2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[Lewis_D]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Yeah I dont get why some posters are being mocked when there is some very recent history being ignored or dismissed by some.

Seems like there's just as much recent history being ignored on both sides. Feels like we went through this exact thing last year when everyone was livid Markstrom didn't get moved at the deadline... I'd say that worked out pretty well for Calgary in the end did it not?

[TheIronMaiden]

No point in being a doomer until we see what the return is.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Lewis_D

Seems like there's just as much recent history being ignored on both sides. Feels like we went through this exact thing last year when everyone was livid Markstrom didn't get moved at the deadline... I'd say that worked out pretty well for Calgary in the end did it not?

Different scenario, Markstrom had more than 1 year remaining on his contract.

[Hockey-and_stuff]

I am in on the trade Kadri front, but until something happens to fill his spot in the org, whether its the sudden level up of a C prospect or something happening externally (trade, UFA), I don't see the Flames being too interested in moving him.

From an organizational view, the Flames need him and have nothing to replace him long term. They will of course listen on offers but unless someone either offers them what they're looking for (A true 1C player) or makes an outlandish offer (ex top 5 pick in next years draft) they won't be moving him.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by Lewis_D

Seems like there's just as much recent history being ignored on both sides. Feels like we went through this exact thing last year when everyone was livid Markstrom didn't get moved at the deadline... I'd say that worked out pretty well for Calgary in the end did it not?

He also narrowed it down to one team and that team didn’t budge at the deadline but came back in the summer. So yeah the best of a bad situation I guess? To say that it couldn’t have been better seems short sighted and part of the issue at large.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Hockey-and_stuff

I am in on the trade Kadri front, but until something happens to fill his spot in the org, whether its the sudden level up of a C prospect or something happening externally (trade, UFA), I don't see the Flames being too interested in moving him.

From an organizational view, the Flames need him and have nothing to replace him long term. They will of course listen on offers but unless someone either offers them what they're looking for (A true 1C player) or makes an outlandish offer (ex top 5 pick in next years draft) they won't be moving him.

And of course, until Kadri indicates he'll waive his NTC, which he's up to now at least, he's indicated he doesn't want to move.

[Dienasty]

Originally Posted by Beninho

I refuse to be outraged until there is something to be outraged about. Going into the season with Rasmus may not be ideal but pretty sure they got a great return for Markstrom over the summer and kings ransom for Lindholm with no extension before deadline.

The Flames were not going to move Andersson last year, they still probably would like to keep him on a good deal. He is only 28, plays a premium position, developed by the org and clearly is tough as nails considering the injury he played on. Talking about “they should have traded him last year” is pointless because the Flames did not want to move on and probably still would rather not. It’s not as cut and dry as some people are making it to be, this is a complicated situation Conroy is navigating.

Pretty sure that is the frustration. The team seems to lack a defined long term objective, and they pivoted because some veterans overperformed right before the deadline.

Trading Andersson was an easy decision to make if they looked at what the franchises objective is in 3-5 years.

Flames at the deadline didn't #### OR get off the pot. Now there is nervousness over Andersson (and he has every right to do it) controlling where he would sign long term.

The loyalty to the veterans over the future cornerstones (Coronato/Wolf/Parekh) and the fans last year was disappointing.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

I also see this as another example of a growing trend of players exercising more control over where they go. NTC are part of it, but if you don't have a full one, you can still engineer outcomes by being clear where you will/won't sign. Carolina looked past that when they acquired Rantanen and it burned them (though they did a nice job of recouping assets by flipping him).

And this will start to happen more with prospects and even at the draft. Montreal didn't pass over Michkov as much as he passed over them. He didn't end up in Philly by fluke - he engineered it to happen.

So maybe it does require a different operating model for teams like the Flames. But this is going to increase the advantage that certain markets have who are destinations because teams will exert control to end up there, which pushes the acquisition prices down for those teams.

This is the crux of it. Players have greater control than ever before in where they play. When star players approach free agency, they'll balk at any destination that doesn't meet their salary and location preference. This severely limits the options teams have in finding trade partners, and drives down the price.

As a low-tier destination, the Flames are adapting to this new normal by being generous and solicitous with players. Which works to an extent. But when push comes to shove, players are going to do what's best for them, not the team that owns their rights.

The upshot is the Flames are at a handicap compared to a lot of teams, not only in attracting and keeping star players, but in getting value for them even when the tough decision is made to trade them.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Unless you know the deals offered at any given time, I don't see how anyone can criticize the moves not made.

While your statement is 100% accurate, it won't stop many from complaining about the imaginary deals they turned down.

They should have traded him to Boston for pick #7 and drafted Hagens.

[Harry Lime]

Originally Posted by Sec214

Lomberg isn’t getting shipped anywhere.

100%.
Backlund, weegar, lomberg, kadri are all the type of guys you want on a team to instill work ethic and a winning attitude on young players. Their value to the Flames outstrip anything you could get in trade.

[Royle9]

Zary I don’t think they’d trade want to move, but if it improved returns then potentially.
I think Weegar could be the next captain, doubt he’s moved he wants to be here.
Bahl safe too.

[Lewis_D]

Originally Posted by Toonage

He also narrowed it down to one team and that team didn’t budge at the deadline but came back in the summer. So yeah the best of a bad situation I guess? To say that it couldn’t have been better seems short sighted and part of the issue at large.

Oh sorry my bad, I didn't know you were in the boardroom with Conroy and knew all the other offers on the table.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by Lewis_D

Oh sorry my bad, I didn't know you were in the boardroom with Conroy and knew all the other offers on the table.

I clearly didn’t say or infer that and Markstrom narrowing it down to the Devils was reported.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Lewis_D

Seems like there's just as much recent history being ignored on both sides. Feels like we went through this exact thing last year when everyone was livid Markstrom didn't get moved at the deadline... I'd say that worked out pretty well for Calgary in the end did it not?

We don't know if the original deal NJ offered was better than the one reached in the summer. Calgary was a highly motivated seller once the relationship with Markstrom soured.

[saillias]

Dante Fabbro just re-upped with CBJ. There goes the other right shot D on the market. Just Ekblad and Ras now.

[ResAlien]

Can you imagine is Anderson walks to UFA by refusing to sign an extension anywhere? So we all turn on him or have we already turned the page on his flames tenure?

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by ResAlien

Can you imagine is Anderson walks to UFA by refusing to sign an extension anywhere? So we all turn on him or have we already turned the page on his flames tenure?

I wouldn't fault a player at all for doing what's best for him. I'd fault management for letting it happen.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by ResAlien

Can you imagine is Anderson walks to UFA by refusing to sign an extension anywhere? So we all turn on him or have we already turned the page on his flames tenure?

Flames are not going to let him walk, my guess he is moved likely before the season starts

Only difference is if its a trade without a new contract, return will be less.

[dammage79]

Well, there should be a strong market for Razz whether an extension is in place or not. A cheap 2.5m top 4 RHS Defenseman is literally the best asset available right now.

Hopefully the Flames aren't being too finicky on the return because just getting one quality asset back for him is good enough for me.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by saillias

Dante Fabbro just re-upped with CBJ. There goes the other right shot D on the market.

Also one destination for Andersson probably off the market.