2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[traptor]

I wouldnt hate a package of 1st + bourque +Schmidt.


Bourque probably doesn't end up being any better then frost though, and feels redundant with Frost and Zary already here.
Bischel feels a little redundant with the emergence if Kuzzy


Schmidt is a really interesting piece. Definirely boom or bust, but there is high skill there.


I'd swap Bourque for Hemming if possible though. A top 6 power forward prospect would be a nice addition to our pool.
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[Harry Lime]

Originally Posted by traptor

I wouldnt hate a package of 1st + bourque +Schmidt.


Bourque probably doesn't end up being any better then frost though, and feels redundant with Frost and Zary already here.
Bischel feels a little redundant with the emergence if Kuzzy


Schmidt is a really interesting piece. Definirely boom or bust, but there is high skill there.


I'd swap Bourque for Hemming if possible though. A top 6 power forward prospect would be a nice addition to our pool.
.

To be clear, the depth on the LD would be Bicshel-Bahl-Kuzy. To say that he doesn't fill a big enough hole in the lineup would be a little disingenuous. I like the idea of big physical stay at home LD, and mobile offensive RD.

If Mews or any of the other D prospects hit, the Flames will have an abundance of riches to play with, if the regular NHL is set.

[Nelson]

I don’t think there is a fit with Dallas. Seravalli said yesterday, on Flames Talk, the Flames’ price for Andersson, is a 1st + a good prospect, the equivalent of 2 1sts. I think that price presents a problem, because I don’t think the Stars will subtract Bichsel off their roster. The only other prospect who could qualify as a good prospect, the equivalent of a 1st round pick, is Hemming. Hemming is a winger. He had a 21 NHLe in his D+1 year. He has a 44 NHLe so far in his D+2 year, but basically, I think the Flames will be able to do better than Hemming in the “a good prospect” slot of their price. Maybe Conroy really likes Hemming though, or maybe the Stars are willing to trade Bichsel, and then I’d be wrong. But I’m skeptical there is a fit with Dallas.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

They did try him up the lineup:
Robertson - Johnston - Bourque - Bourque was on this line for most of Q1.
81 mins, 0GF, 4GA, -4, 48.1%CF, 56.0%xG.

Robertson - Hintz - Bourque - is a line the Stars are trying now.
53 mins, 4GF, 5GA, -1 58.0%CF, 52.5%xG

The rest of the time Bourque played with a combination of Hryckowian, Back, Steel, and Seguin.

As for AHL stats in 2023-24, both Zary and Bourque were 22 year olds. Bourque had 1.08PPG, while Zary had 1.67PPG before his call up. The year before as 21 year olds Bourque was a 0.67PPG player, while Zary was a 0.81PPG player. Similarly in the NHL Bourque is playing at a 27 point pace while Zary is playing at a 38 point pace.

So yes Zary's full season numbers as a 21 year old are 20 points shy of Bourque as a 22 year old, but Zary was already in the NHL at that time.

Bourque was also playing with Stankoven in the AHL who essentially drove that line. Stankoven got recalled, and Bourque passed him in scoring.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

Bourque was also playing with Stankoven in the AHL who essentially drove that line. Stankoven got recalled, and Bourque passed him in scoring.

The main thing Bourque has going for him is that he is a right shot center with the versatility to play on the wing. Those guys will get more chances.

The problem though is that he doesn't have top 6 skill, nor does he have the size or physicality that most teams prefer for centers in the bottom 6.

He'd be fine for roster depth, but not a trade target. I'd rather the Flames just ask for a 2nd or 3rd round pick and take our chances than add another depth player that doesn't move the needle at all. Bourque's production isn't suffering because the Stars are a deep team. The Stars a good team because they don't need to play depth players higher in the line-up than they are suited to. He is exactly where he should be.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

The main thing Bourque has going for him is that he is a right shot center with the versatility to play on the wing. Those guys will get more chances.

The problem though is that he doesn't have top 6 skill, nor does he have the size or physicality that most teams prefer for centers in the bottom 6.

He'd be fine for roster depth, but not a trade target. I'd rather the Flames just ask for a 2nd or 3rd round pick and take our chances than add another depth player that doesn't move the needle at all. Bourque's production isn't suffering because the Stars are a deep team. The Stars a good team because they don't need to play depth players higher in the line-up than they are suited to. He is exactly where he should be.

He is a modern day Jamie Lundmark.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

Well said. I also don’t think the Flames need or must get some crazy huge return for the 3 big assets. Like, make sure you’re getting 1st rounders, maybe a prospect or 2 in each trade. You definitely do not need a sum of crappy parts, just shoot for like a great asset in return or couple really good ones don’t get greedy (this is what Murray does though). Take the magic beans. Get as many as you can. Stop asking for a ####ing player back. In every trade they’ve made that AaronGavey is convinced are rebuilding trades, they’re getting players back.

Steinberg this week with Seravalli suggested he's hearing the equivalent of two first round picks for Andersson and a focus on quality over quantity.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I don't think there is an 'anti-tank' crowd.


I have been very vocal for a rebuild now for a long time. What I disagree with is posts that try to say that the Flames are not currently in a rebuild, as well as posts wanting to trade-out Andersson, Kadri and Coleman ASAP in order to tank 'properly'.


It seems like a good 95% (if not more) understand that a rebuild is happening. The main bone of contention seems to be from a very small handful of posters continually stating (and demanding) that until Andersson AND Kadri AND Coleman get traded NOW, the Flames are screwing this up, while completely ignoring facts like contenders who want to add those players haven't yet accrued enough cap space, while also ignoring that the Flames are only a few points from last place in the league.


Just show a little patience. Those bad teams are going to win their share of games still. There is no need to panic, and fill up every thread with this panic about still holding onto those three players, and complaining LOUDLY after every single win. It is tedious to read (or skip) through so many of these posts daily.


I trust that Conroy knows that these 3 players aren't part of the future here in Calgary, and that they do hold value, and that they are all likely traded out this season. I would be shocked if the Flames don't end up comfortably in the bottom 3 of the standings when the season ends. I really don't see the need to panic about it. I will panic about it when the trade deadline passes and there aren't moves made, and the Flames are in the mushy middle at that time.

Nor is there a crowd calling people losers or weirdos!

Some way over the top commentary above.

Some of us don't see dread in every single Flame news item and never will. Some of us see the actual actions and don't twist in the wind with every media report that suggests the team won't do what they're already doing.

Pushing back on that dread with actual facts isn't name calling or protecting a safe space or any of the garbage produced above.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Nor is there a crowd calling people losers or weirdos!

Some way over the top commentary above.

Some of us don't see dread in every single Flame news item and never will. Some of us see the actual actions and don't twist in the wind with every media report that suggests the team won't do what they're already doing.

Pushing back on that dread with actual facts isn't name calling or protecting a safe space or any of the garbage produced above.

I read that and thought WTF - no one ever said that. What is weird is reading that into the responses you and the other people listed (including me) make.

"The Flames are not rebuilding and their management won't support ot for these reasons..."

"That's not the case IMO and this is why the reasons you gave don't stand up...."

"How dare you call me a loser".

It's the old "I'm entitled to my opinion" stance where the person who says that proceeds to get very offended when someone questions their opinion and pushes back.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

It's more that people are generating their own facts that are divorced from reality.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but they aren't entitled to their own facts.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

It's more that people are generating their own facts that are divorced from reality.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but they aren't entitled to their own facts.

True, but it's also the reaction to being challenged on those facts. And reading "you are a loser and weirdo" into those pushbacks.

[Badgers Nose]

Why is this site so meta lately. It’s debates about how to debate.

Way more interesting to puzzle over how crappy a Ras trade to Dallas would be.

Very crappy it looks like. Screw Dallas.

Ras is having a career year and I want a team to pay accordingly. Minimum should be the Carlo package from last year.

[Roko]

I agree. Dallas is not the right fit in my mind unless they increase assets. San Jose still would be a fun spot if they can get an extension sorted.

[Rhett44]

No more rebiggle, time to extend Andersson and become buyers!

Who is available?!

[The Original FFIV]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

Why is this site so meta lately. It’s debates about how to debate.

Way more interesting to puzzle over how crappy a Ras trade to Dallas would be.

Very crappy it looks like. Screw Dallas.

Ras is having a career year and I want a team to pay accordingly. Minimum should be the Carlo package from last year.

Agreed. Sucks when low tax teams know they have all the leverage and don’t have to pony up fair value. I would be leery dealing with Nill, very shrewd GM and one of those guys who will wait you out.

But per Sec’s list of teams he would extend with, VGK and DAL stand out as teams that legit need RHD. But again, they know that and will low ball accordingly. Need a team to step up with a good rental package and put some heat on the low ball teams, and if they don’t up their offers, he goes as a rental

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by The Original FFIV

Agreed. Sucks when low tax teams know they have all the leverage and don’t have to pony up fair value. I would be leery dealing with Nill, very shrewd GM and one of those guys who will wait you out.

But per Sec’s list of teams he would extend with, VGK and DAL stand out as teams that legit need RHD. But again, they know that and will low ball accordingly. Need a team to step up with a good rental package and put some heat on the low ball teams, and if they don’t up their offers, he goes as a rental

It's to be expected that the teams that most want Andersson have the least to give because (a) they are top teams, with older players, draft late and therefore don't have a lot of stud prospects (b) all their good prospects are already core team members (c) they've already traded picks in their climb.

The biggest return would come from a team exiting their rebuild who sees a hole in their lineup. But even those teams will be reluctant to part with stud prospects.

[The Original FFIV]

Here’s a buyers remorse article. Lots of these players have trade protection but also might be good candidates to take on with a sweetener and LoL at the leafs. Way to use that cap space wizard

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...-agency-teams/

[Gaudreau is a Ninja]

Originally Posted by Rhett44

No more rebiggle, time to extend Andersson and become buyers!

Who is available?!

The Flames are trading Andersson even if they are in a playoff spot. They are going to get a nice return and will replace Andersson with this kid playing for Canada at the world juniors

[taxbuster]

Originally Posted by The Original FFIV

Here’s a buyers remorse article. Lots of these players have trade protection but also might be good candidates to take on with a sweetener and LoL at the leafs. Way to use that cap space wizard

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...-agency-teams/

Gist of the article for those w/out an account?

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Nor is there a crowd calling people losers or weirdos!

Some way over the top commentary above.

Some of us don't see dread in every single Flame news item and never will. Some of us see the actual actions and don't twist in the wind with every media report that suggests the team won't do what they're already doing.

Pushing back on that dread with actual facts isn't name calling or protecting a safe space or any of the garbage produced above.

Seems like there is one group saying others are “anti-tank” and the other group is “refusing to see they are rebuilding”. Those seem to be the swiping statements and major division when I think it is more of an opinion of how the team is operating.

The big thing for me is how proactive the team will be with their roster this year? Their start seemed to be forcing their hand to go beyond Andersson (who 99% of fans expect to be traded) and consider dealing 34 year old Coleman and 35 year old Kadri to ensure they bottom out and add several other future pieces.