2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Sandman

I really like the first round of this draft, and the second round is shaping up to be good too. Like Jiri said, there are some centers who have come out of nowhere (Suvanto, Shilov,Morozov, Williams, and Malhotra to name a few), plus there’s some nice wingers in Klepov and Belchetz to be had.

The real surprises have come from the backend- Piiparainen, Reid, and Carels are starting to overtake Rudolph on lists for D, then there’s dynamic offensive defensemen like Lin and Villeneuve that could also occupy the top-15. Coming up later in the round are two-way marvels in Gustafsson, Hakansson, and Schairer. Of course, Verhoeff will go in the top-two.

I think to say that this draft is “disappointing” would be way off base. Just my opinion.

So the answer is no, this draft is not weak and we do not have to be in some mad rush to fire sale our assets. That is reassuring.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by Sandman

I really like the first round of this draft, and the second round is shaping up to be good too. Like Jiri said, there are some centers who have come out of nowhere (Suvanto, Shilov,Morozov, Williams, and Malhotra to name a few), plus there’s some nice wingers in Klepov and Belchetz to be had.

The real surprises have come from the backend- Piiparainen, Reid, and Carels are starting to overtake Rudolph on lists for D, then there’s dynamic offensive defensemen like Lin and Villeneuve that could also occupy the top-15. Coming up later in the round are two-way marvels in Gustafsson, Hakansson, and Schairer. Of course, Verhoeff will go in the top-two.

I think to say that this draft is “disappointing” would be way off base. Just my opinion.

Hey Sandman,

Wondering your thoughts/coles notes on Verhoff.

From what I’ve heard/read sounds like a well rounded RHS D with a cannon. I’ve heard that his skating is so-so but skating seems like something the Flames are willing to work on and have a history of prioritizing hockey sense and competitiveness (thinking Monahan, Tkachuck, Coronato for example) over skating ability at that early age.

Do you have a good indication on how Verhoff sees/thinks the game? I’ve also seen comparisons to Ekblad, which is fine, I just question if that’s accurate how much he’s going to move the needle. Valuable piece, no question, but of the flames are able to draft him, is he the difference maker we’re all clamouring for? I’ve hear he’s as good a D prospect, outside of Makar/Schafer, as there has been over the recent past and others who aren’t as high on him.

Then again, if he profiles more like Miro Hieskanen, all situations-minute muncher who controls the play, then great. That could work well with Parekh, who’s the offensive weapon PP1 guy from the backend. Having two pairings with Verhoff and Parekh, could be very strong.

Suppose my question is, with Parekh already in the fold, do you think the Flames would want to double down on D, or are they going to lean high-end offensive winger (McKenna Stienberg) or C (Lawrence). Also, are we talking about a Hieskanen level talent or Owen Power with a better shot?

Probably getting ahead of myself but curious to know how you and others think about this.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by Rhett44

They need to trade players like Kadri, Coleman and Andersson ASAP.

We are winning way too often lately and we are trading towards not being a bottom 3 or even 5 team. These players are actively hurting our future by being on the roster, they were great players for us but we need to get value for them and trade asap.

From the sounds of it, the Canucks don’t really have many sellable assets. Kane and Sherwood are about it. Everyone else has some sort of control. They just signed Garland and his extension hasn’t even kicked in yet. Boeser also just started his extension. I’d be a bit surprised if either is moved. I think their intent on leaking that they’re ’open for business’ or whatever wording they used, is in part to get their lineup performing better. We’ve seen this card played by Doug Armstrong previously and I’m sure other teams will/do too. Also, similar to our own ownership, the Canucks seem to have an allergic reaction to anything that smells/sounds/tastes/feels like a rebuild. If the Canucks do start selling, at this point, so be it. That’s not a guarantee they finish below the Flames.

In any event, the Flames can’t control what other teams are going to do and rightly or wrongly I doubt they’re going to accelerate things just to beat other potential sellers to the punch. They didn’t do it two years ago with Tanev, Hanifin, Lindholm, Markstrom.

That said, if I were in Conroy’s shoes I would be looking to move Andersson in January (earlier, if possible). That move alone could really leave a hole in the lineup that would really drive things downhill.

[Sandman]

I really love Verhoeff, and I think the concerns around his skating are overblown. I struggle with comparisons that work when it comes to this kid, but I really believe he’s a franchise D in the making, and at the very worst- a top-pairing D. I could see him being somewhere in the stratosphere of a Hedman- one who produces at nearly a ppg clip, with a solid puck-moving, two-way game.

Verhoeff’s D-minus-1 year in the CHL was historic as far as point production, and his season-to-date in the NCAA (points per game-wise) is one of the best for a D-man of his age group in the last 35 years.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by Sandman

I really love Verhoeff, and I think the concerns around his skating are overblown. I struggle with comparisons that work when it comes to this kid, but I really believe he’s a franchise D in the making, and at the very worst- a top-pairing D. I could see him being somewhere in the stratosphere of a Hedman- one who produces at nearly a ppg clip, with a solid puck-moving, two-way game.

Verhoeff’s D-minus-1 year in the CHL was historic as far as point production, and his season-to-date in the NCAA (points per game-wise) is one of the best for a D-man of his age group in the last 30 or 40 years.

Thanks!

Another layer to the onion, could mean something could mean nothing, I’ve also heard that Verhoff lived with the Iginla’s and he is best bud’s with Reschny. Lastly, I’ve also heard Conroy has already had some firsthand viewings of him this year. Again, could mean something, could mean nothing.

My two cents, it means something. The Flames have a real interest in the player beyond, he’s really good. I think they’re tracking him quite closely.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by TOfan

Thanks!

Another layer to the onion, could mean something could mean nothing, I’ve also heard that Verhoff lived with the Iginla’s and he is best bud’s with Reschny. Lastly, I’ve also heard Conroy has already had some firsthand viewings of him this year. Again, could mean something, could mean nothing.

My two cents, it means something. The Flames have a real interest in the player beyond, he’s really good. I think they’re tracking him quite closely.

Verhoeff is my number one guy, franchise changing dman to go along with Reschny, Gridin, Coronato, Potter, whoever we get with the Vegas pick (assuming it is a forward if we pick Verhoeff), potentially Wytrnnbach, Honzek.

[Sandman]

If teams go by BPA, then I really think Verhoeff is #2 at worst. IMO, the only player good enough to unseat him as #1 is McKenna, as I still believe he’s got near-generational talent. Stenberg’s season in the SHL has been historic as well, but I’m not sure yet if he can carry a franchise.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by TOfan

Thanks!

Another layer to the onion, could mean something could mean nothing, I’ve also heard that Verhoff lived with the Iginla’s and he is best bud’s with Reschny. Lastly, I’ve also heard Conroy has already had some firsthand viewings of him this year. Again, could mean something, could mean nothing.

My two cents, it means something. The Flames have a real interest in the player beyond, he’s really good. I think they’re tracking him quite closely.

Out of thanks, but that’s very interesting!

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Sandman

If teams go by BPA, then I really think Verhoeff is #2 at worst. IMO, the only player good enough to unseat him as #1 is McKenna, as I still believe he’s got near-generational talent. Stenberg’s season in the SHL has been historic as well, but I’m not sure yet if he can carry a franchise.

If Kuznetsov is a NHL dman and if Hunter B can be a NHL dman and if Parekh can develop into an offensive dynamo and if Verhoeff is as good as I think he could be (a lot of ifs) the Flames could have their backend rebuild to a pretty elite level after this draft by pick Verhoeff

Weegar - Verhoeff
Bahl - Parekh
Kuznetsov - Hunter B

Is a pretty solid back end with some elite puck movers on it. Plus I personally think that the backend takes longer to mature so that backend could be just coming into its own in 28/29 when this team might be in a position to compete again in a serious way. They could take multiple home run shots at forwards in the rest of the 26 draft, 27 draft and 28 draft if they actually have the backend sorted out for a generation. I also happen to think that Verhoeff is the best player in the draft so I am not exactly objective.

[CFO]

Flames just need to complete amassing quality prospects. Some will hit harder then projected.

Hopefully Reschny is a Suzuki center

[Geeoff]

Originally Posted by Sandman

If teams go by BPA, then I really think Verhoeff is #2 at worst. IMO, the only player good enough to unseat him as #1 is McKenna, as I still believe he’s got near-generational talent. Stenberg’s season in the SHL has been historic as well, but I’m not sure yet if he can carry a franchise.

the nice thing is that there's 3 players in the discussion, so if we finish last, we get one of them

[Harry Lime]

I think that McKenna is a Panarin or kucherov level talent. The only thing that makes me wonder about selecting him at 1, is that it is very hard to lead a team from the wing.

We have seen that from defense. Pronger in edmonton was that entire team.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by CFO

Flames just need to complete amassing quality prospects. Some will hit harder then projected.

Hopefully Reschny is a Suzuki center

Goal really should be to have a top three prospect pool. That just gives you so many options in building your team.

[Royle9]

Well we’ve got McKenna whose favorite team was the Flames and has said he’d love to play in Calgary.
We’ve got Verhoeff who’s a Calgary kid, best friends with our AGM’s family and also would love to play in Calgary.

Only makes sense for Craig to pull a “Burkie” and find a way to draft both of them this year.

I’m hoping to have some updates I can share soon, house has been battling a wicked round of illness for a week here and we’re travelling tropical mid week.

For now I will comment and say that Hughes is almost certainly ONLY going to NJ, I don’t see him wanting to play anywhere but along side his brother and long term. It’s already out there but Nemec and 1st rounder(s) would likely be part of it.

[Roko]

Originally Posted by Royle9

Well we’ve got McKenna whose favorite team was the Flames and has said he’d love to play in Calgary.
We’ve got Verhoeff who’s a Calgary kid, best friends with our AGM’s family and also would love to play in Calgary.

Only makes sense for Craig to pull a “Burkie” and find a way to draft both of them this year.

I’m hoping to have some updates I can share soon, house has been battling a wicked round of illness for a week here and we’re travelling tropical mid week.

For now I will comment and say that Hughes is almost certainly ONLY going to NJ, I don’t see him wanting to play anywhere but along side his brother and long term. It’s already out there but Nemec and 1st rounder(s) would likely be part of it.

I’ll start a go fund me for a statue if he pulls that off. Both those players would be huge

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Royle9

Well we’ve got McKenna whose favorite team was the Flames and has said he’d love to play in Calgary.
We’ve got Verhoeff who’s a Calgary kid, best friends with our AGM’s family and also would love to play in Calgary.

Only makes sense for Craig to pull a “Burkie” and find a way to draft both of them this year.

I’m hoping to have some updates I can share soon, house has been battling a wicked round of illness for a week here and we’re travelling tropical mid week.

For now I will comment and say that Hughes is almost certainly ONLY going to NJ, I don’t see him wanting to play anywhere but along side his brother and long term. It’s already out there but Nemec and 1st rounder(s) would likely be part of it.

Not to be a Debbie downer but Gavin's favorite team was the Blackhawks.

[Vinny01]

Say the Flames draft 1st

What would you given up for 2nd?

Parekh+Potter+Vegas 1st?

Is that enough or too much?

[dammage79]

Why in hell would the Flames sacrifice center depth to draft more defensemen. Just gotta shake my head in disappointment

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Say the Flames draft 1st

What would you given up for 2nd?

Parekh+Potter+Vegas 1st?

Is that enough or too much?

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Why in hell would the Flames sacrifice center depth to draft more defensemen. Just gotta shake my head in disappointment

What center depth are you referring to? Potter? I believe there’s been quite a bit written questioning whether he would be a C at the NHL level. He certainly doesn’t have the physical attributes.