2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by bdubbs

NHL Standings: NHL Flames last place
CP: You're not last enough!

For me it's trauma baggage.

I don't want this team going on a 'run' while other teams embrace bottoming out. That's the sort of difference that swings you from a (bad example) MacKinnon tier player to a Monahan tier player, and the only difference is winning a few more meaningless games.

The focus just has to be get the players in the top tier no matter what. This year looks, at this point, to be a pretty clear Top-3, and then a 4th that could end up close just based on positional importance (Centre).

I want one of those top-3, or 4th at worst and have way less interest in the 5-10 range.

[Jason14h]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I understand the concern people have, based on the way the team has acted in the past. And like you, I would probably feel similarly, if I wasn't hearing what I've heard.

But this debate has come down to people either buying into the media reports on the one side, or judging actions and listening to the people on the other side that are saying internally, the message is very different.

I am shocked at the ability of so many people to just continually ignore the message you're sending (and I have tried to send), in favour of 3rd party, external messaging. To me, it is pretty obvious which message I would be inclined to believe.

And at worst, with conflicting messages out there, I would sit neutral.

But here we are. And it will rage on.

I'm less worried about what the media is saying and more worried that while these first 21 games may have changed some minds that a full proper rebuild is needed, the next 21 games could easily swing it back that they aren't that far off

[ForeverFlameFan]

I really hope a team like Ottawa, who knows their pick is forfeited, makes a/some dumb move(s) to keep themselves afloat.

Would love a panic trade like Yakemchuk and Jensen for Andersson. I know it wouldn't happen, but a top prospect + cap dump for Andersson would be nice from a team that is in a tight playoff race and needs all the help they can.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by PizzaManTre

Pierre Lebrun in the Athletic echoing other media members, saying ownership doesn't want to move Kadri:

"The problem, of course, is that there are few sellers with the standings so jammed up. Calgary and St. Louis are listening, for sure. But Flames ownership doesn’t want Nazem Kadri traded (he would be an obvious fit for Montreal). We’ll see if that changes over time. The Flames are in no hurry to move Blake Coleman, either, if they move him at all. But I could see the Canadiens also keeping an eye on that name"

Will be interesting to see if this is all posturing, or if Edwards is actually this stubborn about rebuilding

This is a great example of what's happening here...

Two quotes that, at first glance, seem to suggest the message many are claiming, that ownership is against moving Kadri.

'Flames ownership doesn't want him traded'. Does that say they won't trade him? No, it doesn't. What does it say? Possibly a few things, including 'we would prefer not to trade him', or 'we'll be sad when we do (because we like him and he's been a great Flame)' or 'we don't want to trade him, but it's a rebuild so we know we need to' or countless other things. It could actually mean a lot of things, but it is NOT a definitive statement that they aren't going to trade him.

Now the second bold: 'we'll see if that changes over time'... If the Flames aren't going to trade him, if they're dead set against it, no need to add that part because it WON'T change over time. If the messenger thinks that may be more posturing than stating a fact, then adding that makes a lot more sense, because they suspect that it WILL change in time (i.e. when the Flames trade him).

Of course, everyone will see what they want to see from this quote (as with all quotes), but context matters. And trying to get definitive messages from these types of things is difficult at best, and often a waste of time.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

I'm less worried about what the media is saying and more worried that while these first 21 games may have changed some minds that a full proper rebuild is needed, the next 21 games could easily swing it back that they aren't that far off

I don't think your premise that most people thought the Flames were competitive, 21 games ago, is at all accurate. Only a few posters were arguing that. I think the majority (probably vast majority) thought they were a bottom 10 team for sure.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

Well 21 games ago the majority of posts on this board were saying one of the following

1. The Flames missed the playoffs by 1 pt, are adding the next Cale Makar in Parekh, the young players should continue to grow, and guys like Shags, Frost and Farabee will bounce back. This is a playoff contending team.

2. Wolf will prevent the Flames from EVER bottoming out, so why even discuss it.

3. The Flames will never do tear it down to the studs rebuild, so no matter what Kadri, Coleman and Weegar arent moving (Or something about Culture)

If the majority of people on this board believed at least some of the above only 21 games ago, is it so unthinkable that the Flames owner, management, etc could believe the same? And could still believe it?

Could they not think this year is the aberration, not last? That adding a top pick, plus the young guys taking a step forward, plus bounce back years (next season) from Shags, Farabee, Weegar and Frost, plus a UFA or 2 addition and they are back to being a mid 90's point team?

I don't think this is accurate at all.

[NegativeSpace]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Maybe a different way to put it is if Steinberg believes what he is saying.

I missed the bolded so not sure what that is. But yeah if any of these guys want out, none of it really matters.

Another approach to this question is to consider whether people truly believe that Steinberg / Francis are the media mouth pieces for the organization. If so, then they may have inside information that they are told not to share - meaning that they do not necessarily believe what is being said. In addition, in such a role they may also receive information from the organization to see how that would play with the fan base. I hae my doubts that the organization operates in that way though.


Personally, I think that Steinberg and Francis publish what they are permitted to say/publish (as any journalist would do) and they tow the company line until they learn / are permitted to publish otherwise. So, culture and not trading vets unless required to do so are the talking points until they receive information otherwise.


I do not see that as a reason to discount either the more public journalists or the local insiders. Both are hearing different things, and there may very well be different factions within the hockey operations department.


At the end, it would surprise me if an intelligent person like Conroy is looking at this team right now, with the lack of additions for a few years now, and thinks that this team minus Andersson needs another try to compete. They were never contenders. Sure this team could do better next year without the hellish schedule to start. I would be shocked if that isn't obvious to everyone in hockey ops.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

Well 21 games ago the majority of posts on this board were saying one of the following

3. The Flames will never do tear it down to the studs rebuild, so no matter what Kadri, Coleman and Weegar arent moving (Or something about Culture)

I think the majority of people saying that were the ones whining that the Flames wouldn’t rebuild lol

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I don't think this is accurate at all.

I was definitely in the hard regression camp.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

Well 21 games ago the majority of posts on this board were saying one of the following

1. The Flames missed the playoffs by 1 pt, are adding the next Cale Makar in Parekh, the young players should continue to grow, and guys like Shags, Frost and Farabee will bounce back. This is a playoff contending team.

I strongly disagree that the majority of the board felt this way. I think many were expecting a step back.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

This is a great example of what's happening here...

Two quotes that, at first glance, seem to suggest the message many are claiming, that ownership is against moving Kadri.

'Flames ownership doesn't want him traded'. Does that say they won't trade him? No, it doesn't. What does it say? Possibly a few things, including 'we would prefer not to trade him', or 'we'll be sad when we do (because we like him and he's been a great Flame)' or 'we don't want to trade him, but it's a rebuild so we know we need to' or countless other things. It could actually mean a lot of things, but it is NOT a definitive statement that they aren't going to trade him.

Now the second bold: 'we'll see if that changes over time'... If the Flames aren't going to trade him, if they're dead set against it, no need to add that part because it WON'T change over time. If the messenger thinks that may be more posturing than stating a fact, then adding that makes a lot more sense, because they suspect that it WILL change in time (i.e. when the Flames trade him).

Of course, everyone will see what they want to see from this quote (as with all quotes), but context matters. And trying to get definitive messages from these types of things is difficult at best, and often a waste of time.

What most media members report is what they hear now. They are not in the prediction game for the most part.

As you say, most reports can cut both ways. I could state that my sources tell me the Flames are willing to trade Kadri and Coleman for the right price and I will never be proven wrong. They either get traded or the right price was never met.

IMO the interesting convo today is whether the Flames have actually started shopping these guys.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

2. Wolf will prevent the Flames from EVER bottoming out, so why even discuss it.

I heard this alot.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

I heard this alot.

From people who didn't think they would rebuild.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

From people who didn't think they would rebuild.

I always thought that view was entirely consistent with supporting the team's current approach.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

I always thought that view was entirely consistent with supporting the team's current approach.

People don't even agree on what the current approach is. I think it's a rebuild. And just as many people were saying that Wolf would be great but that it would be hard to overcome the lesser defence on the team.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

I strongly disagree that the majority of the board felt this way. I think many were expecting a step back.

It's pretty rational that most fans would expect a step back this year. Nearly every player overachieved last year and the team did nothing to improve this season. I'm not saying Conroy wanted this to happen, but he had to know that a repeat performance, even with decent goaltending was extremely unlikely.

The big concern for me now is whether they can continue to be bad enough to truly benefit via the draft or if they are going to hold onto players like Coleman, Kadri, Andersson for far too long until they eventually start pulling the team out of the mess somewhat and back into the mucky middle wasteland.

If staying the course too long here ends up costing us McKenna, Verhoeff or Sternberg etc. it would be an absolute travesty and set the team back years.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

What most media members report is what they hear now. They are not in the prediction game for the most part.

As you say, most reports can cut both ways. I could state that my sources tell me the Flames are willing to trade Kadri and Coleman for the right price and I will never be proven wrong. They either get traded or the right price was never met.

IMO the interesting convo today is whether the Flames have actually started shopping these guys.

Check out After Hours from Saturday night. Kadri was really good on it.

And of course, he was asked about being traded. And he handled that very well, and didn't give away anything, but it was plainly evident that there has already been conversation about being traded - probably lots of it - and he, IMO at least, looked very much like he expects it and is resigned to it happening.

He did not sound like a guy that doesn't think his boss is going to trade him.

[GioforPM]

How many times have coaches been given a vote of confidence by management and then fired? How many times has a player said he we wanted to re-sign with his team and then run off in free agency?

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

I strongly disagree that the majority of the board felt this way. I think many were expecting a step back.

Here is a poll taken on September 2nd.

https://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=199685

60% had them missing the playoffs.
22% bottom ten pick (I was in this camp)

[ResAlien]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Here is a poll taken on September 2nd.

https://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=199685

60% had them missing the playoffs.
22% bottom ten pick (I was in this camp)

Barely miss the playoffs and miss the playoffs are two very different things. Blame the wording of the poll as you see fit but it sounds like you're saying most people expected the Flames to continue their mushy middle history while 40% thought playoffs or better.