2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[Wolfman]

NHL teams know what they're getting in Andersson, Kadri and Coleman. They're values will not drop any time soon.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

I think you are parsing his words a little unfairly. "Almost certainly is too strong for your liking? OK how about, "Past history strongly indicates". Cliff gives a rather reasonable explanation as to why their value will decrease over time.

I am reading about a dozen posters mocking all the "panic" being displayed. Everything written by SuperMatt and Cliff for example seems rational. You can disagree with him, but throwing out terms like panic is just exaggerating to make a point.

The way I see it, Flames management are a currently a little closer to being reluctant to trade Kadri and Coleman, vs. proactively seeking the best return in a trade.

I am basing that on multiple media reports and not the fact that they have oodles of cap space or didn't make any additions last year.

Personally I'm hoping that management changes their thinking (which is entirely possible and I'm not expecting a press release to that effect) or that the media reports are wrong.

If using the word panic is triggering for people I apologize. The true definition of the word is probably stronger than I needed.

But the point still stands doesn't it?

This is the second time you've called me for pushing back on a group of fans that are impatient. Isn't that the point of a discussion forum? In my opinion, it's not wise to react as strongly to the media reports because they don't match what is actually happening.

I mean if person x logs into the site and posts a comment that suggests things are going badly because person x in Toronto said so, why can't I point out the impatience?

Don't think I've been mean, or belittling or personally attacked anyone.

[Flames_F.T.W]

Originally Posted by Wolfman

I understand the last 30 years have been bad. Flames are in 32nd place right now. What does trading Kadri and Coleman do to improve those odds? I would wait til they ask to be moved or the best offer comes at the deadline. I trust Conroy's plan.

I'm worried about an injury or teams pivoting to players like Brayden Schenn. They waited till the deadline to trade Hanifin and to a lesser extent Tanev and the returns were pretty underwhelming. I'm not convinced they're proactively looking to make a deal.

My hope is that all the GMs know that there's a price for Kadri, Coleman and Andersson and that if it's met, they'll pull the trigger, like the Lindholm deal.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Flames_F.T.W

30 years of mediocrity... I'd say we've been patient for long enough. Let's build a team right and add a few more picks by trading aging veterans... That might be the plan, but it might not. The lack of transparency is what worries me

As long as you have something to worry about I guess. There has never really been a team that has been “transparent” in what they are trying to do.

[Vinny01]

Steinberg mentioned to Frank yesterday that the Flames knew in November 2023 they were definitely trading Lindholm and that deal came together in late January 2024. We need to likely wait another 1-2 months before we see any major trade action

[jmac98]

Originally Posted by Wolfman

I understand the last 30 years have been bad. Flames are in 32nd place right now. What does trading Kadri and Coleman do to improve those odds? I would wait til they ask to be moved or the best offer comes at the deadline. I trust Conroy's plan.

They’re good players and are capable of helping the team get on a few low key win streaks. Not enough to get them in the playoffs, but enough to possibly push them out of a bottom 10 finish, which ultimately would just be detrimental. Moving them would also clearly define the team direction, at least for the current year.

I’m fine if they wait until the deadline as well, but if they’ve made a decision on how they’re moving forward then I guess ultimately the best time to trade any of these players is nothing more than whenever an offer comes in that satisfie the parties involved.

[Flames_F.T.W]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

As long as you have something to worry about I guess. There has never really been a team that has been “transparent” in what they are trying to do.

There's regular reporting about GMs gauging interest on their players. The Blues have been discussed for weeks now about potentially moving some vets

[FlamesAddiction]

Buyers prefer to wait until the deadline. I'm not convinced that you get more for a player now when so many potential buyers are still uncertain on where they stand and are less likely to want to take risks.

People might want CC to make trades now, but it takes two to tango, and the line between buyers and sellers just hasn't been defined yet.

[Cappy]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

Everyone wants the Flames to suck fast, they can't handle the anticipation craig is building by sucking slowly and gently. Don't worry, good things are coming up the pipe if we are nice and patient early. If we get all rammy and desperate it would be a mistake.

lots of phrasing choices in this

Spoiler!

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by Flames_F.T.W

30 years of mediocrity... I'd say we've been patient for long enough. Let's build a team right and add a few more picks by trading aging veterans... That might be the plan, but it might not. The lack of transparency is what worries me

The Flames are not the government or your spouse.

[Wolfman]

Originally Posted by jmac98

They’re good players and are capable of helping the team get on a few low key win streaks. Not enough to get them in the playoffs, but enough to possibly push them out of a bottom 10 finish, which ultimately would just be detrimental. Moving them would also clearly define the team direction, at least for the current year.

I’m fine if they wait until the deadline as well, but if they’ve made a decision on how they’re moving forward then I guess ultimately the best time to trade any of these players is nothing more than whenever an offer comes in that satisfie the parties involved.

The moves that Conroy has made or more importantly not made define the direction of this team. He has made room for younger players and kept his promise when he took over. I think we know what direction he is headed.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Bingo

If using the word panic is triggering for people I apologize. The true definition of the word is probably stronger than I needed.

But the point still stands doesn't it?

This is the second time you've called me for pushing back on a group of fans that are impatient. Isn't that the point of a discussion forum? In my opinion, it's not wise to react as strongly to the media reports because they don't match what is actually happening.

I mean if person x logs into the site and posts a comment that suggests things are going badly because person x in Toronto said so, why can't I point out the impatience?

Don't think I've been mean, or belittling or personally attacked anyone.

How is it even impatience?

I don't think there has been on post the last 24 hours that is angry that the Flames have not made a trade yet.

People just want the Flames to be open to moving any veteran on this roster, and not keep hearing things like "I think he’s a huge leader in that room, and frankly, they’re not shopping Coleman. What’s happened is that a number of teams have checked in with GM Craig Conroy and said, ‘If you ever get there closer to March 6, we’d love to have a chance to acquire Coleman" because the reality is that Conroy should be more proactively shopping these players.

And I think people keep falsely saying this is just some Toronto media, or national media story that's being made up.

Pat Steinberg has spend the last two weeks saying that he has heard from the organization that they are not trading Kadri or Coleman unless those players ask for a trade.

Francis has pretty much said the same. And they have spent the better part of that time really championing why it's smart to not trade those veterans because they mean to much to building a winning culture.

People are reacting to what the Flames management is intentionally feeding to both key local media members (Steinberg, Francis) as well as the main national media that is generally very trusted and not just making up rumors (Friedman, Lebrun, Dreger). People are downplaying these media reports like the most connected local and national media members are rumor reports from Eklund.

I don't know how people reacting to what the organization is telling them is being impatient or panic. Steinberg and Francis aren't continually beating this drum on local radio unless it's what the organization wants to tell their fans. And they are telling their fans this to prepare them to be ready for a reality that Kadri and Coleman aren't moved this season, because they know how much noise there is around the fanbase to move those players.

Maybe the lede in all of this is that those players have already asked for trades, which is why the Flames are trying to keep things close to their chests and really reiterating they aren't open to moving them yet. But that would be speculation at this point and fans are just reacting to what the organization is intentionally telling them.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I mean if person x logs into the site and posts a comment that suggests things are going badly because person x in Toronto said so, why can't I point out the impatience?

When do you think it will be legitimate for fans who want a deep rebuild to be concerned? You’ve already suggested that it won’t be a big deal if Kadri and Coleman aren’t moved by the deadline. So you’ll be dismissive of frustration until when - the 2026-27 deadline?

[Bonded]

We will see. I will judge them on what they actually do and not media stories and hits. Anyways, I think those 'trade requests' will sort themselves out pretty quickly if they continue to be at the bottom of the standings.

[Rhett44]

I think fans have the right to be worried when Friedman, Dreger and Steinberg have all been saying the same thing the past few weeks. These are all reputable insiders who get information from both the teams and other GMs.

The Flames have not had a long history of being proactive with roster moves and willing to trade non expiring contracts. Right now it does not matter because we are already in last place. But ideally you trade Coleman and Kadri while you can still get lots of value from them. That value will likely go down next year because they will be one year older, which is why you trade both before the deadline.

In addition, trading both for futures gives us more draft pick leverage and gives us a higher chance of losing each game this year and next year, and it is extremely important we do not fall out of a top 3 draft pick this year.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

When do you think it will be legitimate for fans who want a deep rebuild to be concerned? You’ve already suggested that it won’t be a big deal if Kadri and Coleman aren’t moved by the deadline. So you’ll be dismissive of frustration until when - the 2026-27 deadline?

I’m pretty patient but not moving Andersson would be the definitive line for me that the management team is bad but I think the chances are pretty low on that one. I’d like them to move Kadri and it will put some doubt in my mind if he isn’t gone this year.
Coleman, is tougher to judge them on as he basically has a NMC

[Wolfman]

Nobody knows what teams are offering for Kadri and Coleman.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Bingo

If using the word panic is triggering for people I apologize. The true definition of the word is probably stronger than I needed.

But the point still stands doesn't it?

This is the second time you've called me for pushing back on a group of fans that are impatient. Isn't that the point of a discussion forum? In my opinion, it's not wise to react as strongly to the media reports because they don't match what is actually happening.

I mean if person x logs into the site and posts a comment that suggests things are going badly because person x in Toronto said so, why can't I point out the impatience?

Don't think I've been mean, or belittling or personally attacked anyone.

Didn't really mean to call you out specifically for pushing back. In relation to your previous post, I was really only commenting on your reference to Cliff saying that the value of Kadri and Coleman will decrease over time. That's all. Never once thought you belittled or attacked anyone and if that is what my message implied, I should have worded it better.

More broadly (and not directed at you) I just see so many comments mocking the general panic. And that word gets used over and over.

If Steinberg reports multiple times that he hears Flames current thinking is that Kadri only gets dealt if he asks for a trade, IMO it's not panic to believe that and want to discuss that. People are of course welcome to believe that Flames are trolling Steinberg. Personally I kind of doubt that.

Did you think Cliff's post was an over-reaction? Or Super Matt? Or me believing that Steinberg probably has it right (but only insofar as it stands today).

I just think the number of people that are proclaiming Flames are doomed to never properly rebuild is actually quite small and are outnumbered by those that constantly refer to them.

[devo22]

I'm not worried about the talking heads at all. Actions speak louder than words, and even though the Flames haven't talked about tearing it down, their moves these past couple of years have been nothing but that. I'll judge Conroy and ownership by their moves until the deadline, not by what the talking heads say in November.

[The EBUG's EBUG]

*Organization with long term history of waiting too long to move assets and demanding hockey ops attempt to remain competitive at the expense of long term roster construction.

*Local and national media consistently reporting that the organization has no interest in moving core older players unless they ask to be moved and trying to sell a "one year faceplant"

Some fans on here: "Why the panic guys? They're obviously going to rebuild, stop being impatient."