2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[RedHawk12]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Monahan was a fine pick at #6. I love the guy and I believe he met realistic expectations for a 6th OA.

But that 2013 draft to me seems like a perfect example of how important top 3 picks are and how those tier ledges really matter. Colorado and Florida got MacKinnon and Barkov 1st and 2nd OA. Both are franchise players and centers that put the team on championship trajectories. Three picks later, Carolina got Lindholm at #5 and the right after the Flames got Monahan at #6. Both really good players worthy of their selection place, but neither was ever going to have the franchise altering effect of Mackinnon or Barkov. Those tier ledges that drop at around the top 3 or 5 are pretty typical and really show what a just a few points in the standings can do for the next decade.

It also shows how the draft order determination doesn't really reflect the parity that exists in the NHL. The Flames and Carolina both finished with 42 points that season (48 game schedule). Florida finished with 36 and Colorado with 39. So a measly 6 and 3 points were the difference between getting Monahan or Lindholm versus MacKinnon or Barkov. You can't tell me that a team that finished with just 3 fewer points deserved that much more of a talent injection. A few points in the standings is often just random luck.

This is such a great point. Is anyone reminiscing about those amazing 2-3 extra wins we got in 2013? Don't we all much rather have MacKinnon or Barkov instead?

Similarly, anyone here going to look back fondly at the hot stretch we had in December 2025, 10 years from now? Instead of watching McKenna or Stenberg don the Flaming C, we get to watch our 12th OA pick and say, "at least Demeber 2025 was a month to remember!"

[cam_calderon]

A top 3 pick is all I want out of this season. If that is a generational player in McKenna, Stenberg or Veorhoff, that player is worth a lot more than a playoff push that sees us finish ninth or tenth in the west or bounced in round 1.

Parekh has a high ceiling, but I really don't know if we can bet on Reschny ever becoming more than an above average 2C.

[cam_calderon]

Dream scenario: We get McKenna in 2026, and a player with 1C potential in 2027. Zary rebounds and plays up to his second line potential.

McKenna - Future 1C - Coronato (who hits 35-40 goals)
Zary - Reschny - UFA signing

Frost is 3C and we round out the bottom six with some value signings.

Parekh becomes a 1/2 D and we have Wolf.

[Red Potato Standing By]

Originally Posted by RedHawk12

This is such a great point. Is anyone reminiscing about those amazing 2-3 extra wins we got in 2013? Don't we all much rather have MacKinnon or Barkov instead?

Similarly, anyone here going to look back fondly at the hot stretch we had in December 2025, 10 years from now? Instead of watching McKenna or Stenberg don the Flaming C, we get to watch our 12th OA pick and say, "at least Demeber 2025 was a month to remember!"

I am pretty sure everyone here wants a top pick this year but also realize we have no control of it so might as well cheer for the team and not worry about the losses.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Monahan was a fine pick at #6. I love the guy and I believe he met realistic expectations for a 6th OA.

But that 2013 draft to me seems like a perfect example of how important top 3 picks are and how those tier ledges really matter. Colorado and Florida got MacKinnon and Barkov 1st and 2nd OA. Both are franchise players and centers that put the team on championship trajectories. Three picks later, Carolina got Lindholm at #5 and the right after the Flames got Monahan at #6. Both really good players worthy of their selection place, but neither was ever going to have the franchise altering effect of Mackinnon or Barkov. Those tier ledges that drop at around the top 3 or 5 are pretty typical and really show what a just a few points in the standings can do for the next decade.

It also shows how the draft order determination doesn't really reflect the parity that exists in the NHL. The Flames and Carolina both finished with 42 points that season (48 game schedule). Florida finished with 36 and Colorado with 39. So a measly 6 and 3 points were the difference between getting Monahan or Lindholm versus MacKinnon or Barkov. You can't tell me that a team that finished with just 3 fewer points deserved that much more of a talent injection. A few points in the standings is often just random luck.

Just to play devils advocate here, the next time the Flames picked 6OA, they got Tkachuk. Pretty strong case to be made that in a redraft, he goes 2OA.

Agreed that the simple premise of the higher you pick, the better odds you have of picking a franchise changing player but in many, if not most, drafts, there’s a player or two who should have gone much higher and in some instances near or at the top of the draft.

[kehatch]

Originally Posted by Red Potato Standing By

I am pretty sure everyone here wants a top pick this year but also realize we have no control of it so might as well cheer for the team and not worry about the losses.

That's not true. The Flames have been out of the playoffs for 3 seasons and drafted 16, 9, 18 (15) in that time frame. But we are still built to be mediocre on the backs of guys like Kadri (35), Andersson (29), Backlund (36), Huberdeau (32), Weegar (31), Coleman (34) etc. But many here seem personally offended by the suggestion that the Flames should be more aggressive in moving veterans so we aren't perpetually mediocre.

[Red Potato Standing By]

Originally Posted by kehatch

That's not true. The Flames have been out of the playoffs for 3 seasons and drafted 16, 9, 18 (15) in that time frame. But we are still built to be mediocre on the backs of guys like Kadri (35), Andersson (29), Backlund (36), Huberdeau (32), Weegar (31), Coleman (34) etc. But many here seem personally offended by the suggestion that the Flames should be more aggressive in moving veterans so we aren't perpetually mediocre.

No they probably are okay with trading them for the right return, but also know it probably won’t happen. So why get upset about something you don’t control. Many seem to get personally offended that the flames are winning to much(they actually don’t, but see how stupid it sounds).

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by cam_calderon

Dream scenario: We get McKenna in 2026, and a player with 1C potential in 2027. Zary rebounds and plays up to his second line potential.

McKenna - Future 1C - Coronato (who hits 35-40 goals)
Zary - Reschny - UFA signing

Frost is 3C and we round out the bottom six with some value signings.

Parekh becomes a 1/2 D and we have Wolf.

I think theres a chance that if we could get McKenna that Reschny would be an adequate 1c to pair with him.

Landing a forward talent like McKenna really changes the needs of the team. Dont need to crash out forever. Parekh has game changing offensive talent on the back end. We have guys like Kuz and Bahl on the LD to be big and mean. We have good middle 6 talent. Imo we dont need a 1c and McKenna, but 1 of 2. The sooner the better. Thats why I want to tank so bad.

And yeah, we here have no control over that. But Conroy and Maloney absolutely do. Again, imo, this debate boils down to if you think value between pick 1-3 v 8-14 this year is < than the value difference between holding Andersson, Kadri, and Coleman (for example) rather than trading them for less return sooner.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Does Kuzmenko count? I'm pretty sure they'd have traded Mantha but for his injury.

I think they were both here a year, so not really.

These flip proposals are get a guy you don’t really want and then move him on a month or two later. The old ‘welcome to the team, don’t get comfortable here’ kind of trade. I just don’t see the Flames doing that.

Three way trades are more likely. And even those are rare.

[Monahammer]

Total dream that will never happen, but I wonder if the relatively poor Misa showing at WJCs makes the sharks more interested in cashing him in. They have pretty great forward prospect depth.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by RedHawk12

This is such a great point. Is anyone reminiscing about those amazing 2-3 extra wins we got in 2013? Don't we all much rather have MacKinnon or Barkov instead?

Similarly, anyone here going to look back fondly at the hot stretch we had in December 2025, 10 years from now? Instead of watching McKenna or Stenberg don the Flaming C, we get to watch our 12th OA pick and say, "at least Demeber 2025 was a month to remember!"

Yeah it sucks but this just seems to be the perennial path for this organization. On one hand it's admirable to keep plugging away but on the other hand this organization isn't going anywhere and never has since 1989. The Flames are kind of like the Chargers of the NHL. Spend most of their decades accomplishing nothing while occasionally making the playoffs and being dispatched relatively easily. There's still time so hopefully they can deal Andersson sooner than later and maybe even Coleman as well if the offers are high. Drafting in the mushy middle and outside of the top 5 will be another season of nothing for this organization.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

I think theres a chance that if we could get McKenna that Reschny would be an adequate 1c to pair with him.

Landing a forward talent like McKenna really changes the needs of the team. Dont need to crash out forever. Parekh has game changing offensive talent on the back end. We have guys like Kuz and Bahl on the LD to be big and mean. We have good middle 6 talent. Imo we dont need a 1c and McKenna, but 1 of 2. The sooner the better. Thats why I want to tank so bad.

And yeah, we here have no control over that. But Conroy and Maloney absolutely do. Again, imo, this debate boils down to if you think value between pick 1-3 v 8-14 this year is < than the value difference between holding Andersson, Kadri, and Coleman (for example) rather than trading them for less return sooner.

IMO a big factor into this season is the standings are tighter than ever. Winnipeg is last in the league on pace for 71 points and typically a 100-point team. Vancouver is 2nd last on pace for 74 points.

The Flames are just out of the bottom spot in the league but also 7 points out of the top 10.

I wonder if GM's league wide are thinking that they are 1 player away from being a contender and whatever team gets McKenna and gets him without ripping their team apart could be a contender next year. If the Jets landed McKenna, they might shoot up to as good as any team in the league.

This does open the door for the Flames to make even just a Ras trade and get far enough down to get one of the top picks.

When the world juniors are over and with Kuz playing so well with Weegar, I'd love to see Parekh come back to the Flames and play with Bahl and go with a much younger top 4 for the rest of the year. Bruce on the 3rd pairing is exciting as well.

After that I think trading Coleman this year makes way too much sense. Call up Gridin and see how this team plays.

[looooob]

Originally Posted by cam_calderon

Dream scenario: We get McKenna in 2026, and a player with 1C potential in 2027. Zary rebounds and plays up to his second line potential.

McKenna - Future 1C - Coronato (who hits 35-40 goals)
Zary - Reschny - UFA signing

Frost is 3C and we round out the bottom six with some value signings.

Parekh becomes a 1/2 D and we have Wolf.

since we are dreaming a little anyhow, no real need for UFA signing, just slot Gridin there

[cam_calderon]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

Total dream that will never happen, but I wonder if the relatively poor Misa showing at WJCs makes the sharks more interested in cashing him in. They have pretty great forward prospect depth.

Even if he were available, the Sharks are a young team on the up. What we would offer in return? Re-signed Andersson and our first? Is that even in the ballpark?

[Roko]

Apparently Minnesota still wanting to add a centre

[browntrout]

Originally Posted by cam_calderon

Even if he were available, the Sharks are a young team on the up. What we would offer in return? Re-signed Andersson and our first? Is that even in the ballpark?

If a second overall pick is having a poor performance at the WJC, and San Jose is willing to trade him, that is a serious red flag IMO, don't want him.

We need elite skill, see McKenna

[Roko]

Originally Posted by browntrout

If a second overall pick is having a poor performance at the WJC, and San Jose is willing to trade him, that is a serious red flag IMO, don't want him.

We need elite skill, see McKenna

Misa has analytically looked great at the WJC. He just has been held off the scoresheet. He is good. But also, sharks would never trade him this early i don’t think so it’s not worth discussing.

I’d love for a Misa for Andersson trade if it were realistic.

[Flamescuprun2018]

Sure sounds like almost everyone on CP wants to move our vets and then let the season play out. Curious to get a full perspective from CP faithful on the level of patience we all have allowing Conroy to negotiate proper deal(s) and risk tolerating another mushy middle finish but also whether culture/playoffs may be worth more than a top pick.

The 3 main vets in question are Andersson, Coleman and Kadri.

Can we have a poll that is something like:

Add: Keep Andersson for rest of season and add before the trade deadline to make a serious run for playoffs since we are so close. No vets moved.

Hold: Keep Andersson for rest of season but dont add before trade deadline. No vets moved.

Rebiggle: Move Andersson before trade deadline with best offer but keep rest of the main vets even if a great offer for one or more. Culture and current competitiveness remain the priority.

Retool: Move 2 main vets before trade deadline with best offers but keep Coleman or Kadri at least to maintain vet culture.

Rebuild: Move all 3 main vets before trade deadline with best offers. Risk a better finish but get the best futures from our trades.

Fire sale: Move all 3 vets before Olympics even if offers are not stellar so we can fall down the standings as soon as possible.

[cam_calderon]

Voting add should be an immediate ban.

[Red Potato Standing By]

Originally Posted by browntrout

If a second overall pick is having a poor performance at the WJC, and San Jose is willing to trade him, that is a serious red flag IMO, don't want him.

We need elite skill, see McKenna

Wasn’t he just coming off an injury? Maybe still hampering him slightly.