games in 12 seasons with the Flames, Washington Capitals, St. Louis Blues, Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers, and 32 points (one goal, 31 assists) in 55 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
"You just have to be ready and practice well, practice hard and keep yourself ready," Wideman said. "And if you get your chance, you have to make sure that they don't have an opportunity to take you out.
"I just want to help this team as much as I can, for when I'm here, so I just have to be ready to play. And if it's somewhere else, then I'll cross that bridge when it gets there. … But my concentration right now is helping the Flames make the playoffs."