2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by Wolven

It is a shame because this conversation could be a lot more fun. I had a thought about gamifying it and try to simulate the bidding war between the ~6 teams that have been rumoured to be interested in Andersson and put together the various initial bids that Conroy has obviously rejected as well as the follow up bids that are likely taking place right now.

The complexity of the situation is what makes it interesting and the effort many of you make to dumb it down is not.

Then start with that rather than Misa and Johnston and you’ll probably get more engagement. There isn’t really much room besides saying it won’t happen when you start with two trades that won’t happen.

[traptor]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Wouldn't said impatient ownership have directed Conroy to add at last year's deadline with the team in a playoff spot, and then again this summer with the team missing out by a point last year and brining all the players back?

Wouldn't said impatient ownership have said bring back or re-sign Andersson to keep that team together that you plan to supplement with the $20M in cap space?

I don't think the point is that ownership is so impatient they're demanding an all-in move right now. I think it's that their patience is limited with a retool and that they're not willing to do a longterm tear it down rebuild.

It seems pretty clear the retooling window runs through to when the new arena opens. If the team misses the playoffs every year until then, that’s still close to six straight years out, which isn't insignificant, but I wouldn't compare it to the full rebuilds the Sharks and Hawks are performing.

I imagine that the "building" moves, making trades and signing UFA's, are going to start over the next year or two.

It does sound like they made some swings this year in UFA, just that nothing connected.

Ownership doesn't have the patience for a full rebuild, and they’re clearly not inclined to force a tank either.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

Makes sense.

So, three avenues to acquire a top center:

1) Top 5 pick (highest likelihood to draft one, harder to bounce back and build back up to playoff contention quickly)
2) Investing more draft resources (budget, personnel, picks) in hopes of consistently hitting on your drafts
3) Trade

It's still early in this rebuild, but adding more first round picks for roster players effectively has Conroy's hook in the water on all three routes.

If they don't bottom out and they continue to add picks (and keep most of them) AND the amateur scouting continues its recent run of solid drafts, they'll have a good chance of producing a good center or two with options 2 and 3.

Stock the system, add picks, and use those picks to add toolsy players that could outperform their draft slot or make a bold trade when the rare center gets traded.

The other thing that is interesting about the article is it suggests that this is the 2nd most valuable piece to a championship team:

Elite first-line winger to support the elite centre.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by traptor

I don't think the point is that ownership is so impatient they're demanding an all-in move right now. I think it's that their patience is limited with a retool and that they're not willing to do a longterm tear it down rebuild.

It seems pretty clear the retooling window runs through to when the new arena opens. If the team misses the playoffs every year until then, that’s still close to six straight years out, which isn't insignificant, but I wouldn't compare it to the full rebuilds the Sharks and Hawks are performing.

I imagine that the "building" moves, making trades and signing UFA's, are going to start over the next year or two.

It does sound like they made some swings this year in UFA, just that nothing connected.

Ownership doesn't have the patience for a full rebuild, and they’re clearly not inclined to force a tank either.

Not sure I'd want a full rebuild either if that meant say 9 years out of the playoffs.

I'm not that young a guy ... I don't want to just give away say 30% of the hockey seasons I have left!

But calling Marner's agent and then being quiet after isn't really going into the UFA market in my mind.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by traptor

I don't think the point is that ownership is so impatient they're demanding an all-in move right now. I think it's that their patience is limited with a retool and that they're not willing to do a longterm tear it down rebuild.

It seems pretty clear the retooling window runs through to when the new arena opens. If the team misses the playoffs every year until then, that’s still close to six straight years out, which isn't insignificant, but I wouldn't compare it to the full rebuilds the Sharks and Hawks are performing.

I imagine that the "building" moves, making trades and signing UFA's, are going to start over the next year or two.

It does sound like they made some swings this year in UFA, just that nothing connected.

Ownership doesn't have the patience for a full rebuild, and they’re clearly not inclined to force a tank either.

May not be a patience thing.
Perhaps they don't think a full tank works.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Wolven

I've had no issue with the pushback, I also do not think that Johnston is likely to be traded.

It is the thoughtless blanket statements that take away from the conversation instead of building on it that grinds my gears. It is one of the reasons this conversation never progresses beyond someone throwing out a speculative idea and then the same group of people driving by saying "NEVAAAAAAAR".

It is a shame because this conversation could be a lot more fun. I had a thought about gamifying it and try to simulate the bidding war between the ~6 teams that have been rumoured to be interested in Andersson and put together the various initial bids that Conroy has obviously rejected as well as the follow up bids that are likely taking place right now.

Then maybe the more casual posters could start to understand that we are not just talking about the value of Andersson in a vacuum, but we are talking about the value of Andersson in a seller's market where there are no other real options for teams to acquire a player like Andersson and 6-10 teams all trying to get him at different points in time.

The complexity of the situation is what makes it interesting and the effort many of you make to dumb it down is not.

We need to be playing with the right pieces to make the game fun. I am all for discussing value of players especially when they are rumored to be available which is why I have put together trade packages for Robertson or McTavish but when it comes to Johnston there is no point. Johnston just turned 22 in May and already has multiple 30 goal seasons under his belt and just signed an extension. Likely the most untouchable player on the roster.

Andersson doesn’t even get the conversation started let alone highlight a package to acquire the player. If Dallas wants Andersson badly they have a lot of other pieces to start a trade with other than their young superstar who along with Ottenger, Heiskenan, Harley and Rantanen are the foundation of this team.

Dallas added the superstar mid season and made the coaching change after. They do not need any major surgery to enter this season. Robertson likely will force their hand because he is due a Rantanen level contract which is the only reason his name is out there. The Stars have Johnston locked for 5 he is not someone they are worried about in the short term so he would clearly not be available for anything short of a top 3 player being on the market.

[traptor]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

May not be a patience thing.
Perhaps they don't think a full tank works.

Yeah, that’s fair. Who knows what their exact motivation is, it could very well be that they just don’t see it as an ideal strategy.

I think it’s a mix of several factors, and while I don’t necessarily agree with the approach, I can understand it.

This market probably isn’t well-suited for a long, drawn-out rebuild when considering market size, the direct market competition up north and how attractive the market is to players when the team’s not winning. From a business standpoint, I don’t think ownership has the appetite for that kind of timeline. And as you mentioned, I do think they place real value on maintaining a consistently competitive culture.

I’d define their strategy as a retool with a five-year window, aiming to stay competitive throughout. Develop the prospect pipeline, move expiring contracts, and supplement the core by acquiring younger players through trades.

I’m sure they’re hoping to get a bit of lottery luck during that stretch too.

[traptor]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Not sure I'd want a full rebuild either if that meant say 9 years out of the playoffs.

I'm not that young a guy ... I don't want to just give away say 30% of the hockey seasons I have left!

But calling Marner's agent and then being quiet after isn't really going into the UFA market in my mind.

I heard on the radio that they made a pitch to Lindgren as well.
Who knows though, maybe it was speculation.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by traptor

I heard on the radio that they made a pitch to Lindgren as well.
Who knows though, maybe it was speculation.

Even if they did it is pretty hard to get mad about the contract he signed

[traptor]

Originally Posted by Bonded

Even if they did it is pretty hard to get mad about the contract he signed

Yeah it was a pretty solid deal for the Kraken

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by traptor

I heard on the radio that they made a pitch to Lindgren as well.
Who knows though, maybe it was speculation.

They clearly targeted a LHD for the top 4 this summer. We know they went hard after K’Andre Miller but we’re not willing to go where the Canes did with their offer. They did have interest in Lindgren but pivoted when they found out he wasn’t interested in coming here. They were in on Byram but while Buffalo has had several pieces the flames wanted in Cozens and Byram they lack the assets the Sabres covet (been an issue with Adams dating back to the Eichel trade talk).

I have wondered if the lack of being able to add has held up on the team moving on from Andersson? Probably not but I am still not fully sure what Conroy’s plan is in the immediate/short term

[traptor]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

They clearly targeted a LHD for the top 4 this summer. We know they went hard after K’Andre Miller but we’re not willing to go where the Canes did with their offer. They did have interest in Lindgren but pivoted when they found out he wasn’t interested in coming here. They were in on Byram but while Buffalo has had several pieces the flames wanted in Cozens and Byram they lack the assets the Sabres covet (been an issue with Adams dating back to the Eichel trade talk).

I have wondered if the lack of being able to add has held up on the team moving on from Andersson? Probably not but I am still not fully sure what Conroy’s plan is in the immediate/short term

Yeah that's curious and an interesting thought.

I hope they're not holding up dealing him until they can bring in a replacement but it's very plausible to me.

It feels like they've left no rock unturned with replacing him. And with the rumors of a Vegas deal would have been done if Hague was willing to sign here, does signal that me even more. Wouldn't VGK just adjust to compensate for Hague not being included? Maybe the Flames held it up because they didn't have another D replacement.


If the Flames are deadset on being competitive I could see why they wouldn't want to go into the season without a top4 D replacement for Rasmus, especially when you're already relying on a rookie to step into a top 4 spot.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by browntrout

I will say this, I am often amazed at GM's that don't sacrifice young cost controlled players, is Johnson a better player with more value, than Andersson, for sure, no one will debate that that, but is Dallas a more well rounded team, able to finally get "over the hump" with Andersson adding to there too 4, one could also make a logical argument for that case as well.

Maybe on some level Dallas realizes they need to make a trade like this, but perhaps they are waiting till the deadline next year, hoping Conroy buckles or a another trade partner steps up.

Either way if Dallas does nothing and they don't win a Stanley Cup, hockey writers will tear him apart, saying he missed looking at the big picture, if he does sacrifice a young player like Johnson, and it backfires, hockey writers will tear him apart again saying it was a short sighted trade.

For me you trade a player like Johnson any day of the week if your team is better in the end.

No way, man.

[Rutuu]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Not sure I'd want a full rebuild either if that meant say 9 years out of the playoffs.

I'm not that young a guy ... I don't want to just give away say 30% of the hockey seasons I have left!

But calling Marner's agent and then being quiet after isn't really going into the UFA market in my mind.

We've missed the playoffs the last 3yrs...we're on the flight path for a 9yr failed rebuild already, because we failed to rip the band aid off. Andersson should have been a 1st in 2023's draft, and we're talking about David Edstrom, Perrault or Cowan making the team next year. Instead we lost two years of development and rebuilding. Time is an asset that needs to be managed as well by a GM. Wolf will be on his big deal, and he only played 2 full seasons, because we didn't trade markstrom earlier and let him play. Dostal has the same arc, but hes on a team that has drafted top talent and should be ascending the next few seasons. We're looking to dip

The longer we delay tge rebuilding moves the longer its going to take unfortunately...barring straight lady luck giving us a kiss.

[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

The other thing that is interesting about the article is it suggests that this is the 2nd most valuable piece to a championship team:

Elite first-line winger to support the elite centre.

That also makes sense, especially for the teams without the "Franchise" center.

The Crosby and Malkin's of the world can elevate good players, whereas the two-way guys like Krejci/Bergeron had their offensive games lifted somewhat playing with elite wingers.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Rutuu

We've missed the playoffs the last 3yrs...we're on the flight path for a 9yr failed rebuild already, because we failed to rip the band aid off. Andersson should have been a 1st in 2023's draft, and we're talking about David Edstrom, Perrault or Cowan making the team next year. Instead we lost two years of development and rebuilding. Time is an asset that needs to be managed as well by a GM. Wolf will be on his big deal, and he only played 2 full seasons, because we didn't trade markstrom earlier and let him play. Dostal has the same arc, but hes on a team that has drafted top talent and should be ascending the next few seasons. We're looking to dip

The longer we delay tge rebuilding moves the longer its going to take unfortunately...barring straight lady luck giving us a kiss.

Yeah maybe.

I'm a little more optimistic that good asset management decisions (trading 7 UFAs, moving Markstrom two years early), and two really good drafts in a row have the team on an arch that can be pretty successful.

I'm not opposed to having an "off" season and drafting high this year though!

But I'll never be on the trade every veteran two years early train.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I have wondered if the lack of being able to add has held up on the team moving on from Andersson? Probably not but I am still not fully sure what Conroy’s plan is in the immediate/short term

Getting something better than the Hanifin return for now. Don’t see how getting a LHD would affect trading Andersson.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by Rutuu

We've missed the playoffs the last 3yrs...we're on the flight path for a 9yr failed rebuild already, because we failed to rip the band aid off. Andersson should have been a 1st in 2023's draft, and we're talking about David Edstrom, Perrault or Cowan making the team next year. Instead we lost two years of development and rebuilding. Time is an asset that needs to be managed as well by a GM. Wolf will be on his big deal, and he only played 2 full seasons, because we didn't trade markstrom earlier and let him play. Dostal has the same arc, but hes on a team that has drafted top talent and should be ascending the next few seasons. We're looking to dip

The longer we delay tge rebuilding moves the longer its going to take unfortunately...barring straight lady luck giving us a kiss.

They weren’t going to trade Andersson without giving the team a second chance. 24 is the earliest draft that was realistic in my opinion. Last year was the first year of the rebuild imo.

[FBI]

oh where oh where have the rumors gone
oh where oh where could they be
with the gifs cut short and the royle texts gone
oh where oh where could they be

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by Rutuu

We've missed the playoffs the last 3yrs...we're on the flight path for a 9yr failed rebuild already, because we failed to rip the band aid off. Andersson should have been a 1st in 2023's draft, and we're talking about David Edstrom, Perrault or Cowan making the team next year. Instead we lost two years of development and rebuilding. Time is an asset that needs to be managed as well by a GM. Wolf will be on his big deal, and he only played 2 full seasons, because we didn't trade markstrom earlier and let him play. Dostal has the same arc, but hes on a team that has drafted top talent and should be ascending the next few seasons. We're looking to dip

The longer we delay tge rebuilding moves the longer its going to take unfortunately...barring straight lady luck giving us a kiss.

Man you just saved us all six years of angst. I can log back in when the calendar hits 2031 and hope things line-up better for the 31-32 season.

Hopefully I'll be dead by then.